A problem with ACA is it didnt address run away medical expenses.

That would have killed ACA.

Still, that is a serious problem.

Not addressing it, is like a dog chasing its tail running faster and faster and faster.

Dan,

He had to pay a bigger insurance invoice that took more out of cash flow.

Dan,

"Plus, the self-employed get to write off 100% of the premiums against taxable income, including a spouse's premiums"

So they don't pay income taxes on it.

It's still an expense.

This self employed business owner told me his policy was taken from him because it had a high deductible and he had to pay for a more expensive policy.

Dan,

I double checked and found that, overall, rates did drop after ACA.

But my main point is this has been building for decades. Everywhere I worked, group plans climbed year after year often in the double digit.

I knew small businesses and self-employed who said ACA hurt them.

Health insurance costs have been rising faster than almost everything else for decades. The ACA didn't start that. Didn't fix it either.

I wrote that...not AI.

Going back to the early 90's, every small or medium sized company I did accounting work reported their annual group health insursnce renewal rate increased 5 to 15 percent...or more.

Every company always substantial increases.

That showed me it was inevitable health care costs are guaranteed to become a crisis at some point.

Obama's ACA health care accelerated it.

This problem has been a long time coming.

Double digit increases year after year something's gotta give.

Redial,

I research and write drafts.

AI helps me make my thoughts clearer or less offensive.

I don't always use it.

I researched the rates and used the difference to show how much has gone up.

Accounting was where I worked before retiring.

Grok says I totally get you.

Last year food inflation was 2.3. So far this year it's 2.9.

Are tariffs really enough to explain that extra 0.6?

Or what else?

Last year 2.3

This year so far 2.9

Everyone wants to point fingers when food prices go up. But the data shows inflation spiked in 2022 because of a mix of global and domestic factors.

So what's really pushing prices now? It feels a little too easy to just blame tariffs. What's the real driver?

Redial,

I agree with you.

So pick up the thread.

Biden's stimulus checks or Trump's tariffs?

Redial,

It all depends on if you believe food prices highest percent increase last 5 years was in 2022 or 2025.

Redial,

Soaring grocery prices?

Who do you blame it on?

I'll check out your profile or post history to see if I can guess?

Snoofy,

"You think trans people can be corrected. That they are wrong about who they are.
Why can't gay people be corrected. Why aren't gay people wrong about who they are?"

The current requirements for transitioning do not require mental help reviews or counseling. Only signed consent.

That's fine for adults. It's their decision.

Children is another story. Robust mental health care and ongoing support is a must. If dysphoria persists into later adolescence, then a fully informed decision can be made. Removing parents from the process is a frightening idea in my estimation.

Why can't gay people "be corrected"?

I don't know but I guarantee if they ever figure out how to alter one's sexual orientation, the percentage of gays in the general population would drop.

It's a personal journey figuring out and deciding if you're gay. For some it's plain as day. "NO WAY" or "Of Course". And some others it's a harder decision. Social or political pressure can confuse the situation and create frustration.

Just my opinion.

Snoofy,

"Why would it matter if a soldier is gay or not?"

The opinion, at one time, was the concern they could be open to blackmail.
And unit cohesiveness. In military culture that is imperative.
Until more recently, straight military men couldn't deal with it.

"Why would it matter if a soldier is trans or not?"

All sorts of issues.
Health, medical needs, putting too much emphasis on personal political demands instead of unit cohesiveness.
There's a lot more to it. Like I said, it's complicated.

I answered you.
Now I'm done with you.

Laura,

"Transgender people have been serving the military without incident."

Not sure what you think "transgender" actually means.

In 2016 they were allowed to wear uniforms of the opposite gender, I believe, if they transitioned.

Since then it's been reversed, reinstated and reversed again.

Like I said, it's complicated.

I think you're confusing gays serving in the military, which is settled, with your idea that military service is about playing dress-up.

Snoofy,

And I was called a troll??

Begone..

Snoofy,

"One thing Trump is trying to do is kick the transgenders out of the military."

Transgenders in the military is complicated.

The military is responsible for national defense.

Not everyone is allowed to join.

Speak,

There's no shortage of people who, saying they dislike gays, is putting it mildly.

I could tell you stories, even in the last 10 years, I have had to deal with discrimination.

While Project 2025 contains many elements I agree with, it will be imperative to not undermine protection for gay people.

In fact I would support a full blown Gay Equality Act.

Snoofy,

You're oblivious apparently.

The military has always had gays serving.

Anyone who had to answer questions had to lie about it.

But that's their whole life. Not just military.

You're showing a total lack of empathy and understanding.

Even today there are people who choose to keep it private and that is their business, not yours.

Keep your ugly attitudes to yourself judging gay people for not coming out.

Lamp,

Not sure what you mean.

If you're confusing me with another alias, you can relax on that.

I am me and I've always been me and no one else is me.

I'm me.

Lamp,

Again...not taking the bait.

Unless you're living in a cave, you should be able to list some things.

Yav,

"Bill Johnson, weren't you one of those? I believe you were."

It gets complicated.

I attended a conservative church over 20 years.

But...I was a Democrat at that time.

I never supported gay conversation or whatever.

I have always believed gays can be Christians while some conservatives believe they are mutually exclusive.

After voting Democrat for years, I voted for Trump.

Yav,

"gays need different things than straight people"

Not really.

Both gays and straights need protection from discrimination.

Gays...it's patchwork but it exists.

And legal recognition of their unions.

Straights and gays basically need the same thing.

Transgenders....it's a different story...should we start with a list?