Thread regarding Chevron Corp. layoffs

Keep giving your money and taxes away freely, fools. The government is always happy to take it from you and wise people like me know how to cease opportunities to take it from the government.

-Vskk: you can make up all the fake narratives you like on an anonymous site, but you must know your mostly full of it. For the record (Vtah here) I have supported myself since high school and for the last couple of decades have had a well paying engineering job with Chevron (after another decade with a different O&G company)... I have never needed assistance.

As too Wqvg, I am happy to hear you feel better about giving than receiving... but find it a shame you need to spoil your fine massage with Trumpolite insults to others ... despite what you say I find generously from folks on both the left and right (and equal numbers of hypocrites and low lifes in each camp). God bless you also, may her grace lift you in your happiness.

You know, all you guys can't rant and rave about being dependent and sponging off of the government, lifelong takers , and how great that is and how slick you are for gaming the system, but I have quite a bit of experience and can testify that the opposite is true. I am not a taker, I have always been a giver. And, from experience, I have found that every time I give, including every last bit that I can, I always seem to receive at least that much back in return, in tenfold. I do not ask for anything in return, don't get me wrong, nor do I want or expect anything, but that just seems to be the way things work out. All of you takers and leftists playing the tax-your-neighbors but not me, or so that I can benefit more than thou as long as the game is socialism, keep up the charade and playing your game, and I'll keep up mine. I find that giving as much as you can, is the best way that one can live, and I live quite a happy and joyous life. I hope all of you do too, and a little tip would be, to you gamers and political/ideological tricksters, giving is better than taking in the long run. You try it your way,. I have had tremendous and remarkable luck with mine - Good luck and God bless......

@Vdaw, it's really you guys in Canada who are the wimps. Your country turns out nothing but wimps. What does Canada stand for? What good or positive change does Canada bring to the world? You people are too neutral. You allow practically anyone to enter your country and become a leech. What you expect? Yes we have our own problems here, but we're no Canada. Thank God.

@NYl0bIP-Vtah, The very nature of your post suggests that you are, or are in favor of being dependent upon the nanny-state and upon big government. You are not someone who prefers to stand on your own two feet and support yourself , as an independent, self-sufficient person, the very definition of a responsible woman or man, what ever the case may be. Yet you hypocritically ask that others "be a man" and step up to the plate. That's the typical liberal socialist narrative and sales pitch. After all, who would support you and your parasitic, dependent ilk if you would not have a populace of makers to support all the greedy liberal takers who claim to be compassionate after all so that makes taking from others OK. America has been fine for many years with the limited versions of social programs that we have. If anything, they are not limited enough. If you don't like it, move. No one on this layoffs site is living in any sort of utopia that you speak of. Save your liberal insults for idiots who you may be able to convince to be sheep like you. And by the way, it's not "I've got mine, you get yours" it's "I worked my A$$ off for 45 years to pay for mine, you do the same and pay for yours" instead of being a pathetic pseudo-compassionate liberal parasite from cradle to grave dependent on others.

Vtah, no, you're wrong in my case, I am a Canadian. I suggest some of you panty-waists down there stand up and be men instead of the little whining cry-babies that you are. All you do is complain about not having everything paid for you. In Canada it's worse and more expensive - taxes and costs of everything and the health care is poor to non-existent in many cases. You can get in line if you like. Be careful what you wish for.

I hope more of you are starting to realize that government is not here to help the people anymore. They look after themselves only and everything that is done or not done is crafted with only their permanence in mind. No longer be an obedient little sheep like they want you to be. Learn to use the law and their rules to your benefit.

-Vyut: nice rant, except for one thing... it's your government. It is not some sort of b---s--- abstract "them". The problems with Medicare have been well know for a long time, and they are not caused by some herd of wetbacks jumping the fence. The government is ours and we own its problems! Stand up and be man! As you consider repealing ACA, also ponder why Medicare should not be eliminated on the way to your utopian "I got mine you get yours" non-nanny state.

Vbxg, Yes, indeed, you have to understand libtard speak, you are too kind. You need to understand that because liberal politicians that you didn't vote for mishandled Medicare funds, allowed illegals and new legal immigrants (yes it's true) and others who do not or did not contribute much into the system , into the country at random and get benefits among other things, , then it's the tax-payers problem - LMAO!!! Yes, that's how they think, they screw it up for everyone else, then say it's your problem, and we have to raise taxes, reduce coverage, etc. That's how the take-take take me me me socialist liberals operate. On a platform of hate and alienation. They think they can give away coverage to everyone, then blame you for it's insolvency!!! Shame on you for working hard and trying to support yourself!!! You didn't build that!! You didn't pay Medicare payments!!!

Repeal without replace would be a disaster for many under 65, and more generally for many small businesses. Your state might be progressive (I would assume you hate that, given your other comments!), but for the rest of us coverage gaps are a real worry with appeal only (even those who are currently unsubsidized). So you got a good deal... do not be so smug ... chances might sink a lot of boats. Kill ACA without replace and expect little sympathy from the young to let the old hold their generous mediacare benefits (and no, you did not pay for it....you have known for decades it was underfunded!). So get real folks and watch what you ask for... you just might get it!

Agree. Our government doesn't work in the best interest of the people.

Uihj, you are absolutely correct. The government doesn't have a clue, don't want to solve the people's problems, or are in bed with the insurance companies (their donors and friends). So, for some people like me, who can take take advantage of a loophole in the ACA law that looks only at taxable income, I chose to look out for me. I really don't care what others think when they say I'm milking the system. The government is milking all of us already and has allowed their cronies to do so all along. I'm using the ACA for my benefit and will do so as long as possible. For the rest of you who complain, go talk to your congregation. See how far that gets you. Keep pissing your hard earned retirement savings away on expensive premiums and fooling yourself it's the right price to pay.

-Unnz: there are apples and oranges being discussed here. Getting a policy through an exchange (ACA) unsubsidized is just taking advantage of group rates that large businesses already enjoy (and that's different than those that need to be subsidized to afford their premiums or are milking the system). The problem I have, even paying full fair, is that the collapse of the exchanges will make individual policies impossible to get for those with pre-existing conditions ... and that includes many small businesses with one sick employee. That was the case before the ACA and would be again with a repeal without replace. Not good for many ... and not fair to those who have been paying their own premiums!

Yes, I agree, To each his own, but, I'm sorry buddy, having to be on Obamacare is not being financially independent. You are dependent upon government subsidies, regardless of how they are paid, they are being paid by others, and not the same as simply buying insurance within a pool, others are actually paying your premiums. I would hate to live the prime of my retirement years - late 50's to early 60's, being dependent on subsidies and having to jump through hoops with low declared income and also live a frugal lifestyle to do it, or eat away at my savings. I have a much bigger and flexible budget than that, and I plan for major emergencies and premium health care. I do not call that living, nor a success story, but a great "survival" story nonetheless! Good luck and God bless.

It is interesting how the same people, it would seem, can b--ch about ACA "freeloaders" and advocate repeal, and, at the same time, milk the system for every advantage. Pre-65 non-active employee Chevron insurance reflects the true cost of a good (gold, not platinum) policy. The ACA rates (unsubsidized) should be similar. If a large number of folks milk this system then the rates for the remaining must increase (that should be easy enough to understand!). Subsidized ACA rates are supported by your taxes (not directly by higher insurance premiums paid but others), but not enforcing insurance mandates (letting folks sign up only after they get sick) directly increases the premiums paid (insurance companies are not milking us, in this regard at least... they must recover their costs). Having Trump destabilize the system by not enforcing insurance mandates but also not proposing a working alternative is the worst of all worlds! it destabilizes the insurance for even those prepared to pay the full price!

I think you are deliberately twisting the guy's words around, Uaxf. Seems to me a person can be financially independent and also take advantage of the ACA system if qualified. So what? The ACA law is for everyone who can profit from it. No law or system is ironclad perfect or meant to be. I don't see the guy as being a sponge either.

To use the term "Financial Independence" in this context is an oxymoron of sorts, not to mention quite laughable "I'm lucky enough to be getting from using the ACA, but the financial independence I have and the good life I am living."

You are not financially independent, you depend on government subsidies for your heath insurance and for your very lifestyle as poor or rich as it may be, makes no difference. That may neither be good nor bad to most people, but financial independence it is not. That's just a fact. If you believe that it is then you are in denial of facts.

Make no mistake -Torg, the medical insurance you are getting through Chevron is heavily subsidized by your employer. Your small share is the difference between Chevron's contribution and the lower overall price for being in a large pool. Once you're out of Chevron, you'll probable realize how expensive healthcare insurance really is. Don't even think the Chevron Retiree Medical is affordable before age 65. Bending over and getting reamed is not pleasant. So the ACA is perhaps the only economical choice other than going without coverage until you're 65. The catch is that not everyone who previously worked for Chevron or major employer will be able to take advantage of the ACA because they must pull too high of a taxable income from their retirement savings to live. I never set myself up for that. I strategically diversified my investments and set up my retirement accounts and savings accounts long ago to be flexible for almost any contingency to minimize my tax exposure. I also lived within my means during my working years to have more for me and my family in my latter years. So glad the lessons my parents engrained in me from young are paying off later in retirement. I'm not only talking about the windfall I'm lucky enough to be getting from using the ACA, but the financial independence I have and the good life I am living.

Ttoi, no one is complaining and b!tching except for you, who must be self-conscious because the posters on here have acknowledged that you are a free-loader, a parasite who is dependent upon others to survive. If and when the system based on a lie and false finances collapses, you will go down. You are frightened out of your mind about that and is why you keep posting your personal business that no one here really needs to know or cares about. Most of us pay the relatively small amount for employee insurance, which is solid because it's not based on a dream, lies and false promises. You keep on bragging about how you are so great that you receive hand-outs, though, we are all green with envy - LOL!

You said it. You are lucky to have employer subsidized insurance through Chevron. I no longer have that. My choices are between having no insurance, paying for expensive pre65 Chevron Retiree Medical or private insurance, and utilizing the ACA to my advantage. I chose the latter because it is my best option until my 65th birthday. Complain and b!tch all you like.

The mandate is a needed part of the ACA... you can not take that away and have the rest work (for the very reason indicated...I would just wait until after I get sick to sign up...and thus the rates for those who would pay full fair become astronomical!). I luck to have Chevron insurance... even tho it is quite expensive, at least I can plan my finances without worry if insurance cancellation.

I understand what you're saying clearly, Tfjo, yet this asinine Congress of ours doesn't have the balls or the nerve to repeal the ACA, much less have any idea what to replace it with. I think they believe we'll just forget about it and complain about about high taxes. Oh but wait, they don't have any solutions for that either! That my boy, is exactly why you couldn't be more wrong about the ACA. Those idiots may have taken the individual mandate away, but the ACA law still stands, and spineless idiots in government will continue to pour in the subsidies.

"If I'm found to have something needing serious costs to cure me, I'll enroll in a ACA plan"... that my boy is exactly why ACA will not work without the insurance mandate....free loaders like you. For any system to work it needs broad (mandated) participation or as a society we would have to leave the freeloaders in the gutter when they get sick. If we are not willing to do the latter, we need to do the former... full stop.

... and the insurance companies won't undermine me either, Tgxs. I'll save my bucks by not taking out insurance at "rape me, please" premiums. Since I'm healthy, I'll manage my visits to the doctor and pay for annual preventive health checkups out of pocket. If I'm found to have something needing serious costs to cure me, I'll enroll in a ACA plan that foots the bill, then drop it once I'm 100% again. You see, when the system wants to use you, the best remedy is to use them instead. Always think 3 steps ahead and one or two years out. You'll beat the system every time as I have been doing.

Expect ACA insurance payments to go through the roof because Trump will not enforce the "everyone must be insuranced" rule and the companies will have to jack rates to cover uncertainty that only the sick will enroll. You can blame the insurance companies if that makes you feel good... but it will not really be their fault. You can not undermine the system (risk calculations) and expect any different outcome.

Let's wait until open enrollment rolls around in October (or November for the ACA folks) to see if and how much the insurance companies continue to jack us around with.

-Shxu... well you would be quite wrong in my case...still working for Chevron, now for over 25 years, I am unlikely to ever need assistance. That said, there was a day long ago when that could have worked out differently. Just saying!

Have you noticed that so many medical offices have sprung up around Houston over the last 10 years? Have you noticed how hospitals have expanded? Have you noticed the proliferation of drug ads on TV and medical niche services plastered all over magazines? Does this sound like an industry that's hurting, like one losing money? Why do you think we argue and protest over rising medical costs and insurance premiums? It's very obvious the industry is a cash cow for many greedy medical corporations. They are the problem in the United States. Them and the useless Congress we have.

-Sjjd: most of what you post strikes me as gibberish, so worried about these supposed free loaders infesting the system, but the bit that runs true is about our medical professionals. If the current system, which requires they go deeply in debt early to reap their rewards later, is changed to a more rational system they need to be made whole over the transition. Other countries provide far more support during their training years, so they deserve less compensation later. If we are able to move toward a more efficient system, we need to focus on preserving self modification of our top medical professionals with far compensation. That said I see the major inefficiencies in the the ways the "system" is administered overall, and the care priorities set, and not in the compensation level of individual practitioners.

LOL @ Rvip!. You're the kind of pathetic liberal who has no argument, because you know @Rwrd is correct. All she/he pointed out is that you have to contribute your fair share to society and work hard and not expect handouts or a free ride, minority or not, spoken by an actual minority. I suppose that is a foreign concept to you liberals, so your only comeback is insults. Typical take-take-take from the makers liberal. Nothing new here. All that you know is to insult people whom you don't like.

@NYl0bIP-Rvip, Please vote YES on the tax increase earmarked for the public schools in your area during the next local election. You guys need it badly, it shows in your post.

I know first hand that the personnel in the medical professions contribute a lot of their entire lives and make many sacrifices and often go into debt to do it. Their services are not free and are not "gifts" to society. It's a job, a difficult and trying career and a critical profession. They deserve to be compensated dearly. In addition, their services should never be taken for granted or treated as if those services are something that the medical profession somehow "owes" the rest of society. They don't have to do what they do. They have no innate "born to be your servant-in-slavery-obligation"" that is connected with the inborn falsely perceived self-proclaimed "birth-right" of some self-entitled individuals to serve them (i.e health care services provided by others are erroneously said to be in somebody's wet-dream world as an "inborn right"). If their handlers are profiting unfairly, that's an entirely different story and discussion. Please try to differentiate that valid argument from the pathetic greedy concept that these services are somehow "owed to" and are "rights" of any human, in any country, in any area of the world, not just the U.S. Do your realize how greedy, self-serving, and narcissistic, not to mention obnoxious, that entire concept is?

I have a tremendous amount of respect for the medical community and will pay whatever cost our capitalistic system demands for their services. If I suffer and die because someone else needs the services more than I do or I cannot pay for these services that come at a cost, so be it. These services require the labor of others, it's up to the providers to decide what their conditions are. They are not our indentured servants, they live in a free society and have REAL rights, unlike the perceived one that they are enslaved to the rest of society.

That medical professional does not owe me anything because I was born with a "constitutional right" for them to be my slave and serve me. They do not owe you either.....

@NYl0bIP-Rdbb= pure idiot. I didn't know such lack of intellect even existed in a sub-humanoid as oft frequents this site.

@Smpq, transparency is always a good thing, but what good is that if every hospital and doctor in the land wants to bill $10,000 for a simple consultation or $20,000 to take out your tonsils. The medical industry in this country has become a big greedy business. No, I'm afraid we can't leave it up to them to be truly transparent. The government and oversight committees made up of honest citizens with business knowledge no "skin in the game", need to set affordable maximum prices for every medical service and procedure. New rules for a two-tiered universal and private insurance system need to be implemented at once. The pharmaceutical industry needs to be strictly regulated by government and oversight committees also. This plan sounds radical, because its unconventional in the way we've been doing things all along, but we all know how well things have turned out to be so far.

A good start would be to require all providers to publish their full cost lists, price of billing codes for each and every procedure ... and to change everyone that published rate. Without that any suggestions that free enterprise will increase efficiency is a complete farse. This could not even be construed as government intrusion... just basic transparency in the market!

You are indeed correct about the main ingredient needed to fix the escalating out of control healthcare costs... it will require the government to help regulate the playing field. Just as there's set prices per medical services in insurance plans, the government must strictly regulate the cost of every ADA billing code in the US. I think if that is done and we adopt a universal healthcare system that attends solely to the high cost events, everyone else can attend to the smaller less expensive day to day medical events through a private insurance policy or through our checkbooks. For terminal patients, the government will handle the costs of providing humane care in a hospice setting. Like you said, we all will die someday, but here in the US, at least Americans should die with dignity.

-Rtws: At least you suggest a real plan, unlike most that post here. The problem is I do not think that it is a good one because it will not reduce costs. The old saying "a stitch in time saves nine" comes to mind. It is well established that health maintenance care (checkups and the like) pays for itself long term...because on average folks stay healthy longer. In the USA system there a huge costs providing extraordinary care to folks in their last year of life that extend quality life little. One of the problems with us adapting universal care is we as a society were never able to have an adult conversation about end of life. We are all going to die, and more medical intervention in most cases only delays that a basic sorry fact a little. It will be hard at adapt universal without broad consensus on cost benifit calculations. Even without universal, there is a lot of room for improved efficiencies, and this will require government to help regulate the playing field (it will not happen by free enterprise alone!).

You are right, Ralj. Our healthcare system in the US is not efficient and is burdensome and costly. There's lots of fraud too. Maybe the answer is in a universal insurance system that covers only the expensive catastrophic events, like heart operations, cancer, end of life care, etc. All this will be paid by the government with our taxes. For everyday medical needs, like the flu, mending a broken arm, ear aches, etc., a person will need to secure a private insurance policy or pay out of pocket. I know I'm oversimplifying things, but the solution I'm suggesting is something along those lines.

It is not about the worry there will be a few free loaders, it is about developing a system that is more efficient (currently more than 25% is spent on paperwork), that focuses more on preventative care and life mantainance rather than extraordinary procedures just before patients die anyway, and that recognizes everyone will need some level or care (and the least effective way to provide it is late in the game in an emergency room). Many other counties already have better, more cost effective systems... it is time the USA stops this xenophobic b---s--- and grows up to see reality.

Universal Healthcare is the only answer. Obama knew the ACA was just meant to be the stepping stone to the holy grail. Genius.