12 thoughts on “Monday Open Thread”

1. Happy strike day!

   

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   1. Lurking in the background, according to the end of the article in WaPo …

      However, Polis said the state could decide to intervene — and suspend the strike for up to 180 days — if the walkout drags on.

      The state does not have the power to impose any deal on either side. But it can try to help the union and school district reach a deal and can require them participate in a fact-finding process

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2. Jared Polis is taking a hands-on approach to the legislature. And not all lawmakers are happy.

   The Democrat’s style represents a significant departure from his predecessor and demonstrates a political savvy he honed during a decade in Congress. But the resulting whiplash is creating as much tension as support and sparking a power struggle in his party early in the 120-day lawmaking term.

   Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat and budget writer, said she appreciates Polis’ bold ideas but less so his tactics. “It’s not working toward a (shared) vision — it’s trying to sell us a vision,” she said.

   For all the efforts to work together, the strain indicates Democrats are not entirely united in their priorities after winning complete control at the Capitol in the 2018 election. And it threatens their goal to present a unified vision to voters.

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   1. Meh, they'll figure out the new working relationship.  I'm sure it's quite the adjustment since Hick's hands-off, wishy-washy, I'll let you know what I want after you send me the bill, maybe I'll sign, maybe I'll veto style.

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3. Are Investors Finally Waking up to North America’s Fracked Gas Crisis?

   Enabled by rising debt, shale companies have been achieving record fracked oil and gas production, while promising investors a big future payoff. But over a decade into the “fracking miracle,” investors are showing signs they're worried that payoff will never come — and as a result, loans are drying up.

   Growth is apparently no longer the answer for the U.S. natural gas industry, as Matthew Portillo, director of exploration and production research at the investment bank Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., recently told The Wall Street Journal.

   “Growth is a disease that has plagued the space,” Portillo said. “And it needs to be cured before the [natural gas] sector can garner long-term investor interest.”

   Hints that gas investors are no longer happy with growth-at-any-cost abound. For starters, several major natural gas producers have announced spending cuts for 2019.

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4. WOTD from Tom Tomorrow: "Medicare For All: Threat or Menace?"

   Centrist Think-Tank Guy: "How PRECISELY, will we pay for it" What are the EXACT mechanisms by which it will be implemented? … What do they think this is, a new war or a tax cut for the wealthy — where the details don't matter.?"
    

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   1. Valid questions. My recent reading indicates that polling support for Medicare for All drops off markedly when people learn they may have to give up employer sponsored health insurance or that taxes to pay for it would go up.

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      1. No one should get to talk about Medicare For All funding unless they can explain Medicare funding.

         Now
         A. How does anyone become eligible for Medicare?
         B. How is the resulting eligibility funded?

         MFA
          How would adding new beneficiaries affect the current funding structure?

         Spelling and math count.
         Ready… BEGIN.

         I'm not singling you out – this is an open challenge to anyone who wants to post.

         Reference any source you want.  Believe it or not – there are loads of people who can answer both in about 15 or 20 minutes + editing.

         No hints , but I promise I'll post the answer (with summarized math) before Sunday.

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         1. How would adding new beneficiaries affect the current funding structure?

            Unless there was a substantial increase in tax revenue, the new beneficiaries would bankrupt it.

            Serious question:  With the Medicare buy-in that has been suggested by some, would I be able to take what I currently pay Cigna and buy coverage through Medicare?

            That would obviously address most of the expense problem associated with Medicare-For-All.

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      2. Cool, which polls were those? I'd be interested to see more about them. 

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5. Is “now” a good time for you, Senator?  Congressman? . . . 

   We Created an App to Help Cowardly Politicians Talk About Gun Control

   https://nyti.ms/2E6QFlh?smid=nytcore-ios-share

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   1. Dood!
      That was almost perfect.

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