Biker bouncy

[Freeper]

flamin lib  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Mon Aug-17-09 02:39 PM
Original message
Conversation with two bikers re health care   Updated at 3:03 PM
   
I work the graveyard shift in a bait-shop on a local lake and I ride my motorcycle to work every night. My bike’s an obscure brand, so I spend a lot of time answering the question, “What the hell is that?” About 5:00 AM a couple of guys come in and after having coffee wander over to the sales counter and asked, “Is that your bike in the parking lot?”

When two bikers are in close proximity they will discuss Iron and this occasion was no exception. About half way through the conversation one of them allows as how he rode a Honda Goldwing for a number of years and what a fine bike it was for extended cruising. I said that Honda was closing the U.S. manufacturing facility for the Goldwing and that from now on all Goldwings would be imported instead of being made here.

It’s funny how conversations take a turn.

Biker Brother (‘cause everybody on two wheels is family) says, “Wonder why they closed the factory?”

Me, “Well, the Goldwing is a very expensive bike and I suspect that the economic situation made it impossible to make money on bikes made here.”

BB, “Don’t see how it makes a difference. They made a profit for all those years they operated the U.S. factory . . .”

Me, “It’s probably because they don’t have to pay for health care in Japan but do here. Japan has single payer.”

BB, “That’s okay, Obama is gonna’ make it all free.”

Me, “Nobody ever said free. Just affordable. Honda spends about $8000 a year for an individual and more for a family of four.”

BB, “Yeah, and they work cheap over there . . .”

Me, “Not so much. Wages paid to Japanese automakers here are comparable to GM workers. Same with over there. If you don’t have to pick up insurance you can afford to pay a little more.”

BB, “Naw, it looks like socialism to me . . . The government can’t do anything right . . .”

Me, “Medicare is socialism, or as close to it as the U.S. will ever get. 92% of Medicare patients rate the care as good or excellent, only 8% say it’s fair or poor. Social Security is the most popular program in the U.S. Are you suggesting we should close them down?” Understand that BB was at least as old as I am and may be taking advantage of both.

Somehow when they’re having a conversation in the wee small hours with a clerk at a convenience store that smells like stale fish and the clerk starts quoting statistics, and actual costs it sorta’ hangs ‘em up.

Next thing ‘ya know we’re talking about bikes again. It’s funny how conversations take a turn.

You don’t have to be a jerk to get the message across but you do have to sound like you know what you’re talking about and be able to support your end of the conversation.

Knowledge is power. Arm yourself.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6328452

Me, “Nobody ever said free. Just affordable.

Most of the dump thinks obama care will be free.

[The Village Idiot]

Its freee in Japan. Nobody pays a thing. All those doctors must work for free or something Nurses too. Somebody should raise some money for those poor struggling medical industry people in stingy Japan where they don't get paid.

[Chris_]

BB: Who owns the beat-up bicycle with the playing card in the spokes?

DUmmie: RACIST RETHUG BASTARD!!!!

[GOBUCKS]

Diet advice from a quarter-tonner, health care advice from a back shift bait shop clerk.
Yep, that's the DUmp.

[Chris]

Honda ends U.S. motorcycle production as demand declines

Its plant in Ohio had an annual output capacity of about 70,000 units. This facility produced the Gold Wing, a large, 1,800cc-class touring bike. But the U. S. motorcycle market shrank to 1.32 million units in 2008, down almost 30% from a recent peak of 1.79 million units in 2005.

Don't listen the people in charge of running the business; you should listen to DUmmies for all your news and advice.  It's all about free health insurance and not product supply and demand.  No, really.

When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

[LC EFA]

...
 Social Security is the most popular program in the U.S. Are you suggesting we should close them down?”
...

That depends on whom you ask.

Of course when you ask the beneficiaries of the Free Ponyâ„¢ it's popular. Free stuff is always going to be popular with people who are on the receiving end.

Try asking the other section of the population who actually have to pay for it what they think of the idea.