Forbes has the latest on health insurance rate hikes.
The analysts conducting the survey attribute the rate increases largely to a combination of four factors set in motion by Obamacare: Commercial underwriting restrictions, the age bands that don’t allow insurers to vary premiums between young and old beneficiaries based on the actual costs of providing the coverage, the new excise taxes being levied on insurance plans, and new benefit designs.
Plenty of potential faces for Republican ads throughout the fall.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Stand for your rights
DaTech Guy wants to see more direct stands in the Eich case.
My advice is for Christians or any people who stand on the side of marriage. I would encourage you to utterly reject the trap being laid out by those who would accept our right to exist if we just shut up and be quiet about it. We must fight back, loudly. I’d start with “hostile workplace environment” suits and go from there.
Being quiet won't save your skin.
My advice is for Christians or any people who stand on the side of marriage. I would encourage you to utterly reject the trap being laid out by those who would accept our right to exist if we just shut up and be quiet about it. We must fight back, loudly. I’d start with “hostile workplace environment” suits and go from there.
Being quiet won't save your skin.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Grow up
Megan McArdle looks at the number of people ages 18-26 who benefitted from staying on their parents health insurance.
That wouldn't have helped me 30 years ago.
I moved out of state and got a job with health insurance at age 22.
It was nice to stay on family insurance while in college, but four years was enough to get the degree.
Obamacare supporters can throw around the number - three million - but it's a guess. Likely on the high side.
After looking at the numbers, likely not worth the effort.
But given that most of the people covered by it are healthy people who would have gotten insurance pretty quickly anyway, it probably doesn’t provide much aggregate benefit, either.
That wouldn't have helped me 30 years ago.
I moved out of state and got a job with health insurance at age 22.
It was nice to stay on family insurance while in college, but four years was enough to get the degree.
Obamacare supporters can throw around the number - three million - but it's a guess. Likely on the high side.
After looking at the numbers, likely not worth the effort.
But given that most of the people covered by it are healthy people who would have gotten insurance pretty quickly anyway, it probably doesn’t provide much aggregate benefit, either.
Enjoying the fantasy
I signed up for my first fantasy baseball league this year.
Before Sunday night's game, I checked my matchup. We were tied 5-5, and I figured the only way I could win the week would be for Matt Kemp to hit two home runs.
And he did.
On to week 2. Let the sunshine and the hits continue.
Before Sunday night's game, I checked my matchup. We were tied 5-5, and I figured the only way I could win the week would be for Matt Kemp to hit two home runs.
And he did.
On to week 2. Let the sunshine and the hits continue.
Find the parasite
Via Instapundit, the opposite of the Welcome Wagon.
This group thinks tech entrepreneurs are ruining San Francisco, and want it to stop.
For only $3 billion.
To an anarchy group.
Google Maps should have pictures of other communities that will welcome the tech entreprenuers and their friends.
This group thinks tech entrepreneurs are ruining San Francisco, and want it to stop.
For only $3 billion.
To an anarchy group.
Google Maps should have pictures of other communities that will welcome the tech entreprenuers and their friends.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
NASCAR is all wet
NASCAR should have known better than to have a race sponsored by the Duck Dynasty guys.
Ducks bring wet weather.
Let's see if they can race on Monday.
Ducks bring wet weather.
Let's see if they can race on Monday.
No calories, no sales
The TaxProf is cutting back on his diet soda drinking.
So are a lot of people.
I'd like to buy the world a Coke, and make sure they drink it.
So are a lot of people.
I'd like to buy the world a Coke, and make sure they drink it.
Drift away
Bearing Drift has a winner in its NCAA bracket contest two days early - since no one picked either Kentucky or Connecticut to reach the final game.
I finished sixth out of 36 entrees by letting the computer pick the top seed to win each game. If Florida had won the final Monday, it would have worked better.
I finished sixth out of 36 entrees by letting the computer pick the top seed to win each game. If Florida had won the final Monday, it would have worked better.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Just say no
Northwestern football has three weeks until voting whether to join a union.
The likely starting quarterback next season thinks a "no" vote is best.
So does the coach.
Fitzgerald spoke at the end of a spring practice session at the school's lakefront facility, alongside a plot of land being developed for a $225 million athletic center. He also said that while he's constrained in what he can discuss regarding a union, he sent players and their parents a letter stating his position before addressing the team in person.
Think there will be money for the new athletic center if the union gets certified?
The likely starting quarterback next season thinks a "no" vote is best.
So does the coach.
Fitzgerald spoke at the end of a spring practice session at the school's lakefront facility, alongside a plot of land being developed for a $225 million athletic center. He also said that while he's constrained in what he can discuss regarding a union, he sent players and their parents a letter stating his position before addressing the team in person.
Think there will be money for the new athletic center if the union gets certified?
Facebook quote of the week
There's a dog in a training class that has been barking NON STOP for 20 minutes. Why do they not have him in some secret government bunker torturing prisoners? He would be perfect for the job.
Only trust my pundits
Thanks to Blue Virginia, I got to see this Daily Kos post about pundits.
They are upset with conservative pundits.
Wah.
They think pundits should be held to a standard - how do they toe the liberal line?
They splash the 97 percent of scientists agree, and laud the reporting of the Washington Post's Juliet Eilperin - the same person who's part of the Koch Brothers/Keystone pipeline article that Powerline has destroyed.
Maybe Eilperin can examine this study that Powerline found.
Or maybe the conservative pundits are right.
They are upset with conservative pundits.
Wah.
They think pundits should be held to a standard - how do they toe the liberal line?
They splash the 97 percent of scientists agree, and laud the reporting of the Washington Post's Juliet Eilperin - the same person who's part of the Koch Brothers/Keystone pipeline article that Powerline has destroyed.
Maybe Eilperin can examine this study that Powerline found.
Or maybe the conservative pundits are right.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Conform or else
Mark Steyn knows about the speech police.
Most Christian opponents of gay marriage oppose gay marriage; they don't oppose the right of gays to advocate it. But increasingly gays oppose the right of Christians even to argue their corner. Gay activists have figured that, instead of trying to persuade people to change their opinions, it's easier just to get them banned.
Current events make him look smarter all the time.
Most Christian opponents of gay marriage oppose gay marriage; they don't oppose the right of gays to advocate it. But increasingly gays oppose the right of Christians even to argue their corner. Gay activists have figured that, instead of trying to persuade people to change their opinions, it's easier just to get them banned.
Current events make him look smarter all the time.
Stages of spin
Peggy Noonan breaks down the different spins used through the years on Obamacare.
Finally, the program's supporters have gone on quite a rhetorical journey, from "This is an excellent bill, and opponents hate the needy" to "People will love it once they have it" to "We may need some changes" to "I've co-sponsored a bill to make needed alternations" to "This will be seen by posterity as an advance in human freedom."
The spin keeps your head spinning.
Finally, the program's supporters have gone on quite a rhetorical journey, from "This is an excellent bill, and opponents hate the needy" to "People will love it once they have it" to "We may need some changes" to "I've co-sponsored a bill to make needed alternations" to "This will be seen by posterity as an advance in human freedom."
The spin keeps your head spinning.
Weekend watchdog
Ready for the Final Four?
Check your local listings.
TBS gets the Final Four Saturday action this year. Top-seed Florida takes on the court against Connecticut at 6 p.m. and Wisconsin meets Kentucky's freshmen five in the nightcap.
If you head to CBS like you've done since 1982, you'll be disappointed.
CBS will be there Monday at 9 p.m. for the final.
And for "One Shining Moment" to roll after the nets come down.
The women's Final Four will be on ESPN Sunday. ACC newcomer Notre Dame bids farewell to Big Ten-bound Maryland at 6:30 p.m., then Connecticut battles Stanford.
The final will be Tuesday.
ESPN shows the boys final of the National High School championship Saturday at noon. The semifinals are Friday at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The best girls teams meet Saturday at 10 a.m. on ESPN2.
The Wizards continue their contest for the playoffs, visiting the Knicks Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast and hosting the Bulls Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Nuggets and Grizzlies tangle on ESPN Friday at 7 p.m. before the Thunder visit the Rockets.
The Heat and Knicks play on ABC Sunday at 1 p.m., and it's the battle of Los Angeles between the Lakers and Clippers at 3:30 p.m.
FoxSports1 takes over the Saturday afternoon baseball coverage in 2014, and begins the season with a twinbill. The Twins face the Indians at 1 p.m., then the Dodgers face the Giants.
The Dodgers return to Sunday night baseball on ESPN2 at 8 p.m.
The Orioles visit Detroit Friday at 1 p.m. on MASN2, Saturday at 1 p.m. on MASN and Sunday at 1 p.m. on MASN2. The Nationals host the Braves in the home opener Friday at 1 p.m. The series continues Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. on MASN.
On the college diamond, North Carolina State heads to Clemson Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast and Middle Tennessee State faces Southern Mississippi on FoxSport1 Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
ESPN has college softball between Arkansas and Alabama at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Comcast offers the Capitals taking on the Islanders Saturday at 5 p.m.
NBC Sports network has the Capitals meeting the Devils Friday at 7 p.m., and Buffalo battles Philadelphia Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
The Blackhawks host the Blues Sunday at noon on NBC.
NASCAR heads to Texas this weekend, with the Sprint Cup race on Fox Sunday at 3 p.m. The Nationwide racers go Friday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Bahrain hosts Formula One racing this weekend, with the race Sunday at 11 a.m. on NBC Sports network. There's qualifying Friday at 11 a.m.
Getting ready for the Masters, the PGA tour visits Houston on NBC Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
In the MLS, Seattle battles Portland Saturday at 3 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Chelsea takes on Stoke City Saturday at noon on NBC. Manchester City meets Southampton on NBC Sports network at 7:45 a.m., followed by Newcastle United-Manchester United at 10 a.m. Everton plays Arsenal Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
ESPN2 offers the Family Circle Cup quarterfinals Friday at 1 p.m., a semifinal Saturday at 1 p.m. and final Sunday at 1 p.m.
Preparations for the Kentucky Derby continue on NBC Sports network, with the Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby at 5:30 p.m.
Spreading the legal word
A nice profile of Eugene Volokh and the impact of his blog - remembering how it all began.
“I’m a law professor and I’m a Jew, and we both like to hear ourselves talk,” Volokh said wryly. “I’ve always wanted to spread my ideas; I think that’s an important part of my job—not just to speak to a little corner of the academy, not just to speak to the professionals like judges and lawyers, but to speak to the public on public policy.”
“I’m a law professor and I’m a Jew, and we both like to hear ourselves talk,” Volokh said wryly. “I’ve always wanted to spread my ideas; I think that’s an important part of my job—not just to speak to a little corner of the academy, not just to speak to the professionals like judges and lawyers, but to speak to the public on public policy.”
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Show me the campaign cash
Volokh looks at why Democrats want to limit money in politics.
It’s therefore not all that surprising that when the Supreme Court decided Buckley v. Valeo in 1976, affirming some limits on campaign contributions to avoid corruption, but holding that political donations receive substantial First Amendment protection, the opinion was written by liberal stalwart William Brennan, and was thought too weak by the ACLU.
Since then, opposition to First Amendment protection of campaign donations has become a significant “cause” on the liberal left. It’s not hard to see why: the legacy mainstream media, Hollywood, academia, publishing, the legal profession, the mainline churches, and the arts, i.e., almost all of the leading opinion-making areas of American life, are dominated by liberals (though conservatives dominate talk radio, evangelical churches, and have Fox News). The one place where the playing field is more or less level is in campaign spending. Limit campaign spending, and left-leaning opinion-makers utterly dominate American political discourse.
We have a right to speak - and we're going to use it.
It’s therefore not all that surprising that when the Supreme Court decided Buckley v. Valeo in 1976, affirming some limits on campaign contributions to avoid corruption, but holding that political donations receive substantial First Amendment protection, the opinion was written by liberal stalwart William Brennan, and was thought too weak by the ACLU.
Since then, opposition to First Amendment protection of campaign donations has become a significant “cause” on the liberal left. It’s not hard to see why: the legacy mainstream media, Hollywood, academia, publishing, the legal profession, the mainline churches, and the arts, i.e., almost all of the leading opinion-making areas of American life, are dominated by liberals (though conservatives dominate talk radio, evangelical churches, and have Fox News). The one place where the playing field is more or less level is in campaign spending. Limit campaign spending, and left-leaning opinion-makers utterly dominate American political discourse.
We have a right to speak - and we're going to use it.
Let freedom ring
Althouse breaks down a breakdown about the Supreme Court's political speech ruling Wednesday.
Hasen — to my amusement — goes directly from noting Roberts's avoidance of "an opinion that dramatically adopts strict scrutiny" to "Third and most dramatically..." Most dramatically? I thought the whole idea was that Roberts was doing 3 things that were subtle and not dramatic, that he was the no-drama guy. In that context, what does it mean that the third thing was the most dramatic? This is practically a Zen koan. What is the sound of one hand clapping and what is the drama of no drama? Is the most dramatic subtlety the thing that is most subtle? It's so subtle, it's dramatic. I am deafened by the silence and dazzled by the darkness.
Poor liberals. It's terrible when the Supreme Court lets rights stand.
Hasen — to my amusement — goes directly from noting Roberts's avoidance of "an opinion that dramatically adopts strict scrutiny" to "Third and most dramatically..." Most dramatically? I thought the whole idea was that Roberts was doing 3 things that were subtle and not dramatic, that he was the no-drama guy. In that context, what does it mean that the third thing was the most dramatic? This is practically a Zen koan. What is the sound of one hand clapping and what is the drama of no drama? Is the most dramatic subtlety the thing that is most subtle? It's so subtle, it's dramatic. I am deafened by the silence and dazzled by the darkness.
Poor liberals. It's terrible when the Supreme Court lets rights stand.
Can you hear us, Washington Post?
Powerline still have questions about the timing of the Washington Post's story on the Koch Brothers and the Keystone pipeline.
Especially since Democrats seemed to use the article to bash the Brothers.
You'd think that would be news.
Maybe if Post readers wondered about the connection too.
Especially since Democrats seemed to use the article to bash the Brothers.
You'd think that would be news.
Maybe if Post readers wondered about the connection too.
Get your news here
What happened in Benghazi?
Sharyl Attkinson is on the case.
She doesn't need a network gig to chase the truth.
Sharyl Attkinson is on the case.
She doesn't need a network gig to chase the truth.
Koch adds life
Charles Koch gives his opinion free to the Wall Street Journal.
Instead of fostering a system that enables people to help themselves, America is now saddled with a system that destroys value, raises costs, hinders innovation and relegates millions of citizens to a life of poverty, dependency and hopelessness. This is what happens when elected officials believe that people's lives are better run by politicians and regulators than by the people themselves. Those in power fail to see that more government means less liberty, and liberty is the essence of what it means to be American. Love of liberty is the American ideal.
Koch for a better America.
Instead of fostering a system that enables people to help themselves, America is now saddled with a system that destroys value, raises costs, hinders innovation and relegates millions of citizens to a life of poverty, dependency and hopelessness. This is what happens when elected officials believe that people's lives are better run by politicians and regulators than by the people themselves. Those in power fail to see that more government means less liberty, and liberty is the essence of what it means to be American. Love of liberty is the American ideal.
Koch for a better America.
Selfie - 1987 version
I've been enjoying Throwback Thursday's on Facebook.
It's great to scan some old pictures and relive the memories.
Like this one.
The editor of my paper decided I should do a story on the new fitness course at the local high school.
I put my camera on the tripod, set the timer and raced to get into the picture.
A selfie from 1987.
It's great to scan some old pictures and relive the memories.
Like this one.
The editor of my paper decided I should do a story on the new fitness course at the local high school.
I put my camera on the tripod, set the timer and raced to get into the picture.
A selfie from 1987.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
They call me the wanderer
Megan McArdle discusses her career path - and where the twists and turns landed her.
I simply wanted to make the point that how hard you worked in high school is not necessarily a good predictor of how hard you will work at the age of 40 -- that the mother fretting about her underachiever may someday be the mother fretting about her workaholic.
I simply wanted to make the point that how hard you worked in high school is not necessarily a good predictor of how hard you will work at the age of 40 -- that the mother fretting about her underachiever may someday be the mother fretting about her workaholic.
The Frosty City
Chicago just went through its coldest four-month period in recorded history.
Gotta love that global warming.
Gotta love that global warming.
Watching heads explode
Count the cost
Powerline points out what Obamacare will be costing employers.
The study is based on internal cost data from more than 100 large employers (10,000 or more employees each) doing business in the United States. It offers the first-ever look at how these organizations believe Obamacare has impacted the current and future cost of providing health care to their employees.
The study’s main findings are that over the next decade:
The study is based on internal cost data from more than 100 large employers (10,000 or more employees each) doing business in the United States. It offers the first-ever look at how these organizations believe Obamacare has impacted the current and future cost of providing health care to their employees.
The study’s main findings are that over the next decade:
Obamacare will cost large U.S. employers between $4,800 to $5,900 per employee.Hope you're worth that much more to your boss.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
To skip the fine, I stand in line
Best of the Web follows the walkers - those standing in line this weekend to sign up for Obamacare.
Do the lines mean enthusiasm or grim recognition it's something they have to do.
At the end of open enrollment, the White House boast is akin to the IRS's citing a "surge" in filing of tax returns two weeks from now as evidence that the income tax system is popular and well designed.
I hope those who stood in line don't need tons of reminders to pay the insurance premiums they signed up for.
Do the lines mean enthusiasm or grim recognition it's something they have to do.
At the end of open enrollment, the White House boast is akin to the IRS's citing a "surge" in filing of tax returns two weeks from now as evidence that the income tax system is popular and well designed.
I hope those who stood in line don't need tons of reminders to pay the insurance premiums they signed up for.
Obamacare can stay
..if these people pay.
Will the new enrollees pay their premiums?
Megan McArdle wonders as she waits for good numbers.
Start with what we know about these people: They waited until the last minute to sign up. This tells you that a lot of them will fall into one of a few groups:
When you say your program is "paid for," it means all of these people will pay their monthly premiums.
For years to come.
Will the new enrollees pay their premiums?
Megan McArdle wonders as she waits for good numbers.
Start with what we know about these people: They waited until the last minute to sign up. This tells you that a lot of them will fall into one of a few groups:
- People who are incredibly disorganized.
- People who are so financially pinched that it was important to wait until the last minute so that they could pay eight months' worth of premiums instead of 12.1
- People who are young and healthy enough to make acquiring insurance less than urgent.
When you say your program is "paid for," it means all of these people will pay their monthly premiums.
For years to come.
Show me the money
Amazing.
The Obama administration sets a number for enrollments - and announces it made it with just a few hours to spare.
Great.
Show me the insurance premium money.
Show me the numbers of newly insured versus those using the exchange when their policies were deemed not good enough.
Enough talk.
Time for real numbers.
The Obama administration sets a number for enrollments - and announces it made it with just a few hours to spare.
Great.
Show me the insurance premium money.
Show me the numbers of newly insured versus those using the exchange when their policies were deemed not good enough.
Enough talk.
Time for real numbers.
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