A Few Thoughts

There were so many things going on over the last week or so.  The 'fiscal cliff' made all the news, and even I talked of it on a number of blogs.  And it is worth noting that nothing was solved in the plan voted on by the Senate, The House of Representatives, and signed by the President.  Already there is talk of raising the debt limit.  Isn't that what we were led to believe they were trying to avoid?  So just wait, over the next couple of months, the Congress will say we need spending cuts, the President will say we need more stimulus, and the Senate will do nothing.

It is time for the thoughts... Recently, I received a letter in the mail from my health insurance company, it is a big one, but for now let it be nameless.  Now keep in mind, I have had this policy for just about a year.  In that time I have not used one cent of the insurance.  It costs $268 a month.  For those that didn't just do the math that's over $3200 per year.  That $3200 went to the company to pay others bills, as again, I had none.  Or perhaps it just went to the bottom line, who really knows.  But back to the letter, it informed me that if I wished to continue with this policy (a high deductible HSA account) it would cost me $281 per month for the coming year.  I am in good health overall, and I wonder why it is going up.  In fact, don't other companies offer discounts if you go claim free?  Should I not actually have to pay less?  There is a reason it is going up, Obama Health Care.  There are numerous taxes imposed on things like medical devices.  While I am healthy, the insurance companies costs are going up to cover these taxes.  And guess what, most of your costs are going up too, kind of wipes out any raise you received huh.  That and other tax increases will easily swallow any gains we may have made for the new year. 

The second thought revolves around the acquisition of Current TV by Al Jazeera.  Now you may or not know who is a minority owner of Current TV, former VP Al Gore.  Most of the coverage I have seen is touting how Mr. Gore, an extreme environmentalist, is selling to a media company built with oil dollars.  I even saw a report that Glenn Beck tried to purchase the network.  However, to me the biggest thing about this is the timing.  It seems Current wanted to complete the transaction by the end of last year... Is this a definition that new tax policies are not fair?  Mr. Gore wants to pay lower capital gains tax on his investment, and that is not a bad thing.  But Mr. Gore's party is the one saying the 'rich' like Mr. Gore are not paying their fair share.  Is this not hypocritical?  So I would urge Mr. Gore to man up, pay your fair share!  I know you don't have to, but think of the example you can set for us in the middle.  Or will it be more "do as I say, not as I do", we will see.

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So with the political economic fights brewing, the trickle down income grab from Washington, or lack of leadership on what is fair, 2013 is started off with a bang!  Happy New year! 

Spend Wisely!

Update:  We beat the NY Times!  They had a story about Health Insurance rates.  See their story here: NY Times and Helth Insurance.