Politics | 2014-15

Really, I think the profitization of healthcare is straight evil. It's also stupid on a practical level for a multitude of reasons. Antibacterial resistant strains of bacteria as an example. They're currently not a concern and thus no money to be made. So people aren't investing money into it. However, a centrally planned healthcare system would identify this future shortcoming and start to work on this now.

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostMinimum wage in larger cities should see an increase, but not nation wide. That will just create inflation across the country and devalue the dollar. Someone in bumble fuck Iowa doesn't need to make $15 an hour working at McDonalds. The cost of living doesn't necessitate it. But places such as NYC, SF, Miami, Orlando, LA, Seattle, and Dallas…definitely.

I actually live in bumble fuck Iowa.

LOL

I feel like if a place was actually named "Bumble fuck", it would be in a Dakota.

By a zoojoo Go To PostSooo, what is the general political idealogy makeup in terms of PoliticENT?

I can say for myself, I'm a centrist with a slight left lean.

Eh, I would say that I'm a pessimistic lefty. Bit too cynical of either party to believe that shit will get done often/when it needs to. Still will vote and stay active with whats going on tho
Bernie or Hillary, I'll take both (kinda want Bernie a bit more tho).

Bumblefuck, Indiana. Look it up.

Anyway. Does black culture, and by extension, America need a Cornell West?

I notice the general opinion is that dude is doing the most and is too critical of the President without any rational base, and lost his following and his mainstream buzz, and apparently the support of the black community?

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostThe Costco example was a base example purely for illustration. Might as well replace it with Retailer XYZ to avoid confusion.

I used Starbucks as a real life example of a company who has slightly higher wages for a 'fast food' chain and how it translates to the consumer end. Costco's higher wage already necessitates an annual membership payment with them on top of your purchases.

Costco's membership fees are mostly refunded. When you buy X amount they send you a check for it. And it's not a lot. We have had our $99 fee refunded every year. And their gasoline is consistently 20 cents cheaper than everyone else, often well more.

The membership fees only apply to people who barely shop there which I doubt is a big chunk of their revenues. The higher wages and membership fees are not related. They simple have a great business model and lots of profits and value their employees. I've seen the same guys working there for a decade now.

In N out also starts off much higher. I don't know what it is today, but when I was a late teenager, it was like $7-8 hour and that was early 2000s.

By IWMTB19 Go To PostI can't really tell at all if raising the minimum wage would lead to anything meaningful inflation or if inflation <5% (which we're going to be at for a very long time regardless of our policies) matters at all. I do think minimum wage isn't as good at helping the poor as increasing EITC. Raising the minimum wage helps a good many low income workers but causes others to lose jobs so it can be a good, but not solely good policy for the poor. Raising EITC with tax money from land or inheritance taxes would be almost solely good for the poor.

We need both the min wage raised and the EITC raised. Both work well together and have different benefits and drawbacks so by doing both you kind of negate the drawbacks.

The minimum wage, nationally, is so fucking low right now. Raising it modestly would have almost no effect.

Also, regarding the ACA, the price of insurance was going up for businesses well before the ACA and would have done it to about the same tune without it. They're not that related. Hell, the employer mandated was delayed.

By akira28 Go To PostBumblefuck, Indiana. Look it up.

Anyway. Does black culture, and by extension, America need a Cornell West?

I notice the general opinion is that dude is doing the most and is too critical of the President without any rational base, and lost his following and his mainstream buzz, and apparently the support of the black community?

We need a Cornell West. AND a Michael Eric Dyson. AND a Ta-nehisi Coates. AND a Melissa Harris Perry. AND a Marc Lamont Hill. AND, AND, AND. More voices, more diversity in the voices. The black community isn't a monolith, and the more voices that are out there pushing and pulling, the better the discourse.

agree. I was bemused while reading the BCT snapping on Brother West on the other website. I don't care if he's beefing with M.E.D. As long as he's not sounding like Ben Carson, I'll hear what he has to say.

edit: Mrs.M.. do we need a Don Lemon tho?

No one needs Don Lemon, especially rape victims.

The dumb fuck.

Guys, we got hung up on the Costco example a bit too much. I see what you're all saying, but I really was just using them as a blanket statement. Not every business in the US is a national chains. Not everyone can afford to pay employees increased wages.

Although I'm glad no one combated my other thoughts much at all.

#AlphaSnacks2016

Jeb Bush with some thoughts on how Marco Rubio should be the Republican nominee for president:

WASHINGTON – Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said Wednesday that we ought to phase out Medicare, the federal program that provides health insurance to Americans once they're 65.

"We need to make sure we fulfill the commitment to people that have already received the benefits, that are receiving the benefits," Bush said. "But we need to figure out a way to phase out this program for others and move to a new system that allows them to have something, because they're not going to have anything."

Bush praised Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) for proposing to change Medicare to a system that gives seniors medical vouchers instead of paying their bills directly. He also lamented that "the left" reacted with an ad showing a Paul lookalike pushing an old lady's wheelchair off a cliff.

Since 2011, Ryan's name has been closely associated with his Medicare plan, which Democrats have said would "end Medicare as we know it." Nevertheless, the Mitt Romney campaign in 2012 didn't endorse the plan even after adding Ryan to the ticket as a vice presidential candidate.

"Many people are afraid to act because they’re fearful of just getting beat up politically," Bush said at an Americans for Prosperity event in Manchester, New Hampshire.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeb-bush-medicare_55b11e41e4b0a9b94853e9eb

get rid of medicare?

its like this dude just wants to make independents an actual political party

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostAlthough I'm glad no one combated my other thoughts much at all.

#AlphaSnacks2016

There's only so much time a poster has :p

By DY_nasty Go To Postget rid of medicare?

its like this dude just wants to make independents an actual political party

I can't believe he said that. DNC has to be licking their chops and cutting that shit into commercials in preparation. He's likely to piss off enough of his older republican base. It would be amazing if trump runs as an independant AND Walker beats Jeb.

They're not actually killing Medicare. They're phasing it out to switch to a new system or method of providing the retired/elderly the coverage and medicine they need. I think the reason they want to move it to a new method is because medicare funding is drying up quick isn't it?

Here's an article on how it'll work.

http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/medicare_vouchers_explained.php

Also, NY State passed a $15 wage for fast food workers (2018 for NYC, 2021 for state). Never mind that it sets a terrible precedent (medical assistant jobs get only paid $11-14), but Dunkin Donuts has already said they will be planning layoffs and will avoid hiring of younger employees for this reason. The belief is that a $15 wage earner should be experienced, and not a 17 year old with his first ever job.

Dude .. Medical assistant has bargaining power now.

Experienced to work at donut chain. Lol

Also, you need to really look into the voucher system ... It's fucked.

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/262049-study-ties-medicare-vouchers-to-higher-premium-costs

By Fenderputty Go To PostDude .. Medical assistant has bargaining power now.

Experienced to work at donut chain. Lol

Also, you need to really look into the voucher system … It's fucked.

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/262049-study-ties-medicare-vouchers-to-higher-premium-costs

How exactly does this give a med assistant any sort of leverage? It's not like you can go to your boss and say "well hey, I want an increase, because they're getting $15 to flip burgers now". Your bosses response will be, "well, good luck continuing your medical career through a job at McDonalds". A lot of assistants take on the job to go on to work at hospitals, become medics, RNs, LPNs, or PAs and some even MDs.

A raise for fast food workers does not give everyone leverage. It CAN, on the other hand, give retail employees leverage (Best Buy, Target, etc.) so that could be a huge boost. But that's a major question mark, because executives still know that a lot of people refuse to work in fast food simply due to stigma alone.

I agree that voucher system could have serious drawbacks if implemented incorrectly. In all honesty, the entire healthcare system in the US needs to be monitored heavily by the government.

I will say I agree it's stupid they dont lift it for everyone.


Edit: I appreciate the back and forth btw

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostGuys, we got hung up on the Costco example a bit too much. I see what you're all saying, but I really was just using them as a blanket statement. Not every business in the US is a national chains. Not everyone can afford to pay employees increased wages.

Although I'm glad no one combated my other thoughts much at all.

#AlphaSnacks2016

Which points? personally, I don't disagree with you that the minimum wage in cities like NYC and LA should be higher than in bumfuck, Iowa. But the current minimum wage is too low everywhere. $7.25 is a joke. That needs to go up nationally. After that, cities can raise it to a more appropriate wage according to their cost of living.

Also, most minimum wage workers don't work for small businesses outside of restaurants. Small businesses almost always have to pay above minimum wage. I'm not ast concerned about those places.

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostThey're not actually killing Medicare. They're phasing it out to switch to a new system or method of providing the retired/elderly the coverage and medicine they need. I think the reason they want to move it to a new method is because medicare funding is drying up quick isn't it?

Here's an article on how it'll work.

http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/medicare_vouchers_explained.php

Medicare is fine. Medicare and SS can never run out. These are bullshit things people on the right made up. As long as the US controls its currency, it can always pay for these things. And if we're so damn afraid about BS accounting, we can make medicare and SS "solvent" by simply raising the cap or uncapping payroll taxes. It's the easiest fix of any political debate that exists.

Vouchers are a terrible idea. Always have been always will be. Their entire purpose is to break the system and make it go away, anyway.

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostAlso, NY State passed a $15 wage for fast food workers (2018 for NYC, 2021 for state). Never mind that it sets a terrible precedent (medical assistant jobs get only paid $11-14), but Dunkin Donuts has already said they will be planning layoffs and will avoid hiring of younger employees for this reason. The belief is that a $15 wage earner should be experienced, and not a 17 year old with his first ever job.

Just because a business says it's doing X because of Y doesn't mean it's actually doing X because of Y. In fact, it's often not.

Duncan Donuts is probably laying off people because people are going there less not because of a meager hike in wages. Maybe they do hire some older folks but that's fine. That means there's excess supply of labor among people not very young which is bad. That needs to be filled first.

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostHow exactly does this give a med assistant any sort of leverage? It's not like you can go to your boss and say "well hey, I want an increase, because they're getting $15 to flip burgers now". Your bosses response will be, "well, good luck continuing your medical career through a job at McDonalds". A lot of assistants take on the job to go on to work at hospitals, become medics, RNs, LPNs, or PAs and some even MDs.

A raise for fast food workers does not give everyone leverage. It CAN, on the other hand, give retail employees leverage (Best Buy, Target, etc.) so that could be a huge boost. But that's a major question mark, because executives still know that a lot of people refuse to work in fast food simply due to stigma alone.

I agree that voucher system could have serious drawbacks if implemented incorrectly. In all honesty, the entire healthcare system in the US needs to be monitored heavily by the government.

lol if McDonald's offers well more than a medical assistant, good luck finding medical assistants. Of course they'd have leverage. If a lower skilled job and highly accessible job is offered for cheaper, then it forces those wages up to make up for it.

Agree to disagree there. Medical assistants will still be plenty available, because it's a stepping stone to further someone's career. Fast food isn't.

Also, the CEO of DD specifically said the layoffs pertain to only NY locations and that they were upset they had no say or opinion on the matter of increasing the wage. The announcement was made same day and directly in response to the wage increase.

McDonald's is going to start pushing for automated ordering systems in metro areas.

I still don't understand why we put importance to any of the words a CEO says considering that the vast majority of them are money-hungry and down-right criminal clowns. From the CEO's of Takata to Papa John's to any of the Wal-Mart heiress, I usually tend to offer zero value to their opinions on economy and wealth and how best to make this country prosperous considering that they've been pillaging from the lower classes for decades.

If Facebook, which we exclude from our data due to its outlier high compensation numbers, were included in the sample, average CEO pay was $24.8 million in 2013, and the CEO-to-worker compensation ratio was 510.7-to-1.

Why should I give any credence to their word when CEO pay has gone up by 900% in the last 50 years whereas worker pay has gone up by a measly 10%? Who's fucking fault is that?

I am simply clarifying Mamba's notion that the layoffs at DD are because less people go there now, by pointing out that the statement released by them was directly related to the wage increase of NY.

And I'm saying that I don't believe their CEO.

You don't believe the CEO of the company is going to lay off his own people and restructure how they hire at locations? In case I wasn't clear in my post, he wasn't making an economic prediction. He was speaking on behalf of his own company only and announcing they'll have to make some changes internally and across locations in NY.

I don't believe him that those are the reasons, no.

Unless you want to tell me that it's cheaper to pay workers in the following countries than in NY?

Dunkin’ Donuts returned to the UK market in January 2014, opening a restaurant in Harrow, a borough in north-west London, England.[91][92]
In May 2014, Dunkin' Donuts revealed plans to open 20–25 stores in Denmark,[93] 20–25 stores in Finland[94] and 30 stores in Sweden.[95]
On September 30, 2014, Dunkin' Donuts announced plans to open 25 stores in Austria over the next 5 years through a master franchise agreement with M&D Restaurant Development GmbH.[96]

Can't compare the economies and wages of our country to others.

Also, yes...it's A LOT cheaper to pay wages in the UK. Minimum wage is a meager 3.79BP for an 18 year old. And only 6.50BP for 21+. For their economy, that's pennies. UK as a whole has terrible minimum wage.

Plus, quote says some of those deals are franchised agreements - so it's on the franchise owners to make a desired profit, not DD's.

Denmark has a minimum wage of 110DKK (roughly $20). But up to 56% of that is taxed. So now you're looking at $9.50 - $10 per hour, realistically.

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostDenmark has a minimum wage of 110DKK (roughly $20). But up to 56% of that is taxed. So now you're looking at $9.50 - $10 per hour, realistically.

Taxes on income is delayed income since it goes back to you in the shape of services.

Taxes aren't a simple subtraction of your wages. The services and benefits that people in those countries get through their taxes often times (if not outright) pale in comparison to the US. What's the takehome pay of a minimum wage worker after they purchase health insurance in comparison to someone in Denmark that doesn't need to purchase healthcare? It's not a simple 1-to-1 comparison, but my entire point is that Dunkin Donuts has had no issues franchising out to other countries with much higher wages, taxes, and equivalent cost of living. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say West London is a bit more expensive to live in than say the rest of the UK.

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostYou don't believe the CEO of the company is going to lay off his own people and restructure how they hire at locations? In case I wasn't clear in my post, he wasn't making an economic prediction. He was speaking on behalf of his own company only and announcing they'll have to make some changes internally and across locations in NY.

Yeah, the issue is that he has that power.

You know what does not help "the economy"? That said CEO makes almost 5000 dollars an hour. This is dead money, adding zeros to a personal account that will never be spent. This is not about what's right for all, this is about conflicting interests.

Money that is saved instead of spent is good for the economy in non-recessionary times since it increases the amount of money that can be easily invested.

Wealthy individuals should be taxed more though. The marginal benefit of the extra revenue is higher than marginal cost of extra taxation.

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostMcDonald's is going to start pushing for automated ordering systems in metro areas.

They've already been doing this doe. For a while ...

http://www.cnet.com/news/mcdonalds-hires-7000-touch-screen-cashiers/


Business waiting for politically opportune time to do shitty things is nothing new.

With automation becoming more and more popular, as a nation we'll have to decide how we respond. We simply cannot continue to have the lifestyles we desire regardless of the economic class if the middle class is squashed out and loses it's buying power. Whether everyone receives a monthly stipend or not will be something we have to ultimately decide.

By IWMTB19 Go To PostMoney that is saved instead of spent is good for the economy in non-recessionary times since it increases the amount of money that can be easily invested.

Well, a discussion about what savings and investments are can quickly turn into macro 101 (since for Keynes S = I, it's semantics), and that's not very interesting. Notice that I did not use the word "investment".

So let's be more concrete.
The growth of inequality does not stimulate the economy, and growing inequality is built into capitalism (returns on capital are higher than growth, Piketty would say). The more money going to the top earners, the worse "the economy" does as a collective.

There is no justification, neither moral nor pragmatic, for CEOs' wages, and against higher wages for workers. Wages are not the only factor of inflation.

By reilo Go To PostTaxes aren't a simple subtraction of your wages. The services and benefits that people in those countries get through their taxes often times (if not outright) pale in comparison to the US. What's the takehome pay of a minimum wage worker after they purchase health insurance in comparison to someone in Denmark that doesn't need to purchase healthcare? It's not a simple 1-to-1 comparison, but my entire point is that Dunkin Donuts has had no issues franchising out to other countries with much higher wages, taxes, and equivalent cost of living. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say West London is a bit more expensive to live in than say the rest of the UK.

In NYC, if you're earning minimum wage you qualify for food stamps + medicaid. I just read another article about fast food employees interview who were worried that their $15 wage increase will actually force them to lose all of their subsidized benefits, such as the food stamps and medicaid.

By Fenderputty Go To PostThey've already been doing this doe. For a while …

http://www.cnet.com/news/mcdonalds-hires-7000-touch-screen-cashiers/


Business waiting for politically opportune time to do shitty things is nothing new.

I know. But they're going to expand it out of test markets to large metro markets, and they're going to do it even quicker. They're also not very prevalent in the US either, that article is for Euro markets where it debuted. It's fucked up, but it is what it is. Movie theaters have been doing this for ages now with kiosks that print tickets. The reality is that a lot of this kind of stuff will become more and more widespread, and not just as a result of wage hikes, but also with technologies like Apple Pay and Google Checkout. The job of the everyday cashier will be phased out, regardless of minimum wage imo.

AlphaSnacks, two counters to your two points just now.

- of course, you adapt subsidized benefits to the new situation.
- if we (workers) need to work fewer hours to get the same results as before thanks to technological improvements, what do we make of that improvement? The decision that capitalists make is that they lay people off and improve their profits. This is not the society I want to live in. A democratic economy would think of the people first, and there are other options besides rejecting tech. But there's nothing democratic about capitalism.

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostIn NYC, if you're earning minimum wage you qualify for food stamps + medicaid. I just read another article about fast food employees interview who were worried that their $15 wage increase will actually force them to lose all of their subsidized benefits, such as the food stamps and medicaid.

Sounds like a minimum wage raise would be doing it's job? You're pretty much making a point for it.

By akira28 Go To Postagree. I was bemused while reading the BCT snapping on Brother West on the other website. I don't care if he's beefing with M.E.D. As long as he's not sounding like Ben Carson, I'll hear what he has to say.

edit: Mrs.M.. do we need a Don Lemon tho?

We don't need a Don Lemon, or a Stacey Dash (or a Dame Dash, for that matter). The real question is, IMHO, do we need conservative black voices in the academic/pundit sphere? And despite the fact that I would probably disagree with said people, the answer is yes.

By Gabyskra Go To PostWell, a discussion about what savings and investments are can quickly turn into macro 101 (since for Keynes S = I, it's semantics), and that's not very interesting. Notice that I did not use the word "investment".

So let's be more concrete.
The growth of inequality does not stimulate the economy, and growing inequality is built into capitalism (returns on capital are higher than growth, Piketty would say). The more money going to the top earners, the worse "the economy" does as a collective.

There is no justification, neither moral nor pragmatic, for CEOs' wages, and against higher wages for workers. Wages are not the only factor of inflation.

I agree that the growth of inequality is not going to improve overall economic performance of a nation, but I don't think it hurts economic performance as a whole either except if it leads to xenophobia or declining work performance.

Moves to reduce inequality should happen because they're the morally right thing to do. I don't think it's like immigration where it's simultaneously morally right and massively advantageous economically. Maybe economic research will show inequality being a huge drag on an economic growth in the future, but I'm not convinced right now.

(I'm referring only to wealth inequality among income classes in the previous paragraphs. Obviously gender inequality can be a huge drag on any economy by preventing potential workers from joining the workforce and racial and gender and sexual inequality can lead to less talented workers being given jobs they don't deserve, thus hurting overall economic performance).

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostI know. But they're going to expand it out of test markets to large metro markets, and they're going to do it even quicker. They're also not very prevalent in the US either, that article is for Euro markets where it debuted. It's fucked up, but it is what it is. Movie theaters have been doing this for ages now with kiosks that print tickets. The reality is that a lot of this kind of stuff will become more and more widespread, and not just as a result of wage hikes, but also with technologies like Apple Pay and Google Checkout. The job of the everyday cashier will be phased out, regardless of minimum wage imo.

I'm sorry but the argument that we should suppress wages lest automation happen quicker is a really bad argument. It's coming anyway.

We as a society need to start thinking critically about it. Self driving cars are gonna replace truck drivers. Should we require them to drive longer hours and for less money to demotivate the companies from using this future tech?

I'm actually not making any arguments we should suppress wages. I've already said increasing wages in major metro areas is a huge plus and must be done. The question is how will companies retaliate and how will governments carry out promises to those who are on food stamps and medicaid? Will they be exempt? Should they be exempt? Should companies be forced to exercise restraint? I'm throwing out questions and pointing out what's happening - I am NOT agreeing with it, let me be clear.

I believe if you add minimum wage + food stamps + medicaid, the effective annual earnings are MORE than the 31K salary one would make working 40h weeks @ $15. The medicaid alone is the equivalent of a fantastic health plan worth $300-400 a month with no co-pays. I had it for a few years when I was in high-school and making $9 an hour working at EB Games eons ago, and then once again very briefly in college. LOL

By AlphaSnacks Go To PostI'm actually not making any arguments we should suppress wages. I've already said increasing wages in major metro areas is a huge plus and must be done. The question is how will companies retaliate and how will governments carry out promises to those who are on food stamps and medicaid? Will they be exempt? Should they be exempt? Should companies be forced to exercise restraint? I'm throwing out questions and pointing out what's happening - I am NOT agreeing with it, let me be clear.

I believe if you add minimum wage + food stamps + medicaid, the effective annual earnings are MORE than the 31K salary one would make working 40h weeks @ $15. The medicaid alone is the equivalent of a fantastic health plan worth $300-400 a month with no co-pays. I had it for a few years when I was in high-school and making $9 an hour working at EB Games eons ago, and then once again very briefly in college. LOL

At $7.25 that is under $25k if you include food stamps and $300 health plan for a family of 3.


Of course I don't agree with that approach. But min wage workers are a red herring. Very few adults earn a living at that level. It's mostly teens, college students, and part time homemakers.

The key is the upward lupressure ioputs n wages above the minimum wage.

Should start thinking about expanding services and subsidizing things that need more people/labor. But putting money into stuff like after school programs, nursing, day care, assisted living and other nonprofits is so low on the list of priorities despite you know these people and the environment really needing it.

The first reaction to a raised minimum wage shouldn't be "oh shit, they're almost getting paid as much as me now, fuck'em", it should be "i was getting underpaid in the first place."

Papa John's announced that Obamacare was going to cost them roughly 20 million in a year so they needed to lay off workers or make them part time. Then they came out the same damn year and ran a promotion with Peyton Manning to give away 2 million free pizzas. At $10.00 bucks a pop, that's 20 million.

That's what Reilo means when he says he doesn't trust CEO's blaming politics for shorting their employees. Costco can do the same thing, it chooses not to. It's PR 101 to blame to government (or use the opportunity) when planning to fuck over your workers.

And yes. Minimum wage being set at 15.00 for fast food workers ABSOLUTELY translates into other positions paying more. Maybe not instantly, but overtime, and those increases are on the heels of years of record productivity and corporate profits that haven't trickled down yet. They're not exactly in the midst of a Great Depression.

I'm not going to school for 18 months to be a medical assistant if a fast food worker makes more than me. That either pushes down the cost of education (good) or raises the wages (good)

And how much money did they pay Peyton for those dumb commercials?

By Fenderputty Go To PostReally, I think the profitization of healthcare is straight evil. It's also stupid on a practical level for a multitude of reasons. Antibacterial resistant strains of bacteria as an example. They're currently not a concern and thus no money to be made. So people aren't investing money into it. However, a centrally planned healthcare system would identify this future shortcoming and start to work on this now.

Unfortunately, the best solution for antibacterial resistant strains of bacteria is to stop using antibacterial drugs unless it's a life-threatening situation, and AFAIK centrally planned healthcare systems don't do this any better.

By Sharp Go To PostUnfortunately, the best solution for antibacterial resistant strains of bacteria is to stop using antibacterial drugs unless it's a life-threatening situation, and AFAIK centrally planned healthcare systems don't do this any better.

I think the FDA said agricultural antibiotics cause it too. Not just over diagnosing. Slowing it down is important but we gotta find new drugs, man.

The right's recent "if you're anti-racism, you should be anti-abortion and defund Planned Parenthood!" is probably the most racist and transparent online campaign I've seen in years.

The only way to make any sense of the claim that abortion is doing major racial harm to the country because of the higher frequency of abortion among black women is to make the implicit assumption that black women have no agency or no ability to make good decisions which is about as racist as possible. That black women are allowed to choose to make their own decisions is what is destroying the black community.

I can understand some anti-abortion people, but this is just ridiculous racism by the right.

By Sharp Go To PostUnfortunately, the best solution for antibacterial resistant strains of bacteria is to stop using antibacterial drugs unless it's a life-threatening situation, and AFAIK centrally planned healthcare systems don't do this any better.

What are you calling "centrally planned healthcare systems"?