Community > Posts By > KerryO

 
KerryO's photo
Sun 03/04/12 04:56 PM



The types of monopolies are: Natural, Geographic, Technological and Government. Geographic and Technological monopolies are self limiting. If the local cable company charges too much, competitors enter the market. When Apple charged too much for the iPod, multiple companies created alternatives. Both cases where a monopoly has or could end naturally. Government monopolies come in two flavors: Coercive and non-coercive. A non-coercive monopoly would be like patent protection on a new drug. Nobody is preventing the competition from creating a new drug that works equally well or better. The only truly offensive type of monopoly is the coercive government created monopoly. Bell System is an example of a coercive Government monopoly.

Antitrust laws often protect inefficient business models that have trouble competing with more efficient and better run businesses. Who knows what new advances we could have made by allowing well run businesses to grow as large as the market would allow?



Trees never grow into heaven, but those which get closest are mostly the ones planted in the fertile ground of monopolies run by people who have little or no conscience.

As far as the Bell System, we wouldn't even be having this conversation on this medium if the government had not broken up the Bell System. AT&T's monopoly would continue to suck cash out of the consumers' pockets and people would not be able to afford the connect time.

Besides, businesses are just as inefficient because they are run and created by the same fallible humans that run governments.

Now, if you REALLY wanted to make things interesting, get rid of the patent trolls and vulture capitalists who are nothing but parasites hopeing to profit from the work of others that they can't even begin to duplicate on their own.

No, monopolies are what many business people dream of, and often set out deliberately to create and perpetuate. Just likes thrones in any given area, there can be only one if peace is to be maintained.

-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Sun 03/04/12 07:17 AM



The free market keeps all other forms of insurance cheaper, why wouldn't it keep health insurance cheaper? The only proven method to actually decrease the price of a product or service is competition. So what makes you think that competition for health insurance would raise prices?


And if we had a free market, that *might* actually be true. But with Republican dismantling of the anti-trust laws, we have wave after wave of mergers which DECREASES competition.

Besides, if you study economics, some facets of the economy can ONLY function efficiently as a natural monopoly. It wouldn't be very efficient to have 100 electric power companies planting their own poles. And when you had companies like Enron supposedly providing 'virtual competition' all that happened was massive corruption and sky-high rates.


-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Sat 03/03/12 07:02 PM

He said Obama called Fluke to express disappointment about the attacks and "thank her" for exercising her right to speak out.

Where was the outrage and phone call to Laura Ingraham when Ed Schultz called her a slut?
Oh wait Laura is a conservative talk show host so it's ok to demean her.


On the May 5th, 2011 edition of the Laura Ingraham Show, Ingraham compared looking at Janet Napolitano to looking at gruesome pictures of Osama bin Laden's corpse. Ingraham also made the statement that then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi '...did everything but sell her body to get the healthcare bill passed.' She's also took some pretty vicious swipes at Pelosi's looks and Obama's family. Knowing this, why would Obama phone someone who is so openly hostile and uncivil?

I don't listen to Ed Schultz, but I think it was very inappropriate for him to call Ingraham such names. He did apologize for his remarks and if I remember correctly, he was suspended for a time.

As far as I know, Ingraham has never apologized for any of her inappropriate comments. Nor, I suspect, will Limbaugh apologize for his. And he certainly won't get suspended.

Pot/kettle?


-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Fri 03/02/12 07:00 PM

LPDon,

If I found out that were were a Democrat trying to make Republicans look bad, I wouldn't be surprised.


You *do* know that Premier Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, does, according to Wikipedia:



.... auditions and hires actors to call in to talk radio shows and pose as listeners in order to provide shows, carried by Clear Channel and other broadcasters, with planned content in the form of stories and opinions. The custom caller service provided by Premiere Radio assures its clients they won't hear the same actor's voice for at least two months in order to appear authentic to listeners who might otherwise catch on.



-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Fri 03/02/12 05:43 PM




You believe women who use birth control for any reason are sluts? Did you even pay attention to Sandra Fluke's story, or are you assuming Rush is giving you all the info you need?


Doesn't matter. Someone or company shouldn't be forced to provide birth control for a woman if it's against their values, religion or beliefs.


You made the comment about how she should keep her legs closed. Do you realize she was talking about using birth control for a medical reason? What does that have to do with keeping her legs closed?

You also didn't answer the question. Do you believe women who use birth control for any reason are sluts?

What medical reasons do women use birth control for?



Oral contraceptives have been shown to be very effective at shrinking ovarian cysts. They are also used in the treatment of ovarian cancers.

Besides, the testimony Fluke wanted to give to Congress was about a friend of hers who was a lesbian who had these cysts and had a prescription from a duly certified physician for this course of treatment.

A couple of sponsors have already said they are dropping advertising over this. This may just be Limbaugh's Waterloo-- like Rush and his little drug problem, Napoleon was on the comeback trail when the Battle of Waterloo ended his military career.

It's especially ironic that Limbaugh himself was caught with Viagra for which he didn't have a prescription while going on a vacation.

-Kerry O.


KerryO's photo
Wed 02/29/12 07:17 PM

Looks like Santorum's winning Michigan!


Only because a bunch of crossover Democratic votes designed to pick the weakest candidate to face Obama in the fall went to Santorum.

Personally, I think it's delightful that all the Super PAC money set free by the Citizen's United Supreme Court decision is being used by the Republicans to bludgeon EACH OTHER. It's even more of a treat to see Gingrich's candidacy being maimed by the very Frankenstein for which he, more than any other Republican, was the Chief Designer.

Poetic Justice is a dish best served cold...

-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Sat 02/25/12 02:25 AM



The actor's work has become a popular source of kitschy fun among Slovaks and a mainstay for local jokes about macho strength and invincibility.


Chuck Norris and Superman once fought each other to settle a bet-- the loser agreed to wear his underwear outside his pants.

Chuck Norris once took a whizz into the gas tank of a rusty old pickup truck. It's now known as Optimus Prime.

KerryO's photo
Tue 02/21/12 05:52 PM



I believe there are about 3.5 billion choices.


...and if the OP's theory is correct, that means that 3,499,999,999 are the *wrong* choice. So what are the chances of picking that singular one out of the lineup. And of them picking you?

Enough to make one extremely crazy, and one should never sleep with somone crazier than themselves.

Extra credit question: what if you're bisexual?


Extra credit answer: Then you're screwed....By.....EVERYONE!!!!


::::Alex Trebeck voiceover:::

OOOh, I'm sorry, the correct answer was "There could be a menage a trois in your future."

KerryO's photo
Tue 02/21/12 05:43 PM


Extra credit question: what if you're bisexual?

If you are bisexual, life is one big banquet.
However, if you are only gay, you are back with
only half the world's population on the menu.


Alas, my Love Doctor has on me on a VERY restricted diet.

KerryO's photo
Tue 02/21/12 05:38 PM
Edited by KerryO on Tue 02/21/12 05:40 PM

I don't think so. Who's in charge of the selection process? I have yet to see anything that would convince me there's any sort of system at work in any of this.


3.5 billion ping pong balls with numbers and Mingle Profiles written on them in one huge glorious glass container with the worlds biggest vacuum cleaner hooked to it?

"...AND TODAY'S WINNER IS :::::drumroll::::"

( made 'ya look, dinnit?)

KerryO's photo
Tue 02/21/12 05:31 PM

I believe there are about 3.5 billion choices.


...and if the OP's theory is correct, that means that 3,499,999,999 are the *wrong* choice. So what are the chances of picking that singular one out of the lineup. And of them picking you?

Enough to make one extremely crazy, and one should never sleep with somone crazier than themselves.

Extra credit question: what if you're bisexual?

KerryO's photo
Sat 02/18/12 08:15 PM



And that is why you don't manage a radio station. Boredom doesn't attract listeners, shock jocks do.


The fact the Glenn Beck seems to do better on the airwaves these days than during his 'morning zoo days, by being, as he himself puts it, 'half-chick' ( you know, LP, those folks who you think are natural-born liars and thieves ) by crying on the air seems to shoot down your premise.


-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Sat 02/18/12 08:06 PM




So much for freedom of speech.


Being guaranteed a microphone at a 50,000 watt radio station to prove you're an insensitive clod isn't a First Amendment right.

-Kerry O.


Except when it's accurate and it spikes ratings.


Some time ago on this very board, you made a claim that women are generally natural-born liars and thieves, a claim you said your occupational experience has endlessly proven accurate.

I hardly think your claiming it's your First Amendment right to broadcast your observation on the 50,000 watt radio station of your choice will be upheld by any court in this country.

Even Glenn Beck Himself ended up in hot water for broadcasting a live phone conversation in which he mocked the wife of a competitor on the phone who had just suffered a miscarriage.



Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar. -Edward R. Murrow




-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Sat 02/18/12 07:11 PM


So much for freedom of speech.


Being guaranteed a microphone at a 50,000 watt radio station to prove you're an insensitive clod isn't a First Amendment right.

-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Wed 02/15/12 04:44 PM


This is not the "libertarian alternative". This is an example of the failure of welfare and central planning. Before the utopian Great Society folks came along, it was normal for people to save for their own retirement. Now, not only does SS money buy less (price inflation and currency inflation) the burden is shifted ever more to future generations.

The libertarian alternative is to let people keep their money (and use whatever they want as money-gold, silver, dollars, euros, etc) and help each other voluntarily. (it used to be commonplace, and let Americans enjoy the highest standard of living in the world, regardless of age)


Sure, and lions will lie down with the lambs in Libertarian Heaven.

Hasn't happened yet, and the smart money knows it.

It goes more like this cynical saying voiced in one of the 'After The Financial Armegeddon' books of late:



If you're in a meeting with a bunch of corporate people and you look around the room and aren't sure you can spot the marks? You're definitely one of 'em.



Libertarian financial theory is largely idealistic. It unwittingly falls prey to being the PR folks for the Wolves trying to convince the Sheep to steal Farmer Brown's big 'ol gun and destroy it.

-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Wed 02/15/12 03:35 PM

Hornberger makes a valid argurment, with one exception. Social Security is an investment paid for by the people who receive its benefits. It's not a government handlout.


And let's look at one capitalist example of the Libertarian alternative:



Loss of Safety Net a Blow to Bethlehem Steel Retirees
Bankruptcy deal would end benefits long viewed as a reward for loyal service.

By David B. Caruso, Los Angeles Times

February 10 2003

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Some of them went to work in the blast furnaces when they were just 18, then spent half a lifetime handling molten slag and inhaling steel dust in some of the most dangerous jobs on earth.

But for the tens of thousands of Bethlehem Steel Corp. workers who stuck it out, retirement promised a rich reward: a hefty pension and a lifetime of almost free health care for themselves and their families.

"It was capitalism's version of socialized medicine," said James Van Vliet, a retired Bethlehem Steel vice president. "And it was an implied contract. It was the company and the workers saying, 'We are going to take care of each other.' "

It may go down in history as a promise unfulfilled.

Only a shadow of its former self, Bethlehem Steel announced Friday that it was seeking Bankruptcy Court approval to terminate health and life insurance benefits for 95,000 retired workers and their dependents March 31.

The move, seen as essential to the company's bid to sell its assets to International Steel Group Inc., which was approved by Bethlehem's board Saturday, followed news in December that Bethlehem Steel's pension plan was underfunded by $3.2 billion and would be turned over to a government agency.

The sale is subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court.

Both pieces of bad news were expected. The American steel industry has been in decline for decades, and most of its former giants have been trimming pensions and benefits for retirees for years. Moreover, corporate America largely has shifted the responsibility of old-age provisioning to workers, with self-funded plans such as 401(k) accounts.

But the one-two punch still is a staggering blow for a generation that had been promised a lifetime of comforts in return for a career spent at one company.

Now, some could see their monthly $6 payments for health insurance jump to $200 to $300.

"That's a lot to swallow," said Len Christman, 67, who worked 39 years at Bethlehem Steel's sprawling plant in Bethlehem, about 40 miles north of Philadelphia. "It's a very tough position to be in at this stage in life."

Nearly all retirees will continue to enjoy some benefits. Pension payments, which are being taken over by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., are expected to continue at about 90% of their former level. For workers older than 65, the federal Medicare program would pick up some health-care costs.

But Medicare, which covers hospital visits but doesn't pay for medications, won't come close to covering all the health problems suffered by many retired steelworkers.

Joe Pancoe, who worked for Bethlehem Steel for 31 years, said that at 81, he has asthma and a hacking cough and uses a slew of pills and inhalers to soothe his battered lungs.

"We, the old-timers, were part of the industrial revolution. And now we are part of the medical revolution. We have the emphysemas, we have the cancers. We have everything," he said.

He isn't positive his illnesses were related to his work as a spray painter in the plant's fabrication division, where he said his spit turned red from inhaling fumes, or in the research lab where he regularly handled bags of asbestos.

But as he sees it, the country owes him something either way. His labor built propellers for battleships and girders for skyscrapers and bridges.

"We helped the country, and the people who helped to build the country should get the benefit of it," Pancoe said.

Almost all workers agree that Bethlehem Steel is in little position to help. When it filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2001, the company had about 12,000 employees, down from more than 300,000 during World War II. Most factories have been closed.

Bruce Davis, a retired Bethlehem Steel lawyer who serves as legal counsel for the Retired Employees Benefit Coalition, said several labor groups were negotiating to extend the retirees' health-care benefits, at least temporarily.

The coalition has asked the company to continue the benefits until May 31 rather than March 31. It also anticipates that it will be able to offer Bethlehem Steel retirees a replacement health insurance package similar to ones offered to retirees at other failed steel companies.

The heaviest burden, Davis said, will be borne by retired workers who are under 65 and do not qualify for Medicare coverage.

"We need to find a way to get them to age 65 without bankrupting their financial portfolio," Davis said. "If we can do that, the pain of seeing this proud company walk away from them, after so many years, will be considerably lessened."


KerryO's photo
Wed 02/15/12 03:15 PM
Just think how much lower gas prices would be if Newt Gingrich was in the White House and nuked Iran.

The only thing holding them in check right now from going sharply higher on the tensions in the Middle East is U.S. supply and demand being more in balance.

But then, one should never use facts to argue with Obama Haters who are getting that sinking feeling that the Republicans are going to self-destruct this fall.

-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Sun 02/12/12 06:50 PM




Both sides seem a bit demented to me, actually. Those that oppose it with great extremes and those that believe it to great extremes.


So, you believe the Georgia judge who sanctioned and fined Orly Taitz $20,000 for abuse of process and what amounted to malpractice was 'demented' too?

And isn't it just a little ironic that there is no contest made about the fact that Orly Taitz was definitely NOT born in this country.

I think if you do a Google search, you'll find there are tons of these 'ObambaConspiracy' websites out there. I have yet to see one that goes to the extremes you think are so 'demented' in opposition. Perhaps you can supply the name of one?

Perhaps you'd also like to do a search here on Mingle and give us the number of new topics started by Birther sympathizers vs the anti-Birthers?
No? There's a new thread just about every week started by certain individuals here trumpeting Obama's downfall to Birther claims.


-Kerry O.


I meant the hatefulness back and forth between those that are so called birthers and their opponents and that I find both sides hateful. It's my opinion and the fact that you are so hateful in your approach and posts proves it as well. Bye. Just saying there are two sides and the evidence opposing it seems justifiable.......other than that its just hate speak on racism.....where is the racism?? esp since Obama is white ya know as well as African-American and BTW African come in many colors!! Just as there are many colors in the US.....so calling or deeming African Americans as black is just hilarious to me.....


I never mentioned anything about racism, so please stop lying about the content of my posts.

I also asked that you support your allegations with numbers and facts, but apparently you can't be bothered and instead took the low road with a personal attack. How typical of someone who can't support their opinions reasonably when pinned down on the facts. I'm sure no one is feeling the love in your responses, so if you want to point fingers, please look at the ones that are pointing back at you. Your scorched earth tactics aren't going to work.

History has taught us the if you give people like Corsi, WND and the Birthers even one inch, they'll try to make a political mile out of it. John Kerry made an election-losing mistake in '04 when he didn't engage Corsi et al immediately and vigorously when they 'Swift Boated' him.

-Kerry O.


KerryO's photo
Sun 02/12/12 12:24 PM


Both sides seem a bit demented to me, actually. Those that oppose it with great extremes and those that believe it to great extremes.


So, you believe the Georgia judge who sanctioned and fined Orly Taitz $20,000 for abuse of process and what amounted to malpractice was 'demented' too?

And isn't it just a little ironic that there is no contest made about the fact that Orly Taitz was definitely NOT born in this country.

I think if you do a Google search, you'll find there are tons of these 'ObambaConspiracy' websites out there. I have yet to see one that goes to the extremes you think are so 'demented' in opposition. Perhaps you can supply the name of one?

Perhaps you'd also like to do a search here on Mingle and give us the number of new topics started by Birther sympathizers vs the anti-Birthers?
No? There's a new thread just about every week started by certain individuals here trumpeting Obama's downfall to Birther claims.


-Kerry O.

KerryO's photo
Sun 02/12/12 02:46 AM






Corsi is a whacko and Joe Arpaio is a jack booted thug.

That's the bottom line.

I live in AZ and know them both.




I live in AZ too and disagree with that outrageous Arpaio remark. Cracks me up that people get pissed when cops do their job too welllaugh
j

No, they only get pissed when people like Shurf Joe start acting like the Secret Police from a Banana Republic by using their office and the taxpayer's money to make power grabs and get revenge on people who oppose their heavy-handed dealings.

Dozens of courts across this country have said these allegations of Obama's ineligibility have zero merit. What makes this particular tin-plated dictator from a shithole county think he has ANY jurisdiction in this matter?

But hey, I guess he's buying into the Tea Party fantasy that he'll be the one to march into the White House like he's Chuck Friggin Norris and slap the cuffs on Obama? I'd bet the US Secret Service would have a thing or two to say about that.

No, this isn't a cop doing his job, this is a nutbar who is going around the bend getting off on his own arrogance. Pride cometh before the fall.

-Kerry O.


Explain the contradictory evidence on the birth certificate and the timeline of said institutions not even being in existence at the time then.
j

Explain the fact that the Birthers have not won even ONE case in even ONE court in the United States and the 'contradictions' becomes obvious-- the Birthers 'case' is a pack of Internet BS repeated ad nauseum by people who have NO accountability. They are throwing out as much manufactured BS as they can, since in places like this one, there is no burden of proof.

When there is, such as in courts of law, this manufactured garbage gets treated with all the respect it is due-- NONE.


-Kerry O.


If you look at each of the cases.....each case did not enter or present the evidence properly or establish the expertise of those giving and gauging the evidence not one stated that the evidence proves or disproves him a citizen only that those doing the presentating with the burden of proof on them didn't present it properly nor provide the expertise of those bringing the case......when the case is presented properly by the correct experts as in such case as an official investigation by the sheriff on behalf of its citizens of Arizona the outcome may change........I just do find it interest that a hospital that wasn't in existence until 1978 could have been the place of birth for Obama in 1961. Or the fact that Obama's father was born in Kenya on his birth certificate which wasn't an established name of the country until 1963 but states on a birth certificate from 1961......can you or anyone explain this without changing the histories of a country and a hospital??

Just so you know I haven't taken either side just find this information quite intersting enough to research it and find it to be true in Encyclopedia Britannica, the stated history of the hospital itself in contradiction with the released document on the White House government issued document itself......



I can explain this very simply-- there are certain people in this country who will never accept the will of the people regarding this president and they will never give up as long as some court somewhere will let them continue this witch hunt. They are filled with envy and hate and see this as a way to get attention for their 'holy cause' . Like other fanatics, they can weave a tapestry of lies and conspiracy theory, but when it comes to actually proving it, they are as incompetent as they are fanatical-- the two often go hand in glove.

Boo hoo, that they didn't prove their case yet because they missed a few things or claim they didn't have the expertise. They had their day in court and they lost because when their case was taken on the merits, all they had was half-baked drivel and innuendo. Courts have routinely taken a dim view of the proverbial fishing expedition, and that's why they lost.

Even many zealous rightwingers say their case has no merit and like a demented uncle who goes around flashing people, wish the Birthers would just stop acting like a bag lady with a megaphone.


-Kerry O.

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