This is true. Finally, CMS realized that Advantage was going to use up billions of dollars because the reimbursement rate for insurance companies participating in Advantage was so high. Obama and Romney realize that Advantage has to be reined in. Whichever plan prevails (whether Romney wins or the ACA gets implemented), Medicare is unsustainable and recipients face the brick wall of refusal of providers to participate if Advantage is cut and reimbursement rates for providers are cut, as they must be. Between a rock and a hard place?

There's no evidence that a voucher program for Medicare would increase what an average person (whatever that is (would pay ($6,000 a year is cited with no evidence). We don't even know what the results will be with the ACA because most of the regulations haven't been written. The voucher program wouldn't even effect anybody over the age of 55. Since people are reaching the age of 65 at the rate of 10,000 PER DAY, it's easy to see that Medicare won't be saved either by Romney or by Obama because it's unsustainable. Eventually, recipients will run into nonpayment, either through stronger price controls or through provider unwillingness to participate in the program due to low reimbursement.

This is true. There is a lab here called Cash Lab which takes no insurance and (of course) charges much less than the labs that take insurance. A doctor could definitely do business this way by having lower fees and not having to deal with the myriad billing nightmares of insurance. Many people would prefer that they get their treatment and pay cash for it.

It's pretty common for people to take the attitude toward others that "if you don't agree with me I'll bash your head in." It is easier to bash heads when some people can gain the power of govt to enforce their beliefs. It would be nice if govt was dedicated to stopping the use of force and violence between people and not using force against it's own citizens (in the form of the IRS). Unfortunately, the two political parties seem to try to outdo each other in support for govt taking from some and giving to others (while taking a rakeoff for bureaucracy).

Ann Romney is a partner in ownership of Rafalca. Without support of owners with money, many horses would not have the chance to become Olympic caliber. Most of the owners are not making money out of it. The cost of campaigning one of these horses is astronomical, which is why it is often a partnership. The therapeutic value of horseback riding and being involved in horse sports is unchallenged. I've been a horse owner for over 25 years and have never been rich but enjoyed almost every minute, even though it was sometimes a financial strain.

The main issue to me is that a gun is an equalizer for women. I refuse to be a victim. If I carry, I can make sure that I can stand back from someone and discourage them from getting their hands on me. I'm too old to win a hand-to-hand combat.

I think there are a lot of good ideas in these comments, such as getting rid of elevators so people would have to walk up (that would be good for them unless they are sick, can't walk, etc.). Refusing to provide new mothers with formula can't force someone to nurse who has a problem doing it, or someone who, for whatever reason, does not want to do it. I had my child in 1969 and chose not to breast feed. She didn't grow up stunted or stupid. Forcing people to breast feed is a good reason to have a home birth. It's not the state's business what women do on this issue.

I guess I'm an old fogey like Prof. Williams, although I'm 10 years younger than he is. I guess every generation thinks the culture is going to hell in a handbasket, but maybe it's really true this time. I could see it coming with the advent of MTV and ugly, disgusting horror movies like Halloween. Thank you, Professor, for clearly stating what's happening. Way too much cultural relativism for me.

I'm thoroughly ashamed of the stupid voters who re-elected Harry Reid in Nevada. I had (and still have) a bumper sticker on my truck that says Harry Reid Does Not Speak for this Nevadan. I hope everybody who voted for Reid is now sorry and will show how sorry they are by not voting for Dems in November. There's a lot of hateful ads on TV here in Nevada attacking Romney, Heller and others with untrue allegations. I'm sorry we Nevadans are subjected to this stream of hateful ads and will have to be exposed to them for the next 90 days. I just hope the ugliness works against the Dems and that other people are as disgusted as I am with Reid and his ilk.

The unions and some casino owners in southern Nevada pushed for Reid. There were many RINOs in Nevada who endorsed Reid rather than his opponent, who they didn't like. The Republican party in Nevada is split between the old guard and the Ron Paul people. Watch what happens with the Nevada delegation to the Rep convention. I don't know anybody who voted for Reid, either, but then I live in Reno. The mayor of Reno, Bob Cashell, a Republican, endorsed Reid. At least, Cashell will be out next year due to term limits. Wish we had term limits on Reid and other long-term elected persons who have developed serious cronyism and look for ways to push legislation through that benefits their friends and donors.

But, look, Nevada went for Obama in the last election and re-elected Reid. What more can you ask of southern Nevada voters? Unions and casinos (although Steve Wynn doesn't seem particularly pro-Reid). Many voters in Nevada brought their bad voting habits over from California, which they exited because of the crazy policies over there. Obviously, they still have their hands out looking for the govt trough so they can dig in.