MudPrincess

Brattleboro Reformer

Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act of 2009

oooh and one other very important correction. Obama had nothing to do with the introduction of this bill. It was introduced by Bobby Rush, an Illinois democrat.  (Oct 22, 2009 | post #3)

Brattleboro Reformer

Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act of 2009

WHOA, Vermonter....let's be clear. There are a couple of inaccuracies in your post. First, the bill does not require people to report their guns on their taxes. It also does not require a physical/mental evaluation. It would require only a thumb print, not a full set of finger prints This bill has no cosponsors and has very little chance of passing; however, I understand with the current administration we all need to be vigilent about protecting our gun rights. Let's just make sure that we are communicating accurate information so people can make informed choices. :) And for the record...I'm a NRA member.  (Oct 22, 2009 | post #2)

Brattleboro Reformer

ATV plan on access riles some

WOW, bitter? Unfortunately, I can identify with you on some level - those guys driving by with their modified pipes, blowing off steam or the group of teens driving way too fast in a RAZR. It's too bad because they give the rest of us a bad name. We atv nearly every weekend in the summer AND we pick up trash on the trails left by hikers and folks that are camping. We are able to see so much more of the outdoors because of ATVs - some of these places are inaccessible by foot. There are bad seeds in every group, so please let's cease with the sweeping generalizations. One other point, there are a couple of small towns, at least here in Alaska, that thrive only because of the business received by atv, sled, and motorcycle riders. From my perspective, responsibly regulating trails has the potential to bring more money into Vermont.  (Oct 22, 2009 | post #16)

Brattleboro Reformer

Breastfeeding mom sues three airlines

I breastfed both my children - many times in public. I guess I don't understand why this mother refused to cover up. While it seems the flight attendant could have been a bit more diplomatic, this is a completely frivolous lawsuit.  (Oct 12, 2009 | post #5)

Brattleboro Reformer

Harry and Marie

"Three months into her job search she finds a new lump in her breast. She now faces a choice that many Americans have to make. If she goes back to work she knows that in her state she will either be refused health insurance because of her cancer diagnosis, or if she is "allowed " to buy insurance, the premiums will be so high neither she nor her new employer will be able to afford them." I am aware of no state that allows insurance companies who offer group heath plans to employers to reject people based on pre-existing conditions. Yes, it is possible that treatment for a specific condition may not be covered until a waiting period is exhausted, but they are not rejected from the plan itself. This is a perfect example of why a person like Marie, who has been previously diagnosed and treated for breast cancer should do everything humanly possible to pick up COBRA coverage so that they do not experience a 63 day lapse in coverage. Another note - while some group health plans allow a difference in premiums for different levels of management, the cost of premiums cannot change based on a medical issue. In other words, if the other employees at Marie's new job pay $150/month, then that is the price Marie will pay too. And yes, with the addition of Marie, her employer's premiums may go up the following year, but that's not only Marie's fault. Those premiums are based on the experience ratings for the entire group. Also, as an owner operator of his own company, Harry may not be required to carry workers compenation; however, since he has an employee I would venture to say he would be required to have this coverage. This could have alleviated some of his problems.  (Sep 11, 2009 | post #3)

Brattleboro Reformer

Do you hate the yellow tooth add?

LOL Love the poll!  (Sep 10, 2009 | post #2)

Brattleboro Reformer

Presidential advice Local students listen to presidenta s address

Joe, as I stated in my initial response, "MOST" not all. I stand by my assertion and add that kids today that have not finished high school do not seem particularly motivated to succeed, which makes it even more difficult for them to take care of themselves. I don't blame the school system, I blame the parents, for not taking a more active role in their child's learning - it is ultimately a parent's responsibility.  (Sep 10, 2009 | post #18)

Brattleboro Reformer

Presidential advice Local students listen to presidenta s address

IMO children do have a responsibility to finish school. The statistics speak for themselves - most (NOT ALL) kids that fail to complete school find themselves living on public assistance, not providing for themselves, and not providing for their families independently. We as taxpayers support them and often their parents are unduly burdened because of concern over their grandchildren. Do you not agree that each person in our country should contribute reasonably to society to the extent that they should not rely on others for support? As far as brainwashing by liberal teachers, it is the parents' responsibility to teach their children to ask questions and to initiate conversations with them about society and politics in general. It is simply not fathomable for me as a parent to leave this responsibility to teachers; that said, I like that my children hear viewpoints other than my own. It allows them to make their own decisions and understand the reasons behind them. It also teaches them tolerance.  (Sep 9, 2009 | post #6)

Brattleboro Reformer

Health care costs top concern of businesses

The quotes that are received from the insurance company are shared with the employees, along with the reasoning of why a certain plan was chosen over another. Not all corporations are faceless and greedy, Mike.  (Sep 9, 2009 | post #10)

Brattleboro Reformer

Health care costs top concern of businesses

Wow, Mike...glad I wasted all that time responding to your post. *Put the crackpipe down, Mike!*  (Sep 9, 2009 | post #8)

Brattleboro Reformer

Presidential advice Local students listen to presidenta s address

Absolutely! The president's speech gave families a great opportunity to talk together about the overall message. It doesn't matter which "side" you're on - you've got to keep listening!  (Sep 9, 2009 | post #3)

Brattleboro Reformer

The real message of ObamaCare

While I agree with the message that more effort should be given to preventative care, I have to chuckle at the use of the word "free" in your response. These exams are not FREE, the money has to come from somewhere! I also stand by my assertion that employers should not be mandated to supply health insurance to their employees. This sense of entitlement that seems to be so prevalent nowadays is a huge liability for our society.  (Sep 9, 2009 | post #14)

Brattleboro Reformer

Health care costs top concern of businesses

Sorry, Mike, but I have to disagree with you. Many companies do provide medical insurance to lure the best and brightest, while retaining their top talent; however, to say that we as workers are *entitled* to employer sponsored medical care is IMO a bit misguided. I am lucky enough to work for a company that pays 100% of the GHP premiums for my dependents and me. In the past three years premiums have risen well over 20% each year. How much of that should the company be willing to absorb? Look at it another way - are you as a consumer willing to pay higher prices for goods and services to finance the healthcare premiums of a company's employees? In addition, I believe that employees do not have enough interest in keeping healthcare costs down, which ultimately hurts them in the long run. Rather than trying to save the insurance company money, they milk them for every dime and/or do not make reasonable choices that would be cost effective. This in turn, drives up the prices of premiums for their employers. It is an incredibly complicated problem, but one that will not be fixed by mandating employers to provide insurance for their employees. Another issue is that there is talk of taxing empoloyer paid premiums, so employees would pay even more taxes. The money has to come from somewhere, Mike; ultimately each of us pays whether it is taxes or as consumers.  (Sep 9, 2009 | post #6)

Brattleboro Reformer

Juveniles charged as adults in Vernon vandalism

Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ....and Anemone, as a professional, I suspect that you welcome constructive criticism - ever heard of spell check?  (Sep 3, 2009 | post #64)

Brattleboro Reformer

EMT: Employer took insurance payments

How does a company mishandling an employee's benefit money have anything to do with the necessity of a universal health care system? As far as your assertion that the government exists to take care of us collectively on costs we can't handle as individuals, I disagree. What you are really saying here is that it's the taxpayers responsibility for helping those that cannot meet their obligations. What is ironic about your comment is that you say it's the socialists who are arguing against this. Sorry, but isn't universal healthcare an example of socialism? I'm confused. I am truly sorry for this family's situation; however, there are laws (ERISA, etc) that protect their rights and I'm sure that things will work out. Though, admittedly, that may take some time.  (Aug 12, 2009 | post #19)