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There are studies that actually show this too, but I noticed it from my own observations.
Can I see your sources. For decades, Conservatives have came out on top of personal happiness surveys - worldwide and across the socioeconomic spectrum comparing income to income.
Chin up, Republicans. Despite the imploding stock market, the looming recession, the unpopular president and the dismal political polls, there's very good news in the one realm of life that's always been a special sanctuary for you.
Scholars on both the left and right have studied this question extensively, and have reached a consensus that it is conservatives who possess the happiness edge.
Early Voting just kicked off today in the Sunshine State and we are off to a great start, Some of the northern counties that lean Romney/Ryan had trouble with the machine and voters in Hudson, Fla were told to put the votes in a box and they would tabulated at another time. And then 2 hours later the machine worked, an elderly woman was there and told her experience of what happened at her poll.
Its kind of scary to hear that votes are in a box somewhere....
I know what you mean. My Dad moved to Florida in late Sept 2000 and registered in Delray Beach (Palm Beach County) He and several of his neighbors said there was chaos at the polls on Election Day. Apparently the sample ballots that were mailed to residents were very different from the actual "butterfly" ballot. That was the one with choices for President on 2 sides. More than 19,000 ballots weren't counted because they were marked incorrectly with 2 names. 90% of them had the oval next to Al Gore's name punched and another candidate. 10% had Bush's name and another candidate. That was the first time since 1888 that a President of the United States lost the popular vote but was still sworn into office. Anyway, my father was a WWII veteran (he's since passed away) and was not stupid or senile. He was very active in politics and told me there was a meeting on Election Day at his synagogue since so many of its members were sure that had mistakenly voted for Pat Buchanan and were very upset. (although there wasn't much they could do about it)
Still, another 2 million electronic votes were cast nationwide that weren't counted because of problems, so who knows who really won the popular vote? Were they for Bush? Gore? Who knows? It's frustrating to know that many people take the time to vote but then aren't counted. I was hoping that by now the process would have most of the bugs removed!
I really hope this time around, whether it's Obama or Romney, the winner gets both the popular vote and the electoral college, and it isn't too close. Otherwise, we will never hear the end of it from the losing side.
RE: Ballot boxes
I sort of felt the same way when I voted on Oct 9 in Venice, but I don't want to sound paranoid. However, I did feel very uncomfortable about leaving my ballot in the box at the Supervisor of Elections Office. I guess there's no perfect voting process. Our country is way too populated to have one Election Day and physically count each vote. But as above stated, electronic voting is unreliable too.
All states I know of have the same policies, it isn't just Florida. We all have the choice of just having medicare or having medicare plus a supliment in the form of a HMO, or a PPO. Where did you get the idea it was just Florida? My mother in law had the same choices when she lived in Va, in the 80s. Medicaid is for people who are not on medicare and fall under the poverty line. The exception is for long term care, even then they can not receive medicare unless they are under the poverty line with no assets....
Yes Fla is the only risk model in the nation. Look into it. Other states are not able to have that model due to demographics. Most MD's do not like how Fla runs that model. It is different. Not one is better than the other, but MD's have more flexibility in other states compared to Fla in regards to Medicare HMO and how things are practiced and ran. I am referencing PCP's not specialists, that is a whole other ball game...
where did you find that kernel of idiocy? The threat of medicare reimbursements has been a "kick the can down the road" event since the Bush years. The Congress and sitting Potus have always caved in and kept the medicare reimbursements at a stable rate. From what I know, there are indeed modest increases in the amounts that are given to the overpaid Med Advantage plans, which have been mitigated by the "star-rating" system which was originally intended to only give increases to the above average performers (4 or 5 stars), but has been expanded to give increases to the average (3.0 & 3.5) performers as well albeit at a lesser rate. Some Med Advantage carriers are just greedy and have high administrative costs which makes them ineffective.
You most definitely understand;in order to get more "perks" or funding from CMS (the government) Insurance companies must get 3 stars or above, the higher the star rating the more you can get, and it is regulated in how you get it and since healthcare reform ;it is heavily monitored how that money is spent..meaning a percentage MUST be given to the members to improve healthcare. I know you have heard of HEDIS...that is the score card for CMS to grade them for stars. The reports are out on all insurance companies now. And due to reform I have seen insurance companies drop MD's due to noncompliance of certain measures, because their practices were causing poor stars for that company. I am telling you healthcare industry is ran by pharmecutical companies and health insurance companies.
Reform (Obamacare) did step in and regulate alot of spending from insurance companies. 8 years ago it was a free for all and the companies could do what they wanted with the money, now a percentage must be designated to improve care and promote evidence based practices for members/patients. It is quite interesting...
Good for you. I just early voted too after waiting in line for 1 hour! I was uneasy about doing it, but cast my first non-Dem vote for Pres; voted for Gary Johnson. Against new bonds (taxes) and an assortment of Dem & Libertarian candidates. People are eager to vote.
I will be voting tomorrow. I was going to yesterday but went out for the day instead. My 2 daughters will be voting for the first time. One could have voted in 2010 but didn't. Tomorrow I will be driving her.
Good for you. I just early voted too after waiting in line for 1 hour! I was uneasy about doing it, but cast my first non-Dem vote for Pres; voted for Gary Johnson. Against new bonds (taxes) and an assortment of Dem & Libertarian candidates. People are eager to vote.
Good for you!! I feel that you should vote for whomever lines up with your views. Even if you have to write the name in. I commend you for voting for someone who has not been in the limelight and may not win, the democratic process is nice when it works
Good for you!! I feel that you should vote for whomever lines up with your views. Even if you have to write the name in. I commend you for voting for someone who has not been in the limelight and may not win, the democratic process is nice when it works
Yes thanks. No such thing as a perfect candidate. I've always had to pick the lesser of two evils. But since I vote in an overwhelmingly red state, it makes sense to vote for a party to make some headway for a third party in this country, one that will not be beholden to corporate and bigoted religious influences.
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;in order to get more "perks" or funding from CMS (the government) Insurance companies must get 3 stars or above, the higher the star rating the more you can get, and it is regulated in how you get it and since healthcare reform ;it is heavily monitored how that money is spent..meaning a percentage MUST be given to the members to improve healthcare. I know you have heard of HEDIS...that is the score card for CMS to grade them for stars. The reports are out on all insurance companies now. And due to reform I have seen insurance companies drop MD's due to noncompliance of certain measures, because their practices were causing poor stars for that company. I am telling you healthcare industry is ran by pharmecutical companies and health insurance companies. 
