OlDawg

Yes. In many—if not most cases—I suggest we privatize services the government currently provides. At the least, move the services more to the state level. Federalism. A novel concept.

As I said, they are a cost to the economy. Taxes are used to pay for their services. No different than the military. Doesn’t mean they don’t perform a critical service. I sleep pretty well with my Glock 27 in reach at night. Thanks.

Meanwhile, Kaiser employees don’t think a 21% pay increase is enough… [Hidden Content]

Covered my dad’s as well. He denied chemo though. At 86, he said he lived well, and didn’t want to spend his remaining days going through that. He was ready to be with my mom. So, his last months were spent with us after dialysis failed to work any more.

Yes. I’d go to the VA if I wanted to die. Besides, my wife still has to have coverage. We still would be dealing with ACA. She doesn’t qualify for Medicaid automatically for disability because she was diagnosed with Cortical Basal Degeneration vs Progressive Supranuclear Palsy even though they can’t know for sure until an autopsy of her brain. If diagnosed with PSP, she would have automatically qualified for Medicaid because of the average life expectancy of 7 years. CBD is about the same. But, it’s classified differently because they know so little about it. She was denied Medicaid because of someone’s definition and classification.

At going on 63, we’ve paid our share as well. Our employer based insurance went up as well while we were still working. We didn’t ask for the ACA. There were other ways to do things. But, that ship has sailed. Now, we don’t have a choice for 2 more years if we want any kind of insurance coverage.

My wife meets her OOP every year just due to injections and medicine to try to slow her progressive palsy, and helping keep her from choking on her food and asphyxiating herself, or contracting pneumonia and dying. Her OOP is $3600. You really don’t know until you’re in someone else’s shoes. I’m a less government guy. But, when they take away choices to push an agenda, you deal with it as you can. ACA had no bearing on your Medicare.

Federal workers are a drain on the economy. Not an adder.

The people against it are either on true socialized medicine (Medicare, Medicaid) or employer based. You gripe about it, but you’re on socialized care with Medicare. You have no leg to stand on. Sorry. If you were over 60–but not yet 65–retired (either through choice or not), and needed insurance due to health reasons, you’d sing a different tune. You’d be glad you could get anything. Our ACA coverage has been better than any I ever had under my employers. It’s just expensive as crap. But, we’ve had zero issues with it. Even for high level experimental treatments for my wife’s Parkinson’s Plus.

Like I said, we’d be happy with a catastrophic plan where we paid the first $10k or so, and only used insurance for major medical expense. Just something to keep us from going bankrupt from medical emergencies. We’d pay for typical, routine care ourselves. Basically, what insurance is supposed to be. Protection from catastrophe. But, the government has taken away that option. They could have easily forced insurers to cover pre-existing conditions, let the insurance companies set the rates based on that criteria, allowed competition across state lines, allowed us to shop around, and been done. We all would have still had choice. Instead, they forced coverage on us we didn’t want or need. Not much different than Medicare. If you don’t enroll at 65, you’re penalized in most cases. Medicare rations care more than what we have now with ACA.

I understood. I’ve been higher on y’all this year than the ‘experts’, and always thought 3rd was yours to lose. Anything can happen. But, I think there’s still a gap between the 3 top teams. On the good news front, I’ve been keeping an eye on 12-5A this year, and I think y’all have improved while their 4 seem to have fallen off a little bit. The gap between y’all doesn’t look to be as big. I feel pretty good about our Top 3’s chances against them this year. I’m waiting to see how the 3 of us fare against each other as well. It’s going to be a fun last 3 weeks.

I honestly don’t think y’all will be able to score near enough to beat either Angleton or La Porte. Angleton’s D won’t face their first real test until LP. LP D has made personnel/scheme changes since PNG, and is coming along nicely now. Of course, the level of competition hasn’t been at the level of the predistrict yet. That will start with y’all & Angleton. I’m feeling a lot better about it though. Y’all’s best shot at Angleton is playing them the next week after they play LP. I don’t see LP overlooking y’all as you should still be undefeated next week when we play. Plus, LP hasn’t lost a district game in over 2 years. Not sure they’re going to just give up the crown without a ‘Dawg’ fight.

Never know, the Ganders may try to opt up? Keep things a little more together for them at least.

Never can tell who y’all are talking about when you use LP for Lufkin also. (That’s kinda’ like saying PAMT.) La Porte has ALWAYS been LP. It’s the name of the town. As far as snapshot day, I don’t see La Porte gaining 200 students. Unless the cutoff number drops, they’ll probably remain 5AD1 upcoming cycle. Top end. But, still 5A. EDIT: La Porte turned in 2249 in 2024. I thought it was 2079. So, they could be at 6A level if it stays 2275. They did have a decent graduating class though.

It's basically a Medicare Advantage Plan system for those under 65 with a lot higher cost for the enrollee. I'm just hoping we can keep some form of coverage for 2 more years. I'd be happy with a catastrophic plan. But, the law doesn't allow us to purchase one. They basically limit choice/freedom.

You could see it coming, not really like it, but still HAVE to be on it or you can get no coverage. The only people that say it’s cheap are those who buy a plan that won’t do them much good if they have a real emergency. We pay over $2600/mo. with a $3600 deductible—which is also max OOP. With the largest medical center in the world right here in Houston, there are still only 2 plans in 2025 that allow you to go to Tier One hospitals (Methodist, MD Anderson, etc.). If you need services that only those provide, you pay out the butt. It’s been that way since ACA started. Premiums have risen from about $500/mo. to the over $2600/mo. they are now in that short span—with deductibles also rising dramatically. Can’t say it’s all for-profit insurance either because our plan is non-profit run by Harris County Health Dept. It’s the plan most of the doctors we know use because it’s the only plan that will actually cover you for a major, specialized procedure, cancer, or one of those type issues at one of the Tier One hospitals. Other plans make you go to the local community hospital, and many doctors, anesthesiologists in that hospital system aren’t even covered.

All y'all have to do is take care of Kempner this week, and Porter in Week 10 and 3rd Seed is locked up. Shouldn't be an issue. I saw where Vype finally had y'all ranked this week. I thought they would. Congrats! I think y'all are probably higher than 9th in GHA though. I'd say 7ish. Definitely better than Madison or Texas City.

I don't see KP putting up much of a fight. The battle for the 4 seed is going to be interesting, and may come down to the final week of district. I'm beginning to think Porter may sneak in if they get past Friendswood next week. Not sure anyone--outside of Spartan fans--thought that preseason.

The Spartans bring a 2-1 district record, and a 4-2 record overall into Bulldog Stadium to face La Porte (3-0, 5-1). Porter's lone district loss to this point was the first district game against Angleton by a score of 56-10. Since then, the Spartans have collected wins against Kempner and Pasadena. The Bulldogs come in with district wins against Friendswood, Kingwood Park, and Kempner. This is a key game for both teams as they seek to lock down potential PO spots. Last year, La Porte started out slow at Porter. But, eventually opened it up for a 41-20 win with the Spartans scoring a late TD with less than 2 minutes in the game. Who takes this one?

Week 3 District Scores: New Caney Porter 42 Pasadena 7 Friendswood 6 Angleton 41 Kingwood Park 7 Crosby 52 Kempner 12 La Porte 63 District Standings: Angleton (3-0) (6-0) La Porte (3-0) (5-1) Crosby (3-0) (3-3) New Caney Porter (2-1) (4-2) Kingwood Park (1-2) (3-3) Kempner (0-3) (3-3) Friendswood (0-3) (2-4) Pasadena (0-3) (1-5) Weekly Rundown: Thursday night, New Caney Porter dominated the Eagles of Pasadena, and stayed within striking distance of the Top 3, and in possible position for the 4th PO seed. Friday action saw Angleton hand The Mustangs of Friendswood their third consecutive district loss. Friendswood must win out for any hope of a PO appearance. Crosby manhandled the Kingwood Park Panthers as they continue their impressive, undefeated district run. They still have games upcoming against La Porte and Angleton. But, they have a firm grip on the 3 seed with a game against New Caney Porter in Week 10. Meanwhile, La Porte dominated Kempner, with Sean Simon only carrying the ball 9 times for 105 yards and 3 TD's. The Bulldogs had a balanced attack with 4 TD's on the ground (1 by the 2nd Team), 4 TD's through the air, between Saenz and Wells, and 1 defensive TD from Tristan Oakes. It was Oakes 2nd defensive TD in the last 2 games. This Week's Key Game - New Caney Porter @ La Porte. Both teams are eyeing a PO spot, and the Spartans will be looking for the upset to help lock in a possible PO spot. The Bulldogs will be seeking a win to push their undefeated district win streak to 11 games and keep pace with Angleton and Crosby.

Looks kinda' like there's PAM, and then everyone else...Congrats on the win! I'm happy that 11-5A at least has Angleton, La Porte, and a resurgent Crosby squad. I'd expecct Crosby to be ranked by someone this week at least.

No injuries & starters got a good rest. A lot of new offensive plays were introduced for opponents to have to study. Backups played well. Successful outing.

Yep. No injuries is very good news. Y'all rounding into form a little more NS like now? Scores look like it. But, how do they really look on the field?

Friendswood has to win out. Good win Cats!

!!:12/63/F