Wednesday Open Thread | They Just Don’t Quit Trying to Attack Obamacare

These demons never stop trying to hurt millions of Americans.

Trump Administration Proposes Obamacare-Flouting Health Plans
By Benjamin Hart

The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed to make available short-term health plans that don’t cover preexisting conditions, in yet another effort to undermine the Affordable Care Act.

Trump previewed the move in October, when he signed an executive order allowing the development of such plans.

Under Obamacare, short-term coverage can last up to three months, and is meant to be a bridge between jobs or school and work. But the new rule would expand that range to 364 days, and Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said that the administration is considering the possibility that customers could renew their coverage for longer.

The Affordable Care Act banned these kinds of bare-bones plans, which were widely available in the pre-Obamacare era, because they lack many of the protections mandated by the law. Beyond preexisting conditions, they also don’t have to provide what are known as “essential health benefits,” which include maternity care and addiction treatment.

Because of their skimpiness, the plans tend to be cheaper than the cheapest offerings in the Obamacare individual marketplaces. The administration framed its decision as a win for consumers.

“Americans need more choices in health insurance so they can find coverage that meets their needs,” Alex Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services, said. “The status quo is failing too many Americans who face skyrocketing costs and fewer and fewer choices.”

But, as HuffPost’s Jonathan Cohn lays out, the new regulation is likely bad news for both consumers and the health-care system at large.

Freed from the shackles of a lightly regulated health-care system, insurers can get away with charging huge fees to often-unwitting consumers, leaving them saddled with onerous medical debt.

 

Another Article:

Trump’s quiet campaign to bring back preexisting conditions
The administration is waging a quiet regulatory war against Obamacare
By Sarah Kliff and Dylan Scott
Feb 22, 2018, 8:10am EST

…………………

The Trump administration was already weakening Obamacare

Already in recent weeks, the Trump administration has shown little interest in enforcing Obamacare’s guarantee that healthy and sick people get access to the same type of health insurance.
For example, it hasn’t intervened in Idaho, where regulators recently told insurers they can simply disregard many of the Affordable Care Act rules and sell new “freedom plans” that discriminate against sicker enrollees.

Typically, you’d expect the federal government to get involved — to step in and enforce federal law when a state refuses. But when pressed by a reporter on this issue Tuesday, HHS Secretary Alex Azar demurred.

“I’m not in a position to rule on something I’ve seen a media report about,” he said, adding that he doesn’t “believe in premature opinions on complex topics.”
The Trump administration wants to widen access to plans that deny coverage for preexisting conditions and discriminate against women.
Short-term coverage is allowed to skirt several of the health care law’s core provisions: Plans can deny people insurance based on their medical history, charge them higher premiums because of their preexisting medical conditions, and craft skimpy benefits packages that will appeal mostly to young and healthy people.

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121 Responses to Wednesday Open Thread | They Just Don’t Quit Trying to Attack Obamacare

  1. vitaminlover says:

    OMG! Lawrence O’Donnell just made the comment that everybody Democrats} in that room with chimp knows that he’s an ignoramus! Love it!

  2. yahtzeebutterfly says:

    The #MarchForOurLives march will take place on March 24, 2018 to push for gun control.
    https://event.marchforourlives.com/event/march-our-lives-events/search/

    Their mission statement is at this link:
    https://www.marchforourlives.com/mission-statement/

  3. yahtzeebutterfly says:

    Excerpt from https://www.forbes.com/sites/aaronkwittken/2018/02/28/quickly-unpacking-the-fedex-nra-press-statement/#44cd4a06f5fe

    Amidst heavy criticism, and facing boycotts by consumers for not ending a marketing partnership with the NRA, FedEx issued a press statement to “provide important clarifying facts.” This short statement can be used as a learning moment for all PR people and brand communicators on WHAT NOT TO DO!

    Let me quickly unpack the statement for you, which you can also view in this post.

  4. eliihass says:

    The hits keep coming fam..

    “…Early last year, a private equity billionaire started paying regular visits to the White House.

    Joshua Harris, a founder of Apollo Global Management, was advising Trump administration officials on infrastructure policy. During that period, he met on multiple occasions with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, said three people familiar with the meetings. Among other things, the two men discussed a possible White House job for Mr. Harris.

    The job never materialized, but in November, Apollo lent $184 million to Mr. Kushner’s family real estate firm, Kushner Companies. The loan was to refinance the mortgage on a Chicago skyscraper.

    Even by the standards of Apollo, one of the world’s largest private equity firms, the previously unreported transaction with the Kushners was a big deal: It was triple the size of the average property loan made by Apollo’s real estate lending arm, securities filings show.

    It was one of the largest loans Kushner Companies received last year. An even larger loan came from Citigroup, which lent the firm and one of its partners $325 million to help finance a group of office buildings in Brooklyn…”

    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/jared-kushner-apollo-citigroup-loans.html

  5. Ametia says:

    Repost because, there is so much SHADE in this benediction, I am sitting in a lawn chair on the beach sipping a virgin pina colada without an umbrella.

    Senate Chaplain benediction at Billy Graham memorial service Senate Chaplain Admiral Barry Black addresses God, the fountain of every blessing, praising the gift of evangelist Franklin Graham, Junior, for using him to preach the gospel around the world, counsel, and pray for national and global leaders while inviting the multitudes to start and sustain an experiential relationship with God. Black praises his scandal free life of integrity characterized by conduct above reproach, God blessing Graham through a commitment to bring deliverance to those held captive by sin, restore sight to the morally and ethically blind and set on the path to freedom those shackled by addictions and despair. Black thanks God that the force of his convictions transcended bounds of humanity creating a spirit of oneness, inspired by Graham that all become salt and light to their generation, asking to be used as Graham was so that words and meditations are always acceptable.

    https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/senate-chaplain-admiral-barry-black-addresses-god-the-news-footage/925857724

    • majiir says:

      I’m a retired GA teacher. I worked with some teachers that I wouldn’t want authorized to carry guns under any conditions. These were angry individuals who obviously didn’t like kids and were mean as snakes, making them the last persons who should have guns in schools and classrooms.

  6. Ametia says:

    Major side eye to that Bob Costas on Hardball, playing up Trump as some special loner who does what he wants. Seriously, I haven’t seen such fuckery and nonsense since back in the day when my dad watched those TV westerns. Ya’ll know the ones were there was one lone cowboy in town who everybody was scared of and let him run amok.

    I,CAN’T with these fake journos.

    • eliihass says:

      As we’ve long-established here Sis …the media is a huge part of the problem with their endless enabling, muddying up and coverup …

      Look at Maggie Haberman of the New York Times for instance.. she’s spent the entire afternoon acting as if she were Hope Hicks’ pr person..

    • Liza says:

      LMAO. I can’t begin to tell you how much I hate westerns then and now.

    • eliihass says:

      The same folks breaking every kind of news that supports collusion and implicates the buffoon and co., are the same folks in the next breath worrying out loud how the buffoon will ever manage without Hope Hicks ‘for the next 7 years of his ‘presidency’..’ WTF..

      And upset that the buffoon hasn’t yet confirmed attendance at this year’s WHCD…

      You can’t make this stuff up..

  7. eliihass says:

    Why..?
    What is in his and his family’s business dealings with Russia that he’s so determined to hide, that he’d betray our country.. And why is he still ‘president’..👌🏻🤔👌🏻🤔

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6AP4cJ7FK7w

  8. eliihass says:

    Ugh..

    Anthony ‘the weasel’ Scaramucci.. still desperately auditioning for a spot with the buffoon..

  9. eliihass says:

    “…Family and friends of Hope Hicks believe the White House communications director will have to seek professional counseling after she leaves her job in the administration, according to a report published Thursday.

    “Following the Trump victory and her [Hope Hicks] move into the White House, her friends and intimates talked with great concern about what kind of therapies and recuperation she would need after her tenure was finally over,” an excerpt from Michael Wolff’s forthcoming book “Fire and Fury” stated, as reprinted in GQ.

    Hicks, 29, was the first person President Trump’s campaign hired in 2015. She had worked for Matthew Hiltzik’s New York-based public relations firm before jumping to Ivanka Trump’s fashion brand, where the eldest Trump daughter recommended Hicks for her father’s campaign.

    “As the campaign progressed, moving from novelty project to political factor to juggernaut, Hicks’ family increasingly, and incredulously, viewed her as if having been taken captive,” Wolff wrote.

    Despite having worked directly for Trump over the past two and a half years, the now-president has had moments of intense rage with her performance.

    “On more than one occasion, after a day – one of the countless days – of particularly bad notices, the president greeted her, affectionately, with ‘You must be the world’s worst PR person,'” the same excerpt stated.

    Hicks took over for former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci in August and served as press secretary during the campaign…”

    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/hope-hicks-family-friends-say-shell-need-therapy-after-she-leaves-trump-report/article/2644967

    • eliihass says:

      “..In Early February, White House staff secretary Rob Porter resigned after two of his ex-wives detailed physical abuse they suffered. Porter has denied the allegations and was initially supported by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Hicks had a hand in drafting a statement from Kelly, despite the fact that Hicks herself is allegedly romantically involved with Porter. The tide turned against Porter when it was revealed that White House officials have known for months about the allegations and that a year into the administration, Porter still does not have security clearance.

      CNN reported that Hicks continued to privately defend Porter to her colleagues after he resigned, and that Trump has grown frustrated with the once-untouchable Hicks: “Trump has told associates he feels that Hicks put her own priorities ahead of his. However, there is little to indicate that Hicks’ standing is in jeopardy…”

      https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/news/a9056/hope-hicks-facts/

    • Ametia says:

      Zero, zilch, nada, none =sympathy

      Anyone who hitched them selves to #45 gets zero fucks to give

    • rikyrah says:

      She SO lied to Bobby Three Sticks

      • eliihass says:

        When toddlers play dress-up ..

        Looks like she wasn’t that big on the #MAGA .. Nowhere to be found in her resignation statement.. Not even a gratuitous salute to #MAGA ..

        “..There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump,” Ms. Hicks said in a statement Wednesday. “I wish the President and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country.”

        In a statement, Mr. Trump called Ms. Hicks “outstanding” and “as smart and thoughtful as they come.”

        “I will miss having her by my side but when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I totally understood,” Mr. Trump said. “I am sure we will work together again in the future..”

      • Ametia says:

        “I am sure we will work together again in the future..”

        DELUSIONAL

    • coach4divas says:

      co sign. where is the tiny violin gif, chicas? LOL

      Anyone who went to work in this administration needed counseling. Or a soul.

  10. Breaking News: Hope Hicks is resigning as White House Communications Director.

  11. rikyrah says:

    Debbie Reed Fischer
    ‏@DebbieRFischer
    3h3 hours ago
    More
    Comfort therapy dogs waiting to greet Stoneman Douglas kids this morning for their first day back

  12. rikyrah says:

    ‘Going rate’ to buy a job in Dorothy Brown’s office is $10,000, employee tells feds
    By Jason Meisner
    Chicago Tribune

    One employee told federal investigators that the “going rate” to a buy a job in Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown’s office was $10,000, to be paid to her personal bagman.

    Another said in an FBI interview it was well known that showering gifts on Brown could earn you a promotion, citing a trip Brown took to India that was partially paid for by relatives of one of her top employees.

    Financial records appeared to back up the claims, including transactions showing the alleged bagman — who is also a clerk’s office employee — paid $40,000 directly to Brown and a company she controlled. The clerk later deposited $30,000 of those funds into her campaign war chest.

    Those allegations are among several startling new details revealed by federal prosecutors in a court filing in the pending case against Beena Patel, one of Brown’s former aides whose relative helped fund the India trip in 2013.

  13. eliihass says:

    Awwww.. My phenomenal FLOTUS touching hearts and moving folks, one candid conversation at a time..

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BfrNTGojjMH/

    • eliihass says:

      Here’s the young lady in question with her mom..

      She writes in response to a friend’s question about the event with our historic FLOTUS:

      “..It was just amazing. She is so knowledgeable, gracious, articulate, poised, and wise (among so many other things!). I felt so affirmed and inspired. I’m still a little emotional about how wonderful it was! I would’ve happily listened to her speak all night long. ❤️

      https://www.instagram.com/p/BfJ9dxVDEvC/

  14. eliihass says:

    LOL..

    Someone’s trying way too hard to prove that he knows and understands the issue well.. 😂😂

  15. eliihass says:

    Joe Manchin won’t even stand up and honestly correct the lie that the recent past President of his own party, was not actually very engaged in finding a resolution to the gun violence issue..

    When Pat Toomey is even more willing to give credit..

  16. eliihass says:

    Panamanian police have returned to @realdonaldtrump’s hotel, this time in tactical gear, reports @partlowj. Not sure what’s happening yet. pic.twitter.com/G7DDipmgb9— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) February 28, 2018

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

  17. eliihass says:

    Exactly why the Emoluments clause exists. https://t.co/yvnGdyRwEW— (((Nancy B Parent))) (@Nanbp) February 28, 2018

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

  18. eliihass says:

    How on earth do you call and have a ‘bipartisan’ meeting in response to the Florida school shooting, without inviting the senior Senator from Florida..?

    Crazy..

  19. Liza says:

    Sorry, Marco. You’re not one of the good guys. Stop pretending.

    https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/968829963007864834

  20. eliihass says:

    Lord, forgive me..

    But I’m really so glad the Obamas simply put out a gracious statement, but didn’t go trudging to North Carolina to ‘pay their respects’, like Bush 43 & wife, and Bill Clinton did..

    I can understand the Bushes and Clinton… they were quite pally with Graham..

    But Billy Graham for the first time ever, actually came out and endorsed a presidential candidate – Romney – against President Obama in 2012.. That move more than any, was so telling..

    The Alt-Right as you can imagine, are boiling over with rage that the Obamas aren’t doing a North Carolina pilgrimage.. They hate it when they’re denied any opportunity to exploit and control the narrative with regard to the Obamas.. Nevermind that Franklin jr. who has no qualms fully embracing a lying, thieving, grossly immoral traitor, has been for so long, a fierce hate-monger and unrepentant propagate of the birther off-shoot ‘he’s not a Christian’ hate group..

    They’re a confused bunch, the Alt-Right crowd… completely obsessed with the Obamas, and can’t decide if they want them to hang around, but only show up on-demand… whenever it suits the purposes of the racists.. or ‘permanently disappear’… ‘just go away’ as they all always jealously and angrily demand as they troll the popular and beloved Obamas –

    I just love that all the former living presidents and their wives – except maybe Carter (boo!) – are refusing to legitimize or normalize the buffoon, by not showing up at the funeral as was fantasized and planned by the evil spawn Franklin jr.. with his ‘all the living presidents are to attend the funeral’ spin..

    I’ve seen some folks insisting that Billy Graham was some indispensable ‘civil rights’ supporter.. That he practically fed and clothe MLK..

    Perhaps in much the same way Charleston Heston was such a ‘pillar’ of the civil rights movement 🙄🙄..or how John McCain was a dear, dear friend and tireless Obama ‘defender’ because that one time he took the mic away from the one woman he and his racist V.P pick had actively cultivated and primed to hate and spew..

    As I’ve often shared with my fam here, it’s probably the same stories that’ll be spun in the future when the future descendants of say Rupert Murdoch, John Boehner or slimy Paul Ryan whip out photographs to support their assertion that their great grandpa was really, really close – and such a great friend of the historic President..

  21. Ametia says:

    THE DEVIL HIMSELF

    Trump pays tribute to Rev. Billy Graham; body lies in honor at US Capitol
    Updated: Feb 28, 2018 – 12:22 PM

    http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/body-of-rev-billy-graham-will-lie-in-honor-wednesday-at-us-capitol/708462477

  22. rikyrah says:

    I say this as a former Secretary of State and as an American: the Russians are still coming. Our intelligence professionals are imploring Trump to act. Will he continue to ignore & surrender, or protect our country?https://t.co/Z6uaSCgdF6

    — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 28, 2018

  23. eliihass says:

    Oh fam..

    I need to find and post the Senate Chaplain Barry Black’s Benediction at the Graham event at the Capitol rotunda a little while ago… It was really something.. LOL..

    “..Lord, we’re grateful for his scandal-free life of integrity…”

    Oh my Lord.. 😂😂

    Even some of the Congress folks ..the fake Christians who at first had their heads bowed and eyes closed like the bonafide Pharisees they all are …stung by the words being prayed, and quite unnerved and discomfited, started peeking through their now half opened eyes ..

    It was something to behold..

    I only wished they’d panned to the buffoon, because that benediction prayer was clearly mostly aimed at him, and of course, his fake ‘christian’ pal, Franklin jr..and the rest of the fake family values clowns..

  24. rikyrah says:

    Democracy is under attack from voter suppression, gerrymandering & dark money. I discussed with @deray on new @crookedmedia podhttps://t.co/Zo2emhxC0W

    — Ari Berman (@AriBerman) February 28, 2018

  25. rikyrah says:

    Hat tip-BJ

    The Teacher Who Taught His Students to Challenge the NRA on the Day They Lost 17 of Their Own
    Jorge Rivas
    Yesterday 12:25pm

    On the day of the shooting, Foster taught the AP Gov students about special interest groups, like the NAACP, American Medical Association, and the National Rifle Association. His lesson plan that day included a discussion about the Columbine and Sandy Hook school shootings, with emphasis on how every politician comes out afterward a tragedy to say the right thing about changing gun regulation. The students learned how the NRA goes to work as soon news reporters and the public move on to the next story.

    “That’s not the NRA’s fault, that’s our fault,” Foster says. “We lose attention and that’s why interest groups run the country. If it’s not the NRA then it’s another group.”

    Foster teaches AP Government all day: It’s the only subject he teaches. He had taught this particular special interest lesson four times by the time the gunman started shooting.

    The following day the students were scheduled to have a test on the special interest chapter. The exam was supposed to include a free response question asking students what techniques the NRA used to be successful. The students were supposed to discuss how the NRA used mass mobilization, campaign contributions, and litigation to push their agenda forward.

  26. Ametia says:
  27. Liza says:

    A far better use of their time, I would say.

    https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/968803342309908480

  28. rikyrah says:

    Officials in at least 4 countries (UAE, China, Israel, Mexico) have privately discussed ways they can manipulate Jared Kushner by taking advantage of his complex biz arrangements, financial difficulties and lack of foreign policy experience, WaPo reports. https://t.co/mwt9wsNlS2

    — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 27, 2018

  29. rikyrah says:

    UH HUH

    What is up with Levi Sanders and women of color. Kamala Harris supports a good position and your response is…. to attack her? Great look, bro. pic.twitter.com/3GHSzll8JV— Aphra Behn (@Shaker_aphra) February 28, 2018

  30. rikyrah says:

    Dolly Parton likes to give away books. She just donated her 100 millionth. https://t.co/O1GD7skCuH

    — Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 27, 2018

  31. rikyrah says:

    Can’t make it to DC on March 24? You can now see if there’s a march in your area – and if not, create your own & check out the toolkit! Thanks to @everytown @GiffordsCourage for supporting this effort. #MarchForOurLives https://t.co/HrHYh9rwIE

    — Emma González (@Emma4Change) February 27, 2018

  32. yahtzeebutterfly says:

    ‘Green Book’ for Black Travelers Was Powerful Tool for Women Entrepreneurs
    https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Green-Book-for-Black-Travelers-Was-Powerful-Tool-for-Women-Entrepreneurs-474146753.html

    Hotels and businesses run by Black women advertised their hotels ad businesses in the Green Book.

  33. rikyrah says:

    Democrats flip seats in N.H., Connecticut special elections

    Rachel Maddow reports on three state special elections, two of which, in New Hampshire and Connecticut, were formerly Republican-held and flipped by Democrats, and a third, in Kentucky, that was retained by Republicans but saw a 28 point Democratic swing versus Donald Trump’s 2016 victory in that district.

  34. rikyrah says:

    Hotel in Panama fights to shed Trump name citing name’s stigma

    David Fahrenthold, reporter for The Washington Post, talks with Rachel Maddow about the Trump hotel in Panama fighting to remove Donald Trump’s name, and the potential political implications if Trump tries tries to insert himself.

  35. rikyrah says:

    Potential for blackmail an obstacle to Kushner security clearance

    Nicolle Wallace, former White House communications director for George W. Bush, talks with Rachel Maddow about why Jared Kushner’s security situation in the Trump White House is not only unusual and politically awkward, but dangerous.

  36. rikyrah says:

    Kushner eyed over foreign contacts, vulnerability to manipulation

    Shane Harris, intelligence and national security reporter for The Washington Post, talks with Rachel Maddow about new reporting about concerns over Jared Kushner’s interactions with foreign officials and efforts to manipulate him.

  37. rikyrah says:

    News day inundated with Trump scandals

    Rachel Maddow rounds up the overwhelming number of major news stories that broke over the course of the day, including the NSA director’s Senate testimony, the Trump 2020 campaign manager’s ties to a sketchy company, new contacts exposed between Roger Stone and WikiLeaks, and more White House departures.

  38. rikyrah says:

    Pence: Abortion will end in U.S. ‘in our time’
    BY JESSIE HELLMANN – 02/27/18 02:56 PM EST

    Vice President Pence predicted Tuesday that legal abortion would end in the U.S. “in our time.”

    “I know in my heart of hearts this will be the generation that restores life in America,” Pence said at a luncheon in Nashville, Tenn., hosted by the Susan B. Anthony List & Life Institute, an anti-abortion organization.

    “If all of us do all we can, we can once again, in our time, restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law.”

    Pence has long championed anti-abortion policies, as a congressman, as the governor of Indiana and as vice president.

    He told the crowd he has seen more progress in the Trump administration’s first year in office than he has in his entire life.

    Since President Trump took office last year, he has signed legislation reversing an Obama-era rule that blocked states from defunding Planned Parenthood and reinstated a ban on federal funds for global health programs that cover or promote abortions.

  39. rikyrah says:

    The point was made on MSNBC last night…
    After yesterday, there doesn’t seem to be a way for
    McMaster
    Kelly
    Kushner

    to ALL be working at the White House.
    That story last night explicitly saying that 4 countries ADMITTED that they were playing Kushner, because he was weak and vulnerable, makes it clear- HE IS A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY.

    …………………………

    Trump family blames Kelly for negative coverage of Kushner: report
    BY JOHN BOWDEN – 02/28/18 08:49 AM EST

    Members of President Trump’s family believe that White House chief of staff John Kelly is allowing Jared Kushner to be exposed to political attacks, Axios reported on Wednesday.

    A White House official told the news outlet that Trump’s family, particularly his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., is furious with Kelly for seemingly leaving President Trump’s son-in-law and adviser open to attack after downgrading his security clearance from “interim top secret” to “interim secret” on Tuesday.

    “‘Javanka’ and Kelly are locked in a death match. Two enter. Only one survives,” the unidentified source told Axios, referring to Kushner and his wife, first daughter Ivanka Trump.

  40. rikyrah says:

    UH HUH
    UH HUH

    Company with DeVos ties awarded Education Dept debt-collection contract: report
    BY JACQUELINE THOMSEN – 01/13/18 07:09 PM EST

    The Education Department has awarded a contract to a company with financial ties to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, The Washington Post reports.

    Performant Financial Corp. is one of two companies selected by the Education Department to help the department collect overdue student loans. Windham Professionals also secured a contract.
    DeVos invested in a firm tied to Performant before she was named Education Secretary and was required to divest from that company within 90 days of her confirmation.
    An Education Department spokesman told The Post that DeVos had “no knowledge, let alone involvement,” in the contract with Performant.

  41. rikyrah says:

    These rotten, evil azz muthaphuckas.

    GOLDMAN SACHS: There’s an attractive way to profit from the $1.3 trillion student-loan bubble
    Akin Oyedele
    Dec. 9, 2017, 7:05 AM

    The $1.3 trillion student-loan market is a “bubble,” Goldman Sachs strategists said in a recent note.
    The banks believes the market for asset-backed securities refinanced by private lenders like SoFi “may offer relative value” compared to public student-loan securities.
    Asset-backed securities bundle pools of loans with similar risks that investors can profit from when former students make their payments.
    Although student loans are in a bubble, Goldman doesn’t see them as a risk to overall financial stability.

  42. rikyrah says:

    TEE HEE HEE

    I spoke to a source I hadn’t spoken with in months. We’d had a bit of a falling out. Not bad-I mean they did pick up the phone-so they kind of quipped, “you’ve got one question”….what would you ask? Anyway, I asked “Did Gates deliver Trump”. They said, “yes” and hung up.

    — Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) February 27, 2018

    • eliihass says:

      Obviously..

      Whenever the buffoon starts tweeting super-crazily… or makes an out of left field announcement like the crooked Russian-owned former ‘digital’ guy turned campaign manager for a non-existent future ‘re-election’… or when he clearly hasn’t slept and so piles on the fake bottled tan..

      You know he’s uneasy and something’s up..

  43. rikyrah says:

    What humors me is that little Marco thinks his platitudes are gonna quiet the students who see him for the empty shell that he is.

    The debate after #Parkland reminds us We The People don’t really like each other very much.We smear those who refuse to agree with us.We claim a Judea-Christian heritage but celebrate arrogance & boasting. & worst of all we have infected the next generation with the same disease

    — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 28, 2018

  44. yahtzeebutterfly says:

    “How Chicago Ticket Debt Sends Black Motorists Into Bankruptcy
    A cash-strapped city employs punitive measures to collect from cash-strapped residents — and lawyers benefit.”

    https://features.propublica.org/driven-into-debt/chicago-ticket-debt-bankruptcy/

  45. yahtzeebutterfly says:

    Excerpt from
    https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/the-history-of-assimilation-as-a-racist-code-word.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=traffic&utm_source=TheAngle_newsletter&sid=57ea8f14a22762b55f8b456c

    The Trump administration, which has a habit of responding to accusations of prejudice with offense and indignation, has staunchly rejected the notion that its immigration agenda is driven by racial animus and instead peddled it using other terms. “Ending chain migration and also ending the visa lottery will allow us to have common sense immigration rules that promote assimilation and wage growth,” Trump has claimed.

    For Trump, “assimilation” is a particularly loaded code word. If his goal were truly to promote social cohesion, an immigration policy which privileges those with strong familial ties to current residents would seem an optimal tack. In speaking of assimilation as the ultimate virtue, though, the Trump administration is referring to something else entirely, harkening back to a time when citizenship was contingent upon whiteness. A series of cases from the early 1920s demonstrates what has happened when America has formalized “assimilation” as a legal concept, rather than a loose social construction—it is used to codify special privileges for whites and legitimize abuse toward people of color.

  46. yahtzeebutterfly says:

    I hope more stores will do this:
    News this morning:
    “Dick’s, Major Gun Retailer, Will Stop Selling Assault-Style Rifles”
    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/dicks-major-gun-retailer-will-stop-selling-assault-style-rifles.html

  47. rikyrah says:

    Good Morning,Everyone 😄😄😄

    • yahtzeebutterfly says:

      Good Morning, Rikyrah.

      Thanks for keeping us informed about all that is going on around the issue of health care. Legislators need to apply the Golden Rule as they consider and vote on this issue.

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