US Politics Thread |OT| THE DARKEST TIMELINE

[Great Rumbler]

NBC Universal has reportedly severed its business relationship with reality-TV star and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

CNN's Brian Stelter on Monday first reported that the network was "ending its business relationship" with Trump after the magnate railed against Mexican immigrants in his presidential announcement speech, calling them "rapists" and drug dealers.

This is beyond amazing, better than I ever could have hope for.

[Phoenix Dark]

I'll wait for Trump's response. If this is a ruse, ie "we're going to drop you for a year, and then pick everything back up" he'll gleefully tell us all.

Regardless lol @ this bum.

[Barry Egan]

Trump 2016 is the best reality show running right now.

[Great Rumbler]

Edit: Faker than fake.

[Steve Contra]

Oh god please don't re-post anything from The National Report

[Joe Molotov]

It's only fake for now. 

[bluemax]

SpaceX's resupply launch to the International Space Station crashed and burned yesterday. (It was unmaned if you were wondering why you hadn't heard about it.)

I sure am glad that the taxpayers are footing the bill for Elon "I make Steve Jobs look like Richard Stallman" Musk's model rocket club. Sergei Korolev faffed about with one of those too and look how he turned out.

Have you read Neal Stephenson's latest book? It features a character who is basically Elon Musk and he decides that the government's plan to save the human race is stupid so he builds his own rockets and flies off into space further than anyone else ever has. I stopped reading before finding out if he is successful, the book is totally aimed at the SpaceX loving crowd though.

It also features an analogue of Neal DeGrasse Tyson.

[Kara]

I've only read Snow Crash and The Diamond Age. After the Diamond Age I kind of never wanted to read anything else he ever wrote.

IIRC he has his own private space company with Jeff Bezos (megalol) so this sounds like nerd on nerd crime.

[bluemax]

Actually the genius guy is probably some combo of Bezos and Elon Musk.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

The plot of the book is that the moon is blown up and NDT figures out that in roughly 3 years all the moon fragments will rain down on earth and everyone on earth will die. The governments of the world band together to build some kind of ridiculous ramshacke space ark to preserve humanity and Elon Musk realizes something that he won't share with anyone that's super fucked about their plan, he builds his own rocket, sneaks onto the ISS, steals some robots or something and then blasts off on a mission of his own never to be heard from (at least as far as I had read) again. From the revies the book only gets dumber from there on out.

[close]

Don't click the spoiler if you plan on reading the book.

[chronovore]

You guys are mean. Neal is awesome except for that shitbird Kickstarter he backed.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/29/obama-overtime_n_7536928.html

"What we’ve seen is, increasingly, companies skirting basic overtime laws, calling somebody a manager when they’re stocking groceries and getting paid $30,000 a year," Obama said. "Those folks are being cheated."

Obabamama setting up further safeguards for American workers. Overtime pay for 5M more workers than under The Shrub's watch.

Having seen what kind of crap-fest life turns into when management feels like overtime should be standard time, I think this is great.

[benjipwns]

[Brehvolution]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2014/09/05/obama-outperforms-reagan-on-jobs-growth-and-investing/

[ToxicAdam]

It would be sweet if we could one day decouple the idea that a sitting president bears some kind of responsibility for the economy he/she has, but it's the sports argument equivalent of "how many rings do he have?"  It's a way for dumb people to keep score.

[Kara]

One day people will acknowledge that Jordan was nothing without Toni Kukoc, and one day people will acknowledge Reagan was nothing without Paul Volcker. The truth always prevails.

[benjipwns]

http://airjudden2.tripod.com/ejf/index.htm

[Phoenix Dark]

How can you say that jordon is only worth 2 wins to the Bulls?

Easy.  The year before jordon retired, the Bulls were 57-25.  In the first year of jordon's retirement, with basically the same team, they were 55-27.  57 - 55 = 2.   If jordon was so valuable to the Bulls, you would think the Bulls would  struggle without him, like the Lakers did when Magic retired, or the Celtics did in 1989, when Larry Bird only played 6 games -- despite having 2 top-50 players (Parish & McHale), a former playoff MVP (Dennis Johnson), Reggie Lewis and Danny Ainge (for part of the season), they slipped 15 games and couldn't even win half of their games without Bird (who played the first 6).

[Kara]

DISCLAIMER

I am NOT Michael jordon. I know it seems odd that a person could know so much about jordon's foolishness and not BE Foolish jordon, but I guarantee, I am not.  Therefore, don't write questions asking about why I am a ballhog, or if you are a jordon jocker, please don't write asking if you may smell my underwear.  I am not a ballhog and I don't wear jordon's drawers!

[benjipwns]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[Kara]

So today California's law mandating 3 days (24 hours) of paid vacation came into effect and the adjustment period needs to conclude ASAP. The day where I don't have to listen to an employer whose company has family members with no-show / outlandishly overpaid jobs on the payroll whining about have to pay for 24 hours with no work in exchange can't come soon enough.

[Boogie]

So today California's law mandating 3 days (24 hours) of paid vacation came into effect and the adjustment period needs to conclude ASAP. The day where I don't have to listen to an employer whose company has family members with no-show / outlandishly overpaid jobs on the payroll whining about have to pay for 24 hours with no work in exchange can't come soon enough.

Wow, a full 3 days of paid vacation, how controversial.

America, the greatest country in the world.

 /four weeks a year of paid vacation.  :cansmug

[bluemax]

So today California's law mandating 3 days (24 hours) of paid vacation came into effect and the adjustment period needs to conclude ASAP. The day where I don't have to listen to an employer whose company has family members with no-show / outlandishly overpaid jobs on the payroll whining about have to pay for 24 hours with no work in exchange can't come soon enough.

They didn't even send an email around about it where I work. A single sheet print out with the law was posted in the break room at work. I mean not that I expect a company that routinely has workers work 100 hour work weeks to give two shits about vacation laws.

So glad I got a new job.

[Kara]

Wow, a full 3 days of paid vacation, how controversial.

America, the greatest country in the world.

 /four weeks a year of paid vacation.  :cansmug

My favorite meme from this is "oh they said this benefits families because that's palatable".

You can tell these people have never had to decide between going to work or going to the doctor.

[Brehvolution]

Next year at this time, I'll have hit my 10 year anniversary and get an extra week of vacation. Bringing me up to 6 weeks of vacation. 7 if I include xmas break.

[Phoenix Dark]

https://twitter.com/potus/status/616338019843461121


Aquemini

[Human Snorenado]

Esch, come get your boy

https://twitter.com/DineshDSouza/status/616375242835910656

[Great Rumbler]

People are still shook over Cuba? Brehs, it ain't 1965 anymore.

[bluemax]

They actually made an announcement at work today about the vacation thing. Sounds like they're gonna be handing out paperwork with everyone's hours on it or something, I dunno. I enjoyed when they said there was a poster about it in the break room. Its not a poster, its 1 page of printer paper.

[Boogie]

Next year at this time, I'll have hit my 10 year anniversary and get an extra week of vacation. Bringing me up to 6 weeks of vacation. 7 if I include xmas break.

Damn, and I'll only get 5 weeks when I hit 10 years.  Well done, sir.

[Joe Molotov]

Esch, come get your boy

https://twitter.com/DineshDSouza/status/616375242835910656

I wish we had a tough-on-crime president to keep these dangerous felons off our streets/twitters.

[Positive Touch]

I had almost a month of paid vacation. then my job eliminated all paid vacation except for two days a year I hate u America

[Human Snorenado]

I had almost a month of paid vacation. then my job eliminated all paid vacation except for two days a year I hate u America

If you'd already accrued it, they should either have to pay it out or honor it, despite what they're doing going forward. I think, anyway.

[bluemax]

http://noisey.vice.com/blog/anarchy-in-the-pre-k-teaching-capitalist-ideals-to-four-year-olds-through-punk

YOURE DOING IT WRONG

[Great Rumbler]

http://noisey.vice.com/blog/anarchy-in-the-pre-k-teaching-capitalist-ideals-to-four-year-olds-through-punk

YOURE DOING IT WRONG

I want them to see that capitalism is a great system,  unlike the bad rap it gets from the media.

 

[Human Snorenado]

Let's all learn about the wonders of the capital gains tax rate through the music of GG Allin.

[Phoenix Dark]

In 50 years Reagan will be credited as the first punk rock president and Kenny G will be the father of jazz.

appropriation

[Joe Molotov]

It’s more along the lines of something that has more of a Blink-182 kind of feel to it.

Calling CPS on this sick filth.

[benjipwns]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[Great Rumbler]

The 2012 chart is hilarious where it's going through the cycle of a candidate peaking for a few weeks and then completely cratering. The 2016 chart is just an absolute mess.

[Kara]

My last presidential election as an American will be Bush v. Clinton.

[benjipwns]

The 2012 chart is hilarious where it's going through the cycle of a candidate peaking for a few weeks and then completely cratering. The 2016 chart is just an absolute mess.

Bachmann's little boom is my favorite. Then Perry enters and "oops." Then Cain rises and affairs and everything. Then Gingrich is like the last "serious" candidate left but then the fact that he has no actual campaign and is relying on the debates comes into play so he's all over the place with a collapse and second boom after getting South Carolina but then he runs out of steam and the only non-Romney candidate left, since the GOP won't ever vote for a Paul, is Santorum so he shoots up to the lead/a tie with Romney until he drops out after sitting at 1-2% for like two years.

I still think that could have been Pawlenty if he hadn't bailed out months earlier. He's a nice safe milquetoast Republican.

[Sausage]

You gotta think that Walker would be more popular with actual conservatives than Bush right?

[Kara]

The last presidential election in my lifetime will be Bush v. Clinton.

FTFY. 

Look for once I didn't want to be Citizen Negativity but that's the more likely description, yes.

[Mandark]

Kara, you'll live a happy, fulfilling life into your 80's.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

...and the last US election you see will STILL probably be a Bush vs. a Clinton.

[close]

[benjipwns]

So Bill's going to put out another kid with a second wife after Hillary gets re-elected and divorces him for Huma?

Because it's Charlotte Clinton MEZVINSKY. (Clinton's actually her middle name apparently, not a combined last name?)

She's eligible in 2052.

What Are the Chances She Could Be a Republican?

When asked what she would do if her child grew up to be a Republican, Chelsea said: "I would find that very hard to believe."

GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT FOR ONCE MANDARK

[Kara]

Kara, you'll live a happy, fulfilling life into your 80's.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

...and the last US election you see will STILL probably be a Bush vs. a Clinton.

[close]

I've barely kept it going a year. I have faith in myself.

[Phoenix Dark]

Where are you moving to, Kara?

[benjipwns]

Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

[Kara]

Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

I do want to go on a bender while in Bender and possibly read the Ostap Bender saga again there too.

[benjipwns]

PD, we gotta start pushing Bernie Sanders/Rachel Dolezal as the opposition ticket to Scott Walker/Susan Martinez. Since calling the D ticket is no fun.

[Samson Manhug]

PD, we gotta start pushing Bernie Sanders/Rachel Dolezal as the opposition ticket to Scott Walker/Susan Martinez. Since calling the D ticket is no fun.

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/2/8884351/bernie-sanders-rally-madison-video

[Phoenix Dark]

Ron Paul.

[benjipwns]

The guy who plays Jonah on Veep endorsed Martin O'Malley.

 

[Kara]

Where are you moving to, Kara?

The homeland unless I really fall down the international tax avoidance career rabbit hole, then it'd be one of the many tax havens in the world. Selling Maki newspapers at the kibbutz.

[Phoenix Dark]

Where are you moving to, Kara?

The homeland unless I really fall down the international tax avoidance career rabbit hole, then it'd be one of the many tax havens in the world. Selling Maki newspapers at the kibbutz.

Bibi's got another one.

[Kara]

The thought of spending the rest of my life under the rule of Likud does leave a certain nasty taste in my mouth.

[benjipwns]

 

[benjipwns]

Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases for 2016

WASHINGTON — Health insurance companies around the country are seeking rate increases of 20 percent to 40 percent or more, saying their new customers under the Affordable Care Act turned out to be sicker than expected. Federal officials say they are determined to see that the requests are scaled back.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans — market leaders in many states — are seeking rate increases that average 23 percent in Illinois, 25 percent in North Carolina, 31 percent in Oklahoma, 36 percent in Tennessee and 54 percent in Minnesota, according to documents posted online by the federal government and state insurance commissioners and interviews with insurance executives.

The Oregon insurance commissioner, Laura N. Cali, has just approved 2016 rate increases for companies that cover more than 220,000 people. Moda Health Plan, which has the largest enrollment in the state, received a 25 percent increase, and the second-largest plan, LifeWise, received a 33 percent increase.

Jesse Ellis O’Brien, a health advocate at the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, said: “Rate increases will be bigger in 2016 than they have been for years and years and will have a profound effect on consumers here. Some may start wondering if insurance is affordable or if it’s worth the money.”

...

Some say the marketplaces have not attracted enough healthy young people. “As a result, millions of people will face Obamacare sticker shock,” said Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming.

By contrast, Marinan R. Williams, chief executive of the Scott & White Health Plan in Texas, which is seeking a 32 percent rate increase, said the requests showed that “there was a real need for the Affordable Care Act.”

...

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico has requested rate increases averaging 51 percent for its 33,000 members.

...

In their submissions to federal and state regulators, insurers cite several reasons for big rate increases. These include the needs of consumers, some of whom were previously uninsured; the high cost of specialty drugs; and a policy adopted by the Obama administration in late 2013 that allowed some people to keep insurance that did not meet new federal standards.

“Healthier people chose to keep their plans,” said Amy L. Bowen, a spokeswoman for the Geisinger Health Plan in Pennsylvania, and people buying insurance on the exchange were therefore sicker than expected. Geisinger, often praised as a national model of coordinated care, has requested an increase of 40 percent in rates for its health maintenance organization.

Insurers with decades of experience and brand-new plans underestimated claims costs.

“Our enrollees generated 24 percent more claims than we thought they would when we set our 2014 rates,” said Nathan T. Johns, the chief financial officer of Arches Health Plan, which covers about one-fourth of the people who bought insurance through the federal exchange in Utah. As a result, the company said, it collected premiums of $39.7 million and had claims of $56.3 million in 2014. It has requested rate increases averaging 45 percent for 2016.

The rate requests are the first to reflect a full year of experience with the new insurance exchanges and federal standards that require insurers to accept all applicants, without charging higher prices because of a person’s illness or disability.

...

In financial statements filed with the government in the last two months, some insurers said that their claims payments totaled not just 80 percent, but more than 100 percent of premiums. And that, they said, is unsustainable.

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, for example, the ratio of claims paid to premium revenues was more than 115 percent, and the company said it lost more than $135 million on its individual insurance business in 2014. “Based on first-quarter results,” it said, “the year-end deficit for 2015 individual business is expected to be significantly higher.”

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the largest insurer in the state’s individual market, said its proposed increase of 36 percent could affect more than 209,000 consumers.

“There’s not a lot of mystery to it,” said Roy Vaughn, a vice president of the Tennessee Blue Cross plan. “We lost a significant amount of money in the marketplace, $141 million, because we were not very accurate in predicting the utilization of health care.”

...

After public hearings and a rigorous review, Ms. Cali, the Oregon insurance commissioner, found that the cost of providing coverage to individuals and families in 2014 was $830 million, while premiums were only $703 million. She directed some carriers to raise rates in 2016 even more than they had proposed.

Health Net, for example, requested rate increases averaging 9 percent in Oregon. The state approved increases averaging 34.8 percent. Oregon’s Health Co-op requested a 5.3 percent increase. The state called for a 19.9 percent increase.

...

Coventry Health Care, now owned by Aetna, is seeking rate increases that average 22 percent for 70,000 consumers in Missouri. “The claims experience for these plans has been worse than anticipated,” Coventry reported.

In its proposal to increase rates by an average of 25 percent for more than 397,000 consumers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina cited “inpatient costs, particularly in treatment of cancer and heart conditions, emergency room utilization, and cost for specialty drug medications” to treat hepatitis C, breast cancer and cystic fibrosis.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas sought increases averaging 37 percent for 2016 and said the increase could affect 28,600 consumers.

“Kansans who purchased these individual plans since 2014 were older, in general, than expected and required more medical services than anticipated,” the company told federal health officials.

  <- insurance companies

[VomKriege]

(Image removed from quote.)

Makes for a cool Hotline Miami skyline.
So will the first RNC debates have like 20 candidates speaking ?

[Mandark]

I think the plan is to have the top 10 polling candidates in the main debate, but to have an undercard with the rest.

Which means Trump and Carson could easily be bumping a couple more "legitimate" candidates like Santorum or Graham into the second tier.

[benjipwns]

Fox is only doing the top ten candidates, I think CNN is next and they're doing the two-tier debate with the top ten candidates followed by one with anyone polling over 1%. I don't think the debates after that have said.