Canadian Healthcare from a Canadian...

[KLHJ2]

A billionaire is a person who has more than one billion US dollars. But in order to be on the American business and financial magazine Forbes' annual list of the world's billionaires, a billionaire not only has to make a billion dollars but also maintain it.

Over time, the number of billionaires in the world has been steadily increasing. In the United States, this number had increased from a couple to a couple hundred in just twenty years or so. Worldwide, this number had increased by a couple hundred in just a few years. There are billionaires from approximately 47 countries in the world. Now, the United States has the most number of billionaires, followed by Asia, Europe, and Latin America. These billionaires are usually people, or tycoons, from big businesses and industries such as technology, steel, gas, retail, and finance like Microsoft's William Gates who has held 1st place in Forbes' annual list of the world's billionaires 11 years in a row. Some people inherit a large fortune from their family like the Waltons from the death of Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart.

In 2005, the 691 billionaires in the world is approximately 0.00001% of the world population. The total net worth of these 691 billionaires is $2.2 trillion, which increased from last year's $300 billion, and is approximately 21% of the United States' GDP. In the future, this trend of increasing numbers of billionaires and increasing wealth of these billionaires will continue through advanced technology and communications.

Michelle Lee -- 2005

Number of Billionaires


Fucked up when you think about it. less than 1 percent of the population has most of the money. More than they will ever need in 10 life times.

It is cool to make something of yourself and be rich, don't get me wrong. But damn, how much is enough? When do you reach out to your fellow man and pitch in when he is struggling? Starvation and Health care issues could be entirely eliminated if the less than 1% would part ways with a portion of their Kingdom for the greater good. It was the way of the Aristocrat to believe that he was entitled to his wealth, but he had a responsibility to man kind as a rich man (Great power=Great responsibility). That responsibility flew out the window a century ago. They cannot take it with them, but they can sure as hell change the world and live on forever.

I once observed a rations drop in a 3rd world country where all of the able bodied men rushed in and gathered more of the food than they needed. Meanwhile, they prevented the women and children from getting anywhere near the food until they (the men) had grabbed more than they can use. Once the women and children were able to gather their own rations there was not nearly enough left, but there would have been if it wasn't for the greed of the men. This was the behavior of animals, I thought that our superior intelligence was supposed to separate us from them, but apparently it does not when overwhelmed with greed.

Once again this is not a shot at all of the rich, nor do I think that it is a bad thing to be rich. I also do not think that we should adopt socialism. I am saying that to have an abundance is good, but to have too much deprives the majority.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by angryssg

A billionaire is a person who has more than one billion US dollars. But in order to be on the American business and financial magazine Forbes' annual list of the world's billionaires, a billionaire not only has to make a billion dollars but also maintain it.

Over time, the number of billionaires in the world has been steadily increasing. In the United States, this number had increased from a couple to a couple hundred in just twenty years or so. Worldwide, this number had increased by a couple hundred in just a few years. There are billionaires from approximately 47 countries in the world. Now, the United States has the most number of billionaires, followed by Asia, Europe, and Latin America. These billionaires are usually people, or tycoons, from big businesses and industries such as technology, steel, gas, retail, and finance like Microsoft's William Gates who has held 1st place in Forbes' annual list of the world's billionaires 11 years in a row. Some people inherit a large fortune from their family like the Waltons from the death of Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart.

In 2005, the 691 billionaires in the world is approximately 0.00001% of the world population. The total net worth of these 691 billionaires is $2.2 trillion, which increased from last year's $300 billion, and is approximately 21% of the United States' GDP. In the future, this trend of increasing numbers of billionaires and increasing wealth of these billionaires will continue through advanced technology and communications.

Michelle Lee -- 2005

Number of Billionaires


Fucked up when you think about it. less than 1 percent of the population has most of the money. More than they will ever need in 10 life times.

It is cool to make something of yourself and be rich, don't get me wrong. But damn, how much is enough? When do you reach out to your fellow man and pitch in when he is struggling? Starvation and Health care issues could be entirely eliminated if the less than 1% would part ways with a portion of their Kingdom for the greater good. It was the way of the Aristocrat to believe that he was entitled to his wealth, but he had a responsibility to man kind as a rich man (Great power=Great responsibility). That responsibility flew out the window a century ago. They cannot take it with them, but they can sure as hell change the world and live on forever.

I once observed a rations drop in a 3rd world country where all of the able bodied men rushed in and gathered more of the food than they needed. Meanwhile, they prevented the women and children from getting anywhere near the food until they (the men) had grabbed more than they can use. Once the women and children were able to gather their own rations there was not nearly enough left, but there would have been if it wasn't for the greed of the men. This was the behavior of animals, I thought that our superior intelligence was supposed to separate us from them, but apparently it does not when overwhelmed with greed.

Once again this is not a shot at all of the rich, nor do I think that it is a bad thing to be rich. I also do not think that we should adopt socialism. I am saying that to have an abundance is good, but to have too much deprives the majority.

Also to enclude in this is all the people these billionaries provide jobs, health care, money they donate, etc... just to post this as they take their money and stick it in a safe and say screw the world is crazy. How much money has Bill Gates given away over the years? Millions and millions which is only possible because of the wealth he has made over the years. These very wealthy people allready pay like 45 to 50% of the taxes raised in the US.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Also to enclude in this is all the people these billionaries provide jobs, health care, money they donate, etc... just to post this as they take their money and stick it in a safe and say screw the world is crazy. How much money has Bill Gates given away over the years? Millions and millions which is only possible because of the wealth he has made over the years. These very wealthy people allready pay like 45 to 50% of the taxes raised in the US.

They provide jobs to continue making more money and because the daily tasks within their corporations are too large for them to handle themselves.

They provide health care because it is a Federal Law to provide benefits to full time employees.

They donate just enough money to be a beneficial tax write off.

Bill Gates is the most noble of these gentlemen because yes he has used alot of money for good, donating billions to charity over the years, but in the end he is still a MULTI-BILLIONAIRE. It is easy for me to donate $6,000.00 when I am bringing in 60k after taxes and I have half a years salary saved. These guys are in a much better position than that.

What can 1 person do with 3 billion dollars that they cannot do with 2 or even 1? I know that it is a rhetorical question, but think about it. How much money is too much money for one person? Once again, I am not saying it is a crime to be rich, but how rich is too rich. At what limit does one have too much money and power over the rest of man?

Yes, they do pay up to 50% of their yearly income in taxes, but that doesn't affect the money they already have. However I am glad that you brought that up because that is exactly why I posted this here. With all of that money collected in taxes why are we still complaining about poor heath care, poor education, homless people, and hungry children. Because the government is misusing money that is collected. That has created a need for more money to correct these problems that always seem to get overlooked. Yet politicians will always talk the talk about fixing a problem until they are elected. Once they are elected, they forget about their promises or they are in someone elses pocket. Either way the issues remain and no one ever does any thing about it. The truth is once you have the power and ability to make a difference, you do not care anymore. You do not care because you get consumed with your own greed. Hey, what do you care as long as the problems don't affect you right?

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by angryssg

They provide jobs to continue making more money and because the daily tasks within their corporations are too large for them to handle themselves.

They provide health care because it is a Federal Law to provide benefits to full time employees.

They donate just enough money to be a beneficial tax write off.

Bill Gates is the most noble of these gentlemen because yes he has used alot of money for good, donating billions to charity over the years, but in the end he is still a MULTI-BILLIONAIRE. It is easy for me to donate $6,000.00 when I am bringing in 60k after taxes and I have half a years salary saved. These guys are in a much better position than that.

What can 1 person do with 3 billion dollars that they cannot do with 2 or even 1? I know that it is a rhetorical question, but think about it. How much money is too much money for one person? Once again, I am not saying it is a crime to be rich, but how rich is too rich. At what limit does one have too much money and power over the rest of man?

Yes, they do pay up to 50% of their yearly income in taxes, but that doesn't affect the money they already have. However I am glad that you brought that up because that is exactly why I posted this here. With all of that money collected in taxes why are we still complaining about poor heath care, poor education, homless people, and hungry children. Because the government is misusing money that is collected. That has created a need for more money to correct these problems that always seem to get overlooked. Yet politicians will always talk the talk about fixing a problem until they are elected. Once they are elected, they forget about their promises or they are in someone elses pocket. Either way the issues remain and no one ever does any thing about it. The truth is once you have the power and ability to make a difference, you do not care anymore. You do not care because you get consumed with your own greed. Hey, what do you care as long as the problems don't affect you right?

First off can you post the law that states that an empolyer has to provide benefits to employees. No because there is no such law. The reason we have the problems is because the goverment cannot fix problems with money. They have tried and tried but money does not solve the problems. Not everyone is complaining about health care. The federal goverment needs to get out of education and give back the money to the states so the local comunities can run education. Homeless are homeless because they do not want to work. OK, most homeless are homeless by their own actions and a small % have had some bad luck. We allready provide breakfest and lunch to school children, we have food stamps, and local churches and organizations have food banks and food lines. If you are hungry in the US its your fault and/or your parents fault.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by firstdown

First off can you post the law that states that an empolyer has to provide benefits to employees. No because there is no such law. The reason we have the problems is because the goverment cannot fix problems with money. They have tried and tried but money does not solve the problems. Not everyone is complaining about health care. The federal goverment needs to get out of education and give back the money to the states so the local comunities can run education. Homeless are homeless because they do not want to work. OK, most homeless are homeless by their own actions and a small % have had some bad luck. We allready provide breakfest and lunch to school children, we have food stamps, and local churches and organizations have food banks and food lines. If you are hungry in the US its your fault and/or your parents fault.

They do not have to, but once a company provides it for one class of employee, then they must provide for all. With that being said, once That multibillionaire offered medical insurance to the company president or any other full time employee, he must provide it to all employees within that class. (Usually full time employees).

Employer: Workplace Benefits FAQs

So, to say it correctly they are not required by Federal Law to provide benefits until they have provided for at least one class of person. Once they have done that then yes, they are bound by Federal Law. Sorry that I didn't break it down for you the first time.

As far as the homless issue goes, I want more money for prisons to put the homless in jail (not give them handouts). They can either become a contributing, working, member of society or rot in jail. Either way they are off of the streets. Money doesn't always have to go to a person, it can fund the cause in other ways as well. I refer to it as helping man with a little "tough love", otherwise known as motivation provided by negative reinforcement.

[dmek25]

angryssg, great post. it makes you wonder what the super rich really do with their money. i kind of had the same thoughts about Katrina. with people like Oprah, and Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, and bill gates. a group of these extremely wealthy people could have done a whole lot of good in the gulf region, as far as rebuilding. is it their responsibility? no, but if you have , lets say 100 million, how much does it really hurt to part ways with about 5 million?

[Redskin]

I take this like people wanting the government to pay for all higher up education, a little rediculous. Health care is not the save all, there is no way to make the system perfect. The best way to do it is to make enough money to afford a health care or make a government health care for poorer families, not somethin we all have to buy into. More taxes wont make anyone happy.

[dmek25]

you guys make me laugh. i guess if you are poor, you aren't allowed to watch T.V.? what exactly does it mean if someone has a satellite dish? if they had cable, would you feel the same way? in alot of places, direct T.V. is cheaper then comcast, so maybe its a cheaper alternative, so they can still watch. when i lived under the poverty line, the one luxury we afforded ourselves was a nicer T.V. does that make me a bad person. while the haves enjoy nicer clothes, vacations, and generally better educations, according to you guys, the have nots need to give up anything extra. just to pay for something like health-care?

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by dmek25

you guys make me laugh. i guess if you are poor, you aren't allowed to watch T.V.? what exactly does it mean if someone has a satellite dish? if they had cable, would you feel the same way? in alot of places, direct T.V. is cheaper then comcast, so maybe its a cheaper alternative, so they can still watch. when i lived under the poverty line, the one luxury we afforded ourselves was a nicer T.V. does that make me a bad person. while the haves enjoy nicer clothes, vacations, and generally better educations, according to you guys, the have nots need to give up anything extra. just to pay for something like health-care?

Yes, that's generally how it should work. You should pay for your needs first: shelter, food, water, heat, clothes, and healthcare. If you have any money leftover, then you can spend it on luxury items like sattellite or cable TV. If you don't have any money leftover, then you don't subscribe to cable or sattellite TV. That simple.

That's called living within your means and keeping your priorities straight.

If you get cable or sattellite, and then turn around and go without health insurance, then you're an idiot, and are only contributing to our nation's healthcare problems.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yes, that's generally how it should work. You should pay for your needs first: shelter, food, water, heat, clothes, and healthcare. If you have any money leftover, then you can spend it on luxury items like sattellite or cable TV. If you don't have any money leftover, then you don't subscribe to cable or sattellite TV. That simple.

That's called living within your means and keeping your priorities straight.

If you get cable or sattellite, and then turn around and go without health insurance, then you're an idiot, and are only contributing to our nation's healthcare problems.

Alright I'm getting scared now. We have been on the same page for a while now.

[dmek25]

people that cannot afford health care live a life of hope. the hope that nothing happens to them or a family member. to a hard working family that just cant make it, to begrudge them something that might be able to give them a little pleasure in an otherwise sucky life is ridiculous

[Redskin]

Originally Posted by dmek25

people that cannot afford health care live a life of hope. the hope that nothing happens to them or a family member. to a hard working family that just cant make it, to begrudge them something that might be able to give them a little pleasure in an otherwise sucky life is ridiculous

To say you cant live without TV is rediculous

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by dmek25

people that cannot afford health care live a life of hope. the hope that nothing happens to them or a family member. to a hard working family that just cant make it, to begrudge them something that might be able to give them a little pleasure in an otherwise sucky life is ridiculous

You're kidding me right? TV is so important that it trumps healthcare? How about that family that can't afford healthcare SAVING the money so they can get healthcare sooner rather than relying on others to pay up for them for longer.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by dmek25

people that cannot afford health care live a life of hope. the hope that nothing happens to them or a family member. to a hard working family that just cant make it, to begrudge them something that might be able to give them a little pleasure in an otherwise sucky life is ridiculous

I think you are confusing "can not" and "will not". If a guy can afford the luxury of $40-$100 for TV per month, he can certainly afford healthcare, and more importantly, SHOULD afford healthcare.

These are basic simple decisions in life:
Do I buy beer, or do I buy my baby formula...FORMULA.
Do I go buy a movie or two, or do I buy diapers...DIAPERS.
Do I buy drugs, or do I buy food for my family...FOOD.
Do I buy DirecTV (or cable), or do I buy healthcare...HEALTHCARE.

If these people need someone like me to spell it out for them, then they really should be put on an island somewhere and disposed of.

These people are taking a gamble and using "I can't afford it" as an excuse. Sure, a lot of people have low incomes, but that means you should live a modest life. This isn't rocket science. Problem is, there are so many people that will tell them everyone else is doing better, therefore those people should help. When in actuality, people should be telling this guy to get an education or work hard to advance or something like that.
You need to ask yourself, how many truely hard workers are making only $5.75 an hour (that's fed. min. wage)? I don't know a single honest hard working person that makes that. The hard workers will move up somewhere and make more money. Even nurses aids (who wipe butt for living) START at around $8-$8.50 or more per hour. The lazy people of the world, and the complainers with their hands out make that, and have no chance of moving up the chain. It's time for everyone to stop blaming others for their mistakes, and stop expecting others to help them out. Take responsibility for their actions.
I knew a guy (I played softball with him) he went from job to job and was into drugs. He felt that he was given the shaft in his life and that people like myself were born with a silver spoon in my mouth (not knowing, or care to know the truth). He was so caught up in his own wrong ideas that he was very lazy and didn't want to work hard to get ahead. One day he took a general labor job at $10/hr that he had to get clean for...If I recall it was helping with paving roads, literally digging ditches. Everyone told him, just try working hard for them and see what happens. The job sucked, but he busted his ass every day, and he's now the supervisor making around 50k a year. This is not uncommon to get this kind of opportunity...it all comes down to the willingness to work hard. I didn't get where I am by being lazy, and neither did the majority of the people on this website. People tell me, "well you have a master's degree to fall back on"...they are right, I do, but I sucked it up and busted my ass to get that degree. I had no money, and hated school, but I gave an all out effort so I could have that degree to fall back on today.
Sure we all fall on bad times, some will see it as a challenge and give a solid effort and others will fold up shop.

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by dmek25

people that cannot afford health care live a life of hope. the hope that nothing happens to them or a family member. to a hard working family that just cant make it, to begrudge them something that might be able to give them a little pleasure in an otherwise sucky life is ridiculous

Officially the most asinine thing I've read this week.