DOGE

[Pat Hartman]

Maybe you learn how to talk to building officials.

They work for ME and they know I am not in the business. It is their job to facilitate building projects and ensure safety.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

The zoning and permits which restrict and increase the cost of building don't count.

Not as much as you have been programed to believe. Cool Aid drinking again.

Remember that exchange? Tell my why we are programmed again, because this YouTube clip seems to be common sense that makes us retch when we hear about this kind of government abuse.

This is an example of Biden's Build Back Better plan in action. (<hack> <cough>) Sorry, using the word "action" in that context caused me to choke. This is ONE EXAMPLE. ONE of many. Tell me again how we have been programmed to dislike this kind of abuse?

 

[Thales750]

They work for ME and they know I am not in the business. It is their job to facilitate building projects and ensure safety.

I've always gotten along with them fine. I give them respect, and I understand why we have building codes. It helps keep the riff raff out of the business. It also helps keep people from building unsafe swellings.

Modern houses are considerably better than old ones. thanks to the IRC.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

I have interacted with my towns zoning and building departments and they are bureaucrats to the core. Their job is to obstruct whenever possible rather than to facilitate and ensure safety which is how I see their jobs.

Maybe you learn how to talk to building officials.

I just got through a six-month ordeal with my local zoning board because we wanted a variance to allow us to rebuild a fence back like it was originally. The issue was that the fence was built before some new ordinances were enacted. Our grandfathering expired when the fence was damaged and had to be rebuilt. We were not allowed to rebuild the fence like it was. Between the original construction and the time the fence was damaged, a new zoning law was passed regarding driveway visibility. The WORST part of it all was that the fence was damaged because of something done by the local parish (county to everyone else) Parkways division. But, of course, you can't sue them effectively.

I'll spare you the details, but let's just say they were lucky that they screened for weapons at the building where they held the meeting. No, I would have have brought a gun. If I could have carried a small thermonuclear device, the world would have forgiven me for taking them out. But I resisted the temptation. Instead I found a REALLY UGLY fence design that maliciously complied with the rules, so I got my permit peacefully enough. And when I get ribbed for the ugly fence, I will say "Blame that on the zoning board. It's the design they approved."

On the other hand, if the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, I'm on my way because I had the good intention to save my neighbors from ever having to face that zoning board again. I got over it by remembering the old quote attributed to Alexander Pope: "To error is human; to forgive, divine."

 

[Isaac]

Homes are not built by slaves, trinkets at Walmart are sold buy them.

I don't know for sure, but have heard that a decent (responsible, on-time, bright) person at Walmart can quickly climb the retail mgmt ladder.
And GM's of walmart stores make a LOT of money. You have the chance, or can choose to continue checking out. That seems fair to me.

And Costco actually has SUPER good benefits for part timers.

 

[Steve R.]

Dem Senator Van Hollen meets, shakes hands with Abrego Garcia; El Salvador says inmate will remain in custody

Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia on Thursday in El Salvador after being denied access to the inmate multiple times.

www.foxnews.com

This trip raises many significant issues.
Why doesn't Hollen go to Gaza to seek the release of hostages?
The Democrats are attempting to repeate the unfortunate success they had with Floyd and Brown.?
This is pure virtue signaling by Van Hollen.
Why do Democrats care about criminals over the victims?

 

[moke123]

I just got through a six-month ordeal with my local zoning board because we wanted a variance to allow us to rebuild a fence back like it was originally. The issue was that the fence was built before some new ordinances were enacted. Our grandfathering expired when the fence was damaged and had to be rebuilt. We were not allowed to rebuild the fence like it was. Between the original construction and the time the fence was damaged, a new zoning law was passed regarding driveway visibility. The WORST part of it all was that the fence was damaged because of something done by the local parish (county to everyone else) Parkways division. But, of course, you can't sue them effectively.

I'll spare you the details, but let's just say they were lucky that they screened for weapons at the building where they held the meeting. No, I would have have brought a gun. If I could have carried a small thermonuclear device, the world would have forgiven me for taking them out. But I resisted the temptation. Instead I found a REALLY UGLY fence design that maliciously complied with the rules, so I got my permit peacefully enough. And when I get ribbed for the ugly fence, I will say "Blame that on the zoning board. It's the design they approved."

On the other hand, if the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, I'm on my way because I had the good intention to save my neighbors from ever having to face that zoning board again. I got over it by remembering the old quote attributed to Alexander Pope: "To error is human; to forgive, divine."

30 years ago this guy got into a fight with the town over something stupid. This is what he did and has maintained ever since.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Oh, if only I had the money for that...

 

[Thales750]

I don't know for sure, but have heard that a decent (responsible, on-time, bright) person at Walmart can quickly climb the retail mgmt ladder.
And GM's of walmart stores make a LOT of money. You have the chance, or can choose to continue checking out. That seems fair to me.

And Costco actually has SUPER good benefits for part timers.

I totally agree, Walmart dose offer some great upward mobility. What we need is to have universal health care so we (the country) don't have to have this argument about minimum wage, which is inflationary. Universal Health Care is the only mechanism to raise all ships.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Except that in many nations that have Universal Health Care equivalents, you wait so long to be seen that your stage I cancer has become stage III by the time your turn comes around.

 

[NauticalGent]

Except that in many nations that have Universal Health Care equivalents, you wait so long to be seen that your stage I cancer has become stage III by the time your turn comes around.

An inconvenient truth...

 

[AngelSpeaks]

Except that in many nations that have Universal Health Care equivalents, you wait so long to be seen that your stage I cancer has become stage III by the time your turn comes around.

That's why those with means travel to the US for health care.

 

[moke123]

That's why those with means travel to the US

Not anymore.

 

[Thales750]

An inconvenient truth...

propaganda pure and simple.

 

[Thales750]

Health Care is my real platform. All the rest is diversion to keep us slaves. The role of propaganda is to enslave us. Many of you guys have bought it to it lock stock and barrel.

Voting to keep the slave owners in power is as old as the world.

 

[AccessBlaster]

Health Care is my real platform. All the rest is diversion to keep us slaves. The role of propaganda is to enslave us. Many of you guys have bought it to it lock stock and barrel.

Voting to keep the slave owners in power is as old as the world.

I thought it was tariffs

 

[NauticalGent]

propaganda pure and simple.

Something you are intimately familar with...

 

[Isaac]

An inconvenient truth...

I have heard a lot of unpleasant stories about people in Canada and their healthcare, and the Brits on this very forum have said, in some similar wording, that their national healthcare system is about as messed up as it can be - I can't remember who, but I've heard this from >2 British members at least.

That's not to say it CAN'T work, however. I'm starting to wonder if government healthcare is the only solution to our incredibly awful healthcare system. People come to the US for specific aspects of a situation - for example, they may come here for a very advanced treatment based on a very advanced discovery, yes. On the flip side, many people go to Mexico for dental work and a number of surgical procedures. I've had very good experience going to a doctor in Mexico for healthcare, the way I was treated was a million times better than in the US.
So it just depends on the "why" as far as where you fly to : )

One idea is, it may not be that our healthcare system needs to be made public, it may just be the pricing that needs to change. But WHY is the price so high? I firmly believe because of regulations and litigation. The reason you go get an MRI and you see no fewer than 5 different roles of people is that there is a person who went to school to do nothing but wipe off and sanitize things ( yes that's an actual thing that just newly got licensd and created in Arizona!!!!!!!), then there is a person who went to school to do nothing more than set up the MRI machine. Then one whose job is to help you undress. Another to help you check in. Another to check your insurance authorization. Another to take your blood pressure. Another to interpret the MRI - and that's BEFORE the doctor reads it and says the MRI tech was way off base, which I've had happen TWICE.

Now who says the small-business doctor can afford all that crap as easily as the larger clinic/institution?

It's totally ridiculous the way our system is now, but I have a feeling government regulations and litigation are the main reasons you have those 10 roles to do one simple thing. Somehow, things need to be collapsed......

 

[Thales750]

I have heard a lot of unpleasant stories about people in Canada and their healthcare, and the Brits on this very forum have said, in some similar wording, that their national healthcare system is about as messed up as it can be - I can't remember who, but I've heard this from >2 British members at least.

That's not to say it CAN'T work, however. I'm starting to wonder if government healthcare is the only solution to our incredibly awful healthcare system. People come to the US for specific aspects of a situation - for example, they may come here for a very advanced treatment based on a very advanced discovery, yes. On the flip side, many people go to Mexico for dental work and a number of surgical procedures. I've had very good experience going to a doctor in Mexico for healthcare, the way I was treated was a million times better than in the US.
So it just depends on the "why" as far as where you fly to : )

One idea is, it may not be that our healthcare system needs to be made public, it may just be the pricing that needs to change. But WHY is the price so high? I firmly believe because of regulations and litigation. The reason you go get an MRI and you see no fewer than 5 different roles of people is that there is a person who went to school to do nothing but wipe off and sanitize things ( yes that's an actual thing that just newly got licensd and created in Arizona!!!!!!!), then there is a person who went to school to do nothing more than set up the MRI machine. Then one whose job is to help you undress. Another to help you check in. Another to check your insurance authorization. Another to take your blood pressure. Another to interpret the MRI - and that's BEFORE the doctor reads it and says the MRI tech was way off base, which I've had happen TWICE.

It's totally ridiculous the way our system is now, but I have a feeling government regulations and litigation are the main reasons you have those 10 roles to do one simple thing. Somehow, things need to be collapsed......

And yet, 60 million conservatives will tell you evil socialiism to even consider it.

 

[Isaac]

And yet, 60 million conservatives will tell you evil socialiism to even consider it.

I know, I know ....

I believe the right perspective is to be 'scared' of things the government takes over, for all the reasons we've probably all posited and I won't here re-type ..... but in some cases I do agree to consider it. Still, pricing seems to be the issue. Doctors will say their 38,000$ surgery is legit. Insurance companies will say it's only worth $8k. Who's right, and who's wrong, and why? Until we get to the root cause of that, would the government actually do a BETTER and cheaper job? I'm unsure, honestly, but I think the exact wrong response is to just say, Tax someone a bit more and have the goverment pay for it. First we solve the pricing issue, then we consider making it universal or not