Is Everybody Really Worse Off? Certainly not...

[Andy A]

No, I'm not worse off now that I was in 2008. It has nothing to do with what has happened in our government in the last two years, however. It has to do with the advice, values and fiscal acumen my wise, but uneducated father instilled in me growing up and the years thereafter. Unfortunately, evidently some of today's kids as well as the parents who raise them, were not fortunate enough to receive this sage kind of advice. I, and evidently, many of my generation, was. For that, I will be eternally grateful. I will lose some income due to higher taxes, no COLA and inflation but I can, so far, live with that.

 

[Lynnie]

I lost a lot of money in 1999-2000, 2002, 2008-2009. Recessions are cyclical, not partisan. Stock market crashes when overvaluing occurs. Markets always correct.

I cringe at the spending under this Administration and since I have an entitled mentality to shop and travel, I am working my butt off to prepare for higher taxes under this Administration and lessen any further losses under this President and his successor in 2013.

My cottage has lost value and I bought before the hoopla. My home's value in Buckhead has done well.

I have a much different investment philosophy than I did a few years ago. This has nothing to do with any President, however.

 

[Matt J]

About the only complaint I have revolves around the cost of the health plan my employer provides. Their costs went up due to mandated coverage changes, which will negatively effect their bottom line and my future income.

My house has lost value, and is probably under what I paid for it, but I really don't blame anyone but myself for that.

Funny, should I go back and find the post and thread where you said you employed 60+ people with your own business?

 

[30ashopper]

Funny, should I go back and find the post and thread where you said you employed 60+ people with your own business?

I think you have me mixed up with futurebeachbum.

 

[Lynnie]

Some of the healthcare mandates went into effect this year, which is why your employer saw the increase, 30ashopper. Unless you are a large corpration self-insuring a portion of the employee coverage, you've already been hit. Small and medium sized companies are feeling this impact and next year will be worse. Do they absorb the expense? What about companies with small profit margins? Pass the costs onto the employee? particularly in this economy? Or, lay off more people? No good answer to this one.

We had great, enormous legislation that has favored large corporations over the smaller employers.

 

[Jdarg]

I am going to ask again. We are blaming projected health insurance cost increases on healthcare reform this year, but what about every year prior?

If healthcare reform had not passed, 2011 would be like any other year- the insurance costs are just expected to increase. Where was the gripe in all the previous years, when those increases gave us nothing more for our money, and in fact, gave many of us less in terms of coverage?

 

[Lynnie]

As someone who has been involved in the industry 20 years, I can state that there have always been gripes and complaints.

 

[30ashopper]

I am going to ask again. We are blaming projected health insurance cost increases on healthcare reform this year, but what about every year prior?

If healthcare reform had not passed, 2011 would be like any other year- the insurance costs are just expected to increase. Where was the gripe in all the previous years, when those increases gave us nothing more for our money, and in fact, gave many of us less in terms of coverage?

The hit our company took when the new requirements kicked in was pretty substantial. Large companies with hundreds of employees al experienced this. That money is now going to an insurance company's bottom line for services no one is using. It could have gone to hiring for new positions, salary boosts for those that deserved it, capital investment, etc.. Every company across the nation will take the same hit mine did when they implement the new restrictions in coverage. Think about it.

 

[scooterbug44]

I am going to ask again. We are blaming projected health insurance cost increases on healthcare reform this year, but what about every year prior?

If healthcare reform had not passed, 2011 would be like any other year- the insurance costs are just expected to increase. Where was the gripe in all the previous years, when those increases gave us nothing more for our money, and in fact, gave many of us less in terms of coverage?

That kind of logic has no place in the health care debate. The only reason we are happy our friends can now get health insurance and care is because we are the liberal elite and believe in socialism.

And the fact that under Obamacare states can now restrict increases in our health insurance premiums because they are too high is also irrelevant .................... ;-)

 

[Jdarg]

The hit our company took when the new requirements kicked in was pretty substantial. Large companies with hundreds of employees al experienced this. That money is now going to an insurance company's bottom line for services no one is using. It could have gone to hiring for new positions, salary boosts for those that deserved it, capital investment, etc.. Every company across the nation will take the same hit mine did when they implement the new restrictions in coverage. Think about it.

But what happened when your company's premiums increased last year? And the year before? And so on and so forth?

I am not trying to be a smartass, but I really want to know why this year's increase is a company killer and previous years humongous increases have not had the same effect.