pirana

How can so many people get this so wrong? Libertarianism grants the individual rights, lots of them; and stipulates that others are not to violate them. So to say it has no controls is just completely wrong. Having rules about the rights of individuals is mutually exclusive of anarchy. Check the party platform. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I think he just likes to shout over the internet. The fact that he insists they are the same thing pretty much destroys his credibility on the topic. It's like labeling all liberals or conservatives with a nasty tag that really only fits the fringe elements at the far end of the spectrum. It's his way of saying he doesn't like them. Kinda like when a woman says she hasn't got a thing to wear. They just mean they want to go shopping cause they don't like what's in the closet. It's actually even deeper than that but that'll do for now. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I am familiar with the Libertarian Party... Most of the idiots claiming they are "Libertarian" have not nor would they ever vote for a candidate from that party. So many closeted rePUBICans... they take the little tests.... want to say NO to everything... then run off to rallies with teabags hung all over hats.. and stuffed where the sun don't shine Again, how do you know how these people vote? Is there some study material or data you can point to? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

This is also nonsense. Mutual aid, communal living, non-hierarchical, gift economies, etc societies were all prevalent in the past. Are you claiming all of those are forms of anarchy? I don't think any of them are mutually exclusive of having a heirarchy (except for the category named non-heirarchical - and name me a society that is or was non-heirarchical). Pure anarchy disappeared long ago; if the definition is everybody for themselves and no rules to follow. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Why bother? The world is going to end in 2012 anyway. Oh hey, before the world ends, anybody interested in a kitten? The timing is perfect. You take the kitten now, get to enjoy it in all it's kittenness; but just as it is turning into the typical disinterested, unaffectionate, aloof mature cat - the world ends. Purr-fect! " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Actually, the executives are getting chopped as well, and were the first group to take the hits. Upper and middle management have taken the biggest hits so far. Also, they did not get to run away with any more money (proportionate to their salary) than anyone else. I'd say I (and everyone else) deserve fair wages for the effort given; and believe I was compensated so over the years. Don't understand this comment: "Why do you think your company has to pay for YOU.. that is not the capitalist way . . ." They paid for me because they needed the effort and I provided it. Pretty simple really. What did you mean by that? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I'm smack dab in between the left and right, and just to the Libertarian side of the centrist box. No surprise since I think either ideological extreme is unhealthy, and we have way too much government. In fact, I think the reason we have too much government is because of the extremes. One extreme needs to be kept in check or they'd be just tickled to fuck everybody over, the other wants huge government agencies to tend to all the minutae of everyday life. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I am labelling MOST of the self professed "libertarians" around here as closeted rePUBICans who have never actually voted for a Libertarian candidate in their lives. They are just too dysfunctional to be honest about how they usually vote... and wish to only be portrayed as "winners" rather than what we are seeing now..."whiners". The anarchists are a whole nother breed..... completely delusional..and has been pointed out, they need a field trip to Somalia so they can live in their wet dream world I agree with you on the anarchists; but we left that behind as a whole when tribes started living close enough together to willfully share resources. Pockets of it do still spring up - unfortunately. So how do you know who all the self-professed Libertarians are actually voting for? I'd agree that if they are not voting their stated affiliation they vote Repub as the lesser of 2 evils. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

As one of the 600 to 700 laid off during the past year at the MN Blue plan, I can assure everyone not all carriers are experiencing skyrocketing profits. Membership is falling steadily as employers reduce or outright eliminate benefit plans and cut payroll. Funding for modernization, projects, enhancements, etc has dried up and it is pretty much just keep things running. Employers try to maintain benefit plans but eventually have to acknowledge financial reality. For that reason there is typically a lag; carriers get hit well after the companies they serve start taking their lumps. Same on the recovery end; they will not begin to recover until the companies they serve make a significant comeback, employment turns around, and enrollment levels rebound. It has nothing to do with carriers, employers, or health care professionals being evil - they are just caught up in the tight money situation like everyone else. I find it hard to believe Obama and Pelosi are that stupid; more likely that as politicians they feel the need to say certain things to keep their huddled constituents believing. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

There are many flavors of Libertarianism; just as there are many flavors of other political/social philosophy. Only one extreme end of that spectrum calls for total anarchy. The centrist position, where most fall and which represents the position of the Libertarian Part in the USA, does look for minimal government intervention in the choices people make. These people feel the government should only engage in a few basic needs - such as defending our borders, diplomatic relations, regulation of essential infrastructure, etc. Labeling all Libertarians as Anarchists is like calling all cats man-eating lions. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Who are these "everybody" and "they"? Your instructors, DZO's, S&TA's? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Maybe you mean simplify the coding? CPT and ICD (for procedures and diagnosis) are already standardized - though they could be simplified. The forms themselves are standardized, but are not required by law to be used (that I know of); however carriers can contractually enforce their use by participating providers. Specifically what coding was being discussed. There are no laws forbidding selling across state lines. Any carrier can sell in any state as long as they comply with the regulations of each state in which they do business. The reform that is needed is a single set of rules at the national level. If that is what they meant, they are spot on. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

The only thing offensive is the statement that the illegal alien community is small. BS. At a minimum of 10 million and growing it is far from small. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Agreed. Our disagreements are nothing compared to the chaos that has caused recent revolutions. Compared to them our issues look more like . . . Tastes great, . . . less filling. Makes for great press though, and I imagine a mockumentary on the topic should be hitting The History Channel any day now. Geez, has their programming gone downhill. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I pretty much agree with what you say. Appears we have 2 major factors that have altered the naturalness (?) of selection. 1 - We have harnessed, or engineered our way out of a lot of risks. (Though a person could make an arguement for that being a perfectly natural process). 2 - We have put a social order in place that assists those at risk. (Certainly it is not the worldwide compassionate utopia some see as a goal, but it is far closer to that than everybody-for-themselves anarchy). " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I skim, then usually end up skiping. There seems to be a direct negative correlation between length of post and value of content. Not a full blown -1, but definitely negative. Skipping the repetitive superlatives and the insults would help to manage post length. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Do they have a Nobel for Work Avoidance? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

The pond, . . . the pool . . . the pond would be good for you. Don't mind if I play through, do you? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Is this Super Dave the Ferrari mechanic? Can't tell looking at the video. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

At the least; they are being very narrow, or maybe it irritates their sense of tradition. At worst, they are threatened by it - which is the worse of the two since that can drive people to do very nasty things. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Which includes getting the shit kicked out of you by members of the staff.....No thanks. That's totally unacceptable for any reason whatsoever. This sounds like fodder for some juicy internet gossip. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Why? People are fully entitled to render an opinion on the last winner of the Nobel, Best Picture Oscar, AL MVP...etc. If a particular award continues to make marginal choices, its perceived value will decrease. And become like a Grammy. I could understand him getting best actor, and maybe even AL MVP (he may not have Mauer's average, but he also hasn't struck out this season even a single time); but the Nobel? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I think that people are too anxious about this. The committee always lists the accomplishments of the recipient. People need to calm down a little. A feeling of calm and a general consensus of direction are part of the list. Let's not undermine an accomplishment. Feelings are important. He took office on Jan 20th. He was nominated before the Feb 1st deadline. As well I would think an American would be proud of another American's victory. I guess some Americans have a different idea of patriotism. I don't do breast-beating patriotism. I'd prefer someone actually accomplished something tangible in order to be rewarded - regardless of their nationality, position, political party, etc. I guess for the Nobel decision makers, getting elected to the office and not being George Bush is good enough. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

This comment shows a huge lack of knowledge on the actual impact insurers have on charges. If billed charge was paid on all claims, health care costs to the consumer would approximately double overnight. There are some very good ideas here; but handing admin completely over to the government and expecting them to foster any kind of competition in general, or keep pressure on prices specifically is wishful thinking. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

A packer can afford a CAR?! Doubles as their apartment. Big money saver, " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley