UPDATE: Director Adam McKay Strikes Back
by Michael WilsonI have apparently raised the ire of Adam McKay, the rich and powerful film director who brought us “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Step Brothers.” In a Tweet on Tuesday, McKay says that my last article (about Will Ferrell decrying insurance executives) was “sub-moronic.” He also goes on in that Tweet to say that insurance executives kill 20,000 people a year by denying claims on purpose. My question to McKay: “Are you kidding me?”
Adam McKay
While Adam McKay has been so good at his job at times that he’s left me rolling on the floor unable to breathe, and I think Ferrell is funny as hell, I am astonished that a self-righteous multimillionaire like McKay would tell you that you have to do something by force that he won’t do by choice.
That is cynicism in its purest form. McKay presumes that people are inherently bad and that they must be forced to do what is “good” or “noble” or “decent.” He presumes that human beings are hardwired to be un-compassionate and uncaring. Cynicism is a lie and it’s easy to convince others to be cynics right along with you. You can go on hating your fellow humans and you can all be miserable together, searching for a villain to direct your hate toward (like a CEO).
In his Tweet, McKay says that my “argument” was “sub-moronic.” What a profound retort. Instead of addressing the issue I raised – which is basically, “Why don’t guys like McKay and Ferrell actually DO something meaningful like buy tens of thousands of uninsured Americans an insurance plan for a year or so, rather than simply bitching about evil insurance executives?” – McKay dismisses me as stupid.
I believe that people are good for the most part – even those nasty CEOs . But I’m so tired of people telling me they’re “fighting” for something they already have the power to change. Adam McKay doesn’t care about poor people needing insurance. If he did, he’d buy them insurance. He’s rich and he could actually do it if he wanted to. What Adam McKay clearly cares about is that people in his social circles THINK he cares about poor people who need insurance.
If he genuinely cares, there is NO EXCUSE for Adam McKay to not go out right now and buy people some health coverage. I wonder how much he will contribute to the soon-to-be-formed Will Ferrell Health Insurance Trust. I would be so, so proud if my “sub-moronic” argument resulted in guilting a few very rich cynics into buying health insurance for a lot of people who could use it, but I’m guessing he’ll do nothing but Tweet about the crazy libertarian who trashed him in that right-wing Hollywood blog.
Adam McKay, I know you’re reading this, so this is a direct appeal to you. DO SOMETHING THAT HELPS PEOPLE! BUY THEM SOME INSURANCE! Take a measly $500,000 and start with one hundred families in Detroit or LA or Topeka. Buy them a quality plan that pays their medical bills for a year. Then get a few of your friends to do the same thing. If you want to truly help people pay for services, lead by example and change things. And if you’ve already done so, let us know you’re leading by example.
After calling me “sub-moronic,” McKay says that 20,000 people die every year because insurance companies deny their claims. That’s just bullshit. Maybe he is citing the Harvard study that showed a correlation to a higher early death rate among those with no insurance, but I read that study and the authors were very careful to say that it was a matter of people choosing to not go to the doctor because they didn’t want to pay for the services and that there was no causation and it had nothing to do with evil insurance executives denying claims. Adam McKay just pulled that statistic out of nowhere. Why not say insurance executives kill 50 million people every day?
If you want to claim that something is killing people, as you did in your tweet, look no further than government-run health care. Here’s a story that illustrates the point.
Vera Wescott was a single-mother who worked in a factory and sprinted home during her half-hour lunch break to check on her kids during the summers. She had no high-school diploma and late at night after making dinner, cleaning the house and putting the kids to bed, she worked and worked, until she’d earned it. She went on to have a nice quiet life, remarrying a man named John, and the two traveled together, eventually retiring. But as they aged, the two decided to return to Canada so that their health care would be provided for. In the summer of 2004, Vera slipped in her apartment and was taken to a Canadian hospital. While there, they discovered that she had mid-stage, but treatable colon cancer. But because the government of Canada has to “cut waste” (sound familiar?) to have enough money to treat people, Vera was told she would need to wait 6 months for treatment. She was sent to a Convalescent Home near Toronto where she died in September.
I was a pallbearer at Vera’s funeral. She was my grandmother.
In the United States of America, her cancer would have been treated, and the treatment would’ve begun on the day they discovered it regardless of her insurance or ability to pay.
Adam McKay has never had to lower his grandmother’s casket into the earth because the government, acting as the final arbiter of life and death, decided it was time for her to die so that they could worry about someone a little younger or a little more healthy. I don’t expect him to understand.
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157 Comments
The way you make insurance affordable is to expand the risk pool. You can do this with a government mandate. You can't do it using the "charity-of-rich-people" model to buy individual people insurance. The system will still suck and most people will still have trouble affording insurance.
Besides, there already is a way that rich people contribute more to government programs. It's called taxes.
Sorry about your grandma, but did you notice that when she needed health care she left the United States? There's a reason for that, and it's not Adam McKay's penny-pinching.
Loved "Stepbrothers" almost as much as this post.
McKay's Twitter account is riddled with sub-moronic tweets.
Hey Michael –
If McCay wants to experience "sub-moronic" first hand, give him a guest editorial on "Big Hollywood". We regulars will be happy to chat with him.
Ask Adam McKay and Will Ferrell how much health insurance that they provided to their production assistants on their last few projects. I can assure you the answer is, they didn't give them health insurance at all…
It doesn't take much research to see what the track record is for "government run" health care. Sure, we have Medicare, but most of those people also buy "Medicare Supplement" plans (from "evil insurance companies", no doubt) so they can get some pretty basic services paid that are NOT covered by Medicare.
And you can read a British newspaper and track the fiasco they call the NHS to get more info. Try reading "The Daily Mail", in which there are at least weekly, if not daily accounts of the people who die at the hands of under-staffed and under-funded medical facilities. Good luck getting great care in Britain. I'd rather put my money on winning the Powerball…..
Awwww did widdle Adam McCay get his panties in a twist?? Poor poor little millionaire….
So instead of having rich know it all's pay for the supposed poor to have health insurance, you want me, the working poor, to do it instead. Why they makes perfect sense to me.
So instead of having the rich know it all's pay for the supposed poor to have health insurance, you want me, the working poor, to do it instead. Why they makes perfect sense to me.
I completely agree with your basic premise that liberals, especially the wealthy ones are hypocrites with their money. Its been said before, but they are extremely generous – with other people's money. Before they have any credibility on the issue, they should take matters into their own hands and give away their money, and when they're all out, then they can come and ask me for mine.
Its odd that because their craft (entertainment) isn't life-and-death, they are allowed to charge outrageous prices and become wealthy off of it, but a drug or insurance company which actually provides a needed service, isn't allowed to make a dime. Where is the logic in that?
"I believe that people are good for the most part – even those nasty CEOs."
Now this is where I disagree. I think people are mostly bad and occasionally overcome their own sinful nature to do nice things. Which is why I don't need any more govermnet with unchecked power or control over my entire life and that includes health care.
So instead of having the rich know it all's pay for the supposed poor to have health insurance, you want me, the working poor, to do it instead. Why that makes perfect sense to me.
"You can do this with a government mandate."
Are you freaking kidding!!! Can you imagine having the govt "mandate" anything to Patrick Henry, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson. Oh, I know, how about someone like SAMUEL ADAMS! Were are those men today?
FightinSideOfMe – you are a QUICHE-EATER!!!!!! What in the hell are you fighting for. Do you need the govt to tell you when to brush your teeth? I am trying to teach my PUBLIC SCHOOLED children how to THINK FOR THEMSELVES and you bring up GOVT MANDATES??!! I am teaching 11-13 yr the history of our country, using orignal docs and you bring up MANDATES?!?! There was a reason the colonists rebelled, THEY WERE BEING MANDATED TO DEATH BY BRITAIN!!???
what you may not realize is that rich people pay taxes. I'm saying that if you want rich folks to fund insurance for poor folks, you should do it in a systematic way. Higher taxes on the rich, for example, is a systematic way.
I can't believe I'm writing this, but you actually have a point.
I'm not really big on any model that provides health INSURANCE to poor people. All that does is give them equal access to my doctor's office and add about three trillion to the deficit (I got the "three trillion" from the same place McCay got his 50,000, so don't bother asking). Then, health care will suck equally for all of us, and we'll all be broke. Sweet.
I would support a system that provided free health care CLINICS to people without insurance. No charge whatsoever, but you would have to stand in line. We could partially staff the places with doctors and nurses who were willing to work off their college loans, or cut the older ones a sweet deal on malpractice insurance for the donation of one or two days a month. Rich folk like McCay and Farrell could donate some of their cash, and I could still see my doctor when I needed to.
(contd)
Did you miss the point that his grandmother went to Canada, but they told her she had to wait 6 months and died in the meantime? Did you miss that teeny, tiny little detail? This will happen here. You cease to be a "person" and become an "expense". Our system needs tweaking, not an overhaul.
(contd)
If the poor folk didn't like that level of service, they could work to better themselves, the way people used to do before there was welfare.
Does that sound uncompassionate? Jesus Himself said something eerily similar to "screw the poor" (actually what He said was, "the poor will be with you always", in response to Judas' plea for more welfare funding. Mine is the modern American translation). He was obviously a Republican.
Seriously, all welfare of any sort does is disincentivise the poor to work for their own betterment. "Tough love" is a slap in the face and the message that, if you want out of that hole you need to start climbing.
(contd)
If the poor folk didn't like that level of service, they could work to better themselves, the way people used to do before there was welfare.
Does that sound uncompassionate? Jesus Himself said something eerily similar to "screw the poor" (actually what He said was, "the poor will be with you always", in response to Judas' plea for more welfare funding. Mine is the modern American translation). He was obviously a Republican.
Seriously, all welfare of any sort does is disincentivize the poor to work for their own betterment. "Tough love" is a slap in the face and the message that, if you want out of that hole you need to start climbing.
Of course these people want to have you and me pay their expenses. It's only fair.
Wow. What an absolutely fantastic post, Michael. But your extremist, reactionary and moronic views have used a very outdated and obsolete method of persuassion — logic. The Left has no use for this, dontcha know. It doesn't feel good….and it hurts them in the brain to think…cuz thinking is hard. I would LOVE it if all the smarmy hypocrite rich lefties would actually have the balls to put THEIR money where their mouth is…instead of volunteering EVERYBODY ELSE'S money. Oh well… Adam McKay and Will Ferrell… they make me laugh though, so there's that. But as Truman Copote once said on the Tonight Show, re. marlon Brando…"well, Johnny, there seems to be something about great artistic talent…and intelligence…that are mutually exclusive."
Ha! …uh….present company excluded OF COURSE, lol.
I think Ferrell is funny as hell
Sorry, dude, but you just nuked your confidence rating. Ferrell is about as un-funny a comedian as I've ever seen.
I think I might agree with your disagreement, but you need to take a deep breath and make your arguments calmly for me to take you seriously.
Also, a huge chunk of that oney is gonna come from Medicare cuts. Hope everyone said all they need to say to granny and grampy….
Also, a huge chunk of that money is gonna come from Medicare cuts. Hope everyone said all they need to say to granny and grampy….
I'll be "Fighting Side of Me" is one of those "liberals" who often gripe about the Religious Right because they want to use the power of the State to force their religious values on people. Not like him. They just want to use the power of the State to force their.secular values on people. Totally different.
Once upon a time , most people went to church and they tithed and the churches took the money and cared for the poor. Isn't that what you're suggesting ? There were county poorfarms, and families lived in multi-generational households caring for their old, as the old cared for the very young so they could work.
What happened !?!?
Besides medicaid is a universal health care program for those truly in need.
This is all about the benjamins. The government wants control and they have hoodwinked their minions into thinking it's for a good purpose. It's not, it's just control. Evidently working for it isn't nearly as easy as just taking it after some political machinations. Capitalism isn't some program they detest, it's a system that they can't compete within to gain something the hard way, by working for it. Look at their base ……….
[...] of his vast fortune to buy poor people health insurance if he’s that concerned about it by calling them “sub-moronic” and then staying very, very [...]
You sound like a real moron. If the rich paid for insurance that is still spreading the risk, dimwit. If the government forces it into a government monopoly that increases the risk of resource mismanagement, thereby increasing the risk of more untreated. Only now, instead of the untreated being a few, the untreated become the many. And those that worked for their own living are now tossed into a random turkey shoot with those that were unwilling to work for their own living.
I think that fighting… got a little confused. the author's answer to the problem was that the rich folks should pay for the mandates. it seemed to be that the rich folks wanting us to be forced to do something that we don't want to do while they have the $ to avoid said thing is hypocritical. Therefore, the author's suggestion that those particular rich folk should fund their own mandates was a "put your $ where your mouth is" suggestion, not a public policy suggestion.
as it is said rich folk pay for the majority of the stuff going on in this country. but these new mandates are going to seriously impact freedom and pocketbooks of the regular folk. And the mandates aren't being put into place because the regular folks are a drain on the system, they are being created to "help" the poor, reckless, or freeloading folks. why should the regular folks have their freedom curtailed and their pocketbooks invaded because of the poor, reckless, or freeloading? That's the rub! (cont)
Maybe I'm missing Fighting Side's point (which would be odd, because "liberals" are usually the epitome of lucid reasoning), but if rich people–the Beverly Hills Bolshies, Park Avenue Pinks (Soros, Michael Moore, etc.), Kennedys, etc.–actually took the money they put toward statist causes and candidates and bought poor people insurance policies, how would those policies not be affordable? The rich "liberals" could afford them, and they'd be paying for them. And, hopefully, taking their hands out of our pockets and LEAVING THE REST OF US THE #$%^ ALONE!! (It's called liberty, Fighting Side. You oughta look into it sometime.)
"I remember when 'liberal' meant being generous with your own money."–Will Rogers.
But to the author: NO, people are not basically good. And NO, the liberal state of mind isn't that people are bad – it's that they are ignorant but well-meaning. Conservatives tend to believe in the inherent fallen nature of man (religious or not); that's why we like balance of power and "republic" values instead of mob-rule democracy. Liberals think that folks are good, but some (the libs in power) are better (everyone is equal, but some are more equal?). They want to "help" all of us ignorant, but good, well-meaning people to make the "right" decisions. And the only way to guarantee that we the people make the "correct" choice is for them to make it for us.
Michael, I am sorry about your loss. It sadly illustrates that when people seek to get something for nothing, then they get what they pay for. If her story helps illustrate the danger of government intrusion, then perhaps some small modicum of good can come from it.
Here are the numbers. The original "uninsured" numbers were 47 million, but the breakdown is about 15 million are illegal alliens (shouldn't get health insurance), 15 or so million are people who make over $75,000 and for whatever reason, don't want or have insurance for reasons known only to them. The remainder, about 15+ million are either the poor and can't afford it. So why are the liberal Democrats wanting to put us all under a single-payer program and not just provide or concentrate on that number? And yes, they've said that is their ultimate goal. Even dear Obama has said it. Hank has it right. They want to cut Medicare for seniors. This is for control. The liberal's in the Democrat party have been salivating about this for years. And now may be their only and best chance to get it.
yes, yes, completely different…..LOL
That actually sounds good. But I doubt ANY liberal would donate to it. Government is the vehicle for donations to the red diaper babies.
Old Tom, we already have this system. Are you arguing for expanding it?
Spread across 50 states and all U.S. territories, there are 1,200 Community Health Centers that provide vital primary care to 20 million Americans with limited financial resources.
http://www.nachc.com/about-our-health-centers.cfm
the full court press is on…
And McKay and Ferrell are just two more of the privileged but clueless idiots who need every bit of their shallow intelllects to make stunningly mediocre films. When they weigh in on this (who's calling the shots here? Josi Sargent, perhaps?) it is yet more reason to defeat this bill- and the swine who pose as our 'representatives'.
Make them pay in 2010…
Could we reply to another person's post without immediately lapsing into name-calling? I can be as snarky and sarcastic as the next guy (unless the "next guy" happens to be Iowahawk, then I just bow to the Master), but really, would the force of your agrument have been lessened if you cut out the "moron" and "dimwit" parts?
Dingus.
If the set PAs are union, that's how they get their insurance. And set PAs are members of either IATSE or DGA etc. Pretty sure these are union films. IN the production office, different story.
That is probably the reason why liberals like McKay & Ferrell want Gov. health care reform. This would ease their conscience as they probably don't give any health, or other benefits to their personal/production assistants.
Expanding the risk pool (combined with community rating and guaranteed issue) would simply transfer the cost from the young to the old.
Sorry, I was taking a break from preparing my lesson for tomorrow and I read this and lost it. Teaching US history and reading a comment like this from someone who is willing to give their rights to the govt, or that the govt actually gives us our rights, is frustrating.
Expand the risk pool?
If you live in Hawaii and you are not employed by one of Neil Abercrombie's Big Union cronies then you have to fork out over $4000 per year for coverage. That's $40,000 in a decade. That is after tax liabilities are settled. Do the math on how $40K pre-tax calculates.
Explain to me why an insurance company in Pennsylvania or Idaho or Nevada can't compete with what is available here. Government intrusion?
Expand the risk pool? So if I am forced to pay this don't you think I will actually start to use the services that for the the last several years were unneeded? It's not like prepaying to see a Chris Kattan movie. I'll skip that even if I ordered the junk. But if I'm dropping several thousand dollars on health care you can be damn sure that I'm getting more than a box of contact lenses and a teeth cleaning.
And the first thing I'll go for are some killer tranquilizers to help rationalize how the Nancy Pelosi's, Barney Franks' and the Rahm Emanual's of the world ever gained control of this great nation. Human nature Adam.
I am Canadian. Fix what you have. And run run far away from any public option. The health care here us ugly, and many generations have been indoctrinated to belive that we are superior to the USA. I am discusted by these clueless liberals knowing what the little people need, until his film crew gets paid equal to what they are bringing home -shut up- and now they are throwing stones, at least insurance providers at least help people, all these two do are make pretty pictures. Unbelievable.
Ah yes, over-paid idiot commies celebrities who pretend to care for the poor, but shield their money off-shore so they don't pay taxes. Congress should start legislating that only artists who has talent should get paid.
As to Will Farrell, if you want to watch an overweight middle-aged man parading around in his tighty-whiteys, drop by my place. No cover charge.
Oops, I said "tighty-whitey". Does that make me a racist?
I'm all for allowing people to shop for insurance from any state in the union. That would immediately bring in competition and drive down prices.
As a side note to the disincentivize statement, I had family members who were on medicaid for which they never had to pay for complain at a family gathering about how wrong it was for them to have to pay a 10 dollar copay at the clinic. You see the free medicaid wasn't even enough for them to be happy about.
So, what are you saying? NOBODY in America is actually denied health care when they in fact need it? What a country!
The problem is, that will never be good enough for the militant poor and the entitlement junkies. They want what I have because I worked for it and made better choices. They just don't want to have to do all that work. I'm with Jesus on this one.
This government wants to limit incomes for the wealthiest ten percent and increase their taxes to pay for a growing variety of programs that get more expensive every year. No matter how small the pie gets they want to give away larger slices while making it impossible for us to not use the services only they provide. The rationing of health care is inevitable and the willing sacrifice of freedom is inexcusable for an American citizen.
Take a measly $500,000 and start with one hundred families in Detroit or LA or Topeka. Buy them a quality plan that pays their medical bills for a year.
Heck you don't even have to do that. Mssr. McKay, Ferrell, et al, can start by bankrolling health coverage for the vast majority of SAG members who don't make enough to qualify for health insurance per their own union's rules.
Clean up your own back yard you self righteous jerk.
The Bible also said for those who have crops in the field to leave a portion for the poor. Notice that he did not say to harvest it and give it to them. Part of the harvest is left in the field to pick for themselves.
I'm terribly sorry to hear that anything McKay ever produced left you amused, much less gasping for breath. He and Ferrell are talentless, sophomoric douchebags, and I find their work about as funny as cancer. More art and intelligence went into your short column (eviscerating this douche nozzle) than McKay has mustered in his pathetic, money-grubbing career.
He is an irredeemable prick, and I hope he chokes to death on the tens of millions of dollars he has made selling crap comedy to high school kids like some filthy corner drug dealer.
I like this idea. As for FightinSideofMe, the rich get OUT of paying their fair share of taxes. Not only that, but why is it that the very cities that have so many community organizers who tend to be rich and have rich friends, never improve? Chicago has had huge numbers of politicians sucking in taxes purportedly to "help the poor." Yet there schools are horrible, there are gangs everywhere and the Slum Lords and Ladies like Valerie Jarrett do nothing to improve the living conditions of the poor people who live in their rundown buildings. Oh, darling Michelle Obama and her BFF Valerie Jarrett were actually running a patient-dumping scheme. They were accepting money to treat patients but the patients would only be given basic first-aid and then sent off to anpother hospital on the BUS, not even in an ambulance. These pols for decades have bilked taxpayers and have put the money in their own pockets. They are not using it to help the poor, but the poor don't know that, they just keep on sucking at the government tit because they've been told they are entitled and they are getting their little drop of government milk every week or every month.
Will Ferrell can be funny if he has a GOOD script in his face (Step-Brothers, "I need cowbell"), but if he were stuck with improv, he would be in line for free health care or working for ACORN.
Did you even read the article?
How stupid do you have to be to write, "Sorry about your grandma, but did you notice that when she needed health care she left the United States? There's a reason for that, and it's not Adam McKay's penny-pinching."
Did you not get that was the whole point of the second half of the article? Yeah, his Grandma went back to Canada THINKING their health care would be provided for. Yet when she really needed it after being diagnosed with cancer, the government made her wait which resulted in her death. She did go back to Canada for the health care and in doing so she died, waiting.
I know history is probably not your strong point, but here's a lesson. Back in the day, it was RICH people who footed the bill, out of their own pocket for many things and not through taxes. Through their charitable giving. they started hospital, museums, libraries, symphonies, etc. Which is the point of the first part of the article. People as rich as Adam McKay and Will Ferrel are now were 100 years ago providing for the less fortunate out of their own pockets. Ever heard of Rockefeller? Carnegie? Hughes?
Come back and comment when you get you some knowledge.
Sub moron? Isn't that a submersible sea going vessel with screen doors, designed by a liberal think tank?
Did you bother reading this? She left to get free health care, and instead she was killed by the government. Don't they teach liberals reading comprehension?
Well obviously he doesn't want to full address the issue… otherwise he wouldn't TWEET about it… Seriously, what moron TWEETS their rebuttal? I'll tell you how… the Lindsey Lohans in the world that have no thoughts of anyone but themselves…
Well obviously he doesn't want to full address the issue… otherwise he wouldn't TWEET about it… Seriously, what moron TWEETS their rebuttal? I'll tell you who… the Lindsey Lohans in the world that have no thoughts of anyone but themselves…
I think that line was in the book Leviticus, which is the same book that specifically states two man having sexual relations (as well as sex with animals, your brother's wife, son's wife etc.) is detestable (very bad). As if this were not common sense already…. Of course it says in the bible that gay is wrong in god's eyes, all you have to do is look it up. To all you freaky people out there that think gay is normal, sorry to burst your bubble with truth, it's not! [off topic already]
Michael…spot on and great writing
ADAM MCCAY – YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN P3WN!D BY MICHAEL WILSON. You need a summary? here's one for you:
You make so much money, YOU pay for those poor peons you seem think need taking care of, you Great White Burden to us all. To quote: "…a self-righteous multimillionaire like McKay would tell you that you have to do something by force that he won’t do by choice." Take that and shove it up your fat you know what.
I really dont care what you do with your life McKay but the minute you start telling me how to run my life is the minute I tell you DONT TREAD ON ME. Practice what you preach and go to Cuba. And don't come back.
And by pulled the statistic out of nowhere you mean he pulled it out of his ass.
The left are constantly pulling stats out of their asses
Excellent, intelligent, direct response to McKay. Three qualities that McKay's response lacks. Your challenge is an excellent one. Why don't a bunch of well-paid (I won't even accuse them of being overpaid) actors/directors/writers/producers get together and start a charitable insurance fund? Let people apply for insurance assistance, set some standards, and help out your fellow man? Use capitalism to make money that you can then donate charitably to people who, for one reason or another, can't afford insurance. Brilliant!
Great link. Right off the bat on the main toolbar is "Advocacy/Voter Registration" where you can find helpful info on setting up a voter registration drive at your medical clinic. Then "Publications & Resources – Helpful Links" includes the direct web addresses for Congress and the White House, besides all the "advocacy" groups.
"Community Health Centers" that gladly rally with SEIU and ACORN?
Yup, sounds like a winner.
Anything celebrities put their nose in is advertising for… whatever they put their nose in. Being involved in a sarcastic little vid… makes you a supporter of your sarcastic topic. I hate that so many people get their news from celebrity opinion when the people who choose to get their news this way don't realize is developed from a massive disconnect between the two realities.
MR. WILSON, EXCELLENT JOB!!! YOU EXPOSE THE HYPOCRITES ON THE LEFT VERY WELL…. WILL FERRELL COULD TAKE $2 MILL. FROM THAT PIECE OF SHIT, LAND OF THE LOST, & BUY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR 1000 FAMILIES FOR A YEAR EASILY…. THAT COULD EASILY BE 25, 000 PEOPLE, WHAT A HYPOCRITE. IF THE OTHER GUY IN YOUR ARTICLE, WHOEVER HE IS, WOULD DO LIKEWISE, JUST THE TWO OF THEM COULD COVER 40-50 THOUSAND AMERICANS FOR A YEAR ALL BY THEM SELVES. WITH NO SWEAT- AT LEAST FOR FERRELL. SERIOUSLY, COULD WE NOT COME UP WITH 100 RICH ASS LIBS IN LA-LA LAND & HAVE 50 OF THEM AGGREGATE 60-80 MILLION FOR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE ONE YEAR & THE OTHER 50 THE NEXT??? THEN JUST CONTINUALLY ROTATE IT… WITH GROUP RATES THEY COULD COVER CLOSE TO A MILLION PEOPLE PERPETUALLY… BUT THAT WOULD BE PUTTING YOUR $$ WHERE YOUR [DUMB ASS] MOUTH IS… AND LIBERALS DON'T DO THAT. NEVER HAVE, NEVER WILL- BECUASE THEY'RE HYPOCRITES / IDIOTS / LIARS!!!!!!
PWN'd Adam McKay
Expand the risk pool- true, a government plan would do that. However, you run into the problem of over-running the resourse. Think about it- most of us don't bother going to see a doctor every time we get the sniffles, bang our knee, or have a headache. Why pay the copay? But once it's free, hey, why not go see the doctor? It's no skin off your back, right? It'd be like the begining of every episode of house, folks will get the most minute health concern checked out because they can. This is what will create the overburden of the system, and this is the result I fear the most- rationing care. So we all loose.
Never forget also that some of the remaining 15mill are eligible for MediCaid, SCHIP, or similar programs but haven't found the time to apply for them. So, the actual number of folks who fall through the cracks is smaller even than 15mill.
Is Ferrell tooooooo stupid to stand up for himself? Why does this McKay have to speak for him?
Essentially, you want to artificially increase demand for resources by forcing everyone to have them while decreasing the supply via budget cuts and government control of what can and can't be offered as an insurance policy. When demand increases and supply decreases, you have two things that will happen, increase in cost because resources will be allocated to those who can pay the most and/or drastic reduction of access to the few available services that are left to address the increased supply.
Either way you look at it, the mandate is a lose/lose.
There's a term for it apparently, it's called the Post-Code Lottery. Health care services are run by local offices who decide what they will and won't pay for and when, and kind of like school districts, there are wide variations in what one post-code might get as compared to another.
Ferrell has had his moments, but they are fewer and further in between than moments of sanity in Congress.
Yes, once upon a time, things were sort of like that, they still are in some places. What happened is a systematic destruction of the bonds that held us together. Destroy our faith communities; destroy our neighborhood communities; destroy our family bonds. What's left but the government?
Wow.
I don't think I can trust your reviews after that admission.
Dude… really, just… wow.
Stepbrothers? Really?
Not getting past that…
I think I should only get to hear these people talk when I'm paying them too, which I'm not right now.
Off topic? Yeah, just a little. Actually, according to Leviticus if you had sex with your donkey the penalty was death by stoning for you, then they also stoned the donkey. Which I have always considered to be a tad bit unfair (Sorry, Big Guy).
What was the donkey's crime? When they dress like that they're just asking for it?
Fair enough. I think there's plenty of help available in modern society for those who are willing to help themselves. The modern welfare mentality is that I should harvest my field and then bring them some.
If you really want to experience 'sub-moronic', rent Anchorman or Step Brothers, or just about anything else Will Ferrell has done.
Funny how we live in a country where people believe that the lack of insurance is a killer but the truth is my brother-in-law who did not have health insurance is still alive ten years after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. I have no doubt that he would be dead if he lived anywhere else but in America. He was given free experimental drugs which put his cancer in remission. And even though he had a pre-existing condition, he was able to receive treatment under my sister's insurance when the cancer returned, at a cost of thousands of dollars a month (so much for the greedy evil insurance companies).
And I was never so thankful to live in America when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was able to receive a very quick diagnosis because I was able to see my doctor on the day I called her, schedule an ultrasound that week, receive a call from her as soon as she received the results, saw a specialist who scheduled the surgery the next week and was able to get a CAT Scan before the surgery. If I had to wait for treatment, I probably would be dead. The fluid in my abdomen would surely have reached my lungs (my doctor said that it probably would have done so if I had waited a month for the surgery) and the cancer that had spread to my abdomen would have made it to my lungs. And all paid for by my evil insurance company and the overpaid executives. They've done more for me than some overpaid celebrity.
Mr Wilson, I don't think you should be too concerned with Adam McKay or whatever sub-moronic tweets that he posts……………………………….but be very concerned, and execise caution, if he plys you with champagne and quaaludes.
I have a friend who lives in Canada. We both have the same medical condition. She has had a hard time finding a doctor to treat her, "He is the only one in the area." I will mention a treatment or procedure and she always says "They don't do that up here." or "They are going to do that in six months." But she is constantly telling me how great it is to have "free" health care.
Adam McKay reminds me of South Park's version of the Hardy Boys.
"I'm getting a RAGING clue!"
http://images.southparkstudios.com/media/images/1...
I love people who say things like "I don't think I can trust your reviews after that admission." because that always works at making me completely change my mind.
my husband's brother's sister-in-law's father (sorry, couldn't figure any other way to write it) is getting FREE prostate cancer chemotherapy here in El Paso, Texas . And it started as soon as they found it. He is as illegal immigrant as they come. But oh yeah, we're cold hearted. Yes, this is a true story. If you are a liberal you can not make the argument that that is why medical care costs so much (even though it is), because of illegals. Remember, you liberals are for open borders too and allowing everyone, including their husband's brother's sister-in-law's father, into the US. A vicious cycle, isn't it?
I never trusted Roger Ebert's reviews after he told me in an internet forum in 1985 (or was it in his famous tweet in 1983 hmm) that 'Popeye' starring Robin Williams was the single most important comedy of our lifetime, so don't feel bad John you are not alone in your pain.
So much hate, so many scare tactics as we are told by the Irrelevant Press. Oh wait, they won't read this article. Way too much logic, common sense and compassion. Those attributes are reserved only for the irrelevant press so this can't possibly be legitimate journalism in their view. Well said and fantastic replys.
Michael Wilson's argument of having rich people pay for the health care of others is expanding the risk pool. The people getting the insurance paid for them are added to the pool of people covered by the insurance company, thereby expanding the pool of people. The risk pool is expanded by exactly the same amount as if the people paid for it themselves. Your argument makes no sense.
Hollywood can not,will not, did not take care of their own. The Actors Home closed, and their peers (older and more wrinkled) were kicked to the curb….Compassion, liberal style…..
Nice job Michael.
Speaking of sub-moronic. A government mandate will simply result in putting EVERYBODY on Medicare, which is scheduled to go broke the year I become eligible for it. The way to make health care affordable is to allow more real competition and choice, which will mean LESS government involvement and oversight.
You're right, Michael, people are good when given a chance.
McKay though, would never give them that chance,. to lie with that number, when he was publically shamed,.. I had my back broken on the job awhile back. The folks who helped me, were coworkers, and strangers,.. bystanders who stepped up to help a fellow mortal who had been unlucky and they reached out to comfort me till the emt's got there.
A cynical people would just ignore it and walk on by, but so many, did not. The offers of help were desparately apreciated when you eyes glaze over in pain, when you begin to fear exactly how badly you wer….. what defines America to me, is everytime I have seen an emergency, and accident, or somebody ill,..
People always reach out to help, in very impressive numbers, they offer an example of us at our best. It's your America I live in Michael, not McKay's cynical fifedom of the evil rich and their victims. it's a small cold and ugly place in McKay's heart to reply as he did,. accusing the selected villans of murder?
The difference between being a citizen of a republic, and a bystander in a republic.
I used to keep a list of the unfunniest people paid a lot of money to be funny. For years, Will Ferrell was #2 on that list, being just edged out by Howie Mandel. Then Deal or No Deal went on the air, and Howie actually made me laugh a few times. Ferrell was #1 until I stopped keeping track.
If I were to resurrect the list, Ferrell would be at the top of the list, but he would be tied with Seth Macfarlane, who is a sick man even for an animator. Where's the humor in seeing a toddler beat a dog bloody?
Not trying to change your mind. Just shocked that you liked it.
Reading a reviewer over a period of time, coupled with similar personal appraisals, is a good way to select a movie to watch that wouldn't normally be an option. But when there's a huge difference of opinion, it makes it harder in the future to trust that review.
And having read, and been simpatico with, many of your reviews, I was a little surprised with your praise for Stepbrothers. That's it. It's not meant as an insult or a critique on you personally, but it does diminish the confidence in your recommendations in the future based on the compatibility of individual tastes.
I'm sorry about your grandmother. Exactly why we don't want govt plans. AreaMan, brings Home Truth. It amazes me, an industry that demands Union workers, refuses a member basic health insurance, liveable disability pay, paid sick leave,and holidays, 401K plans….like capitalist pigs offer all their employees.
(I know, I worked for them. And paid 25% of cost with my ill-gotten gains.) An unqualified union member's money is (required by contract) contributed to the Health & Welfare fund & the member never sees a dime. And better, can't carry over funds either. What happens to the money? Benefit Fund gets it. Any qualified members who more than cover their own requirements, can carry over, but, can't offer overage to those unqualified. To really cap it, the Union expects the unqualified to vote as directed. Well gee, guess I can see why the richest of wealthy Hollywood, considers government run healthcare an absolute necessity. For the little people. I believe folks like this used to be called Robber Barons.
Adam McKay says that 20,000 people die every year because insurance companies deny their claims
Ok then, Adam – Name 7 of them. We'll wait.
Why would you change your mind? You're a niche critic, remember? Just like Wilson is a niche (one-shot) film director. Neither of you are nearly skilled enough to compete in the open waters of the arts, so you find your small ponds and carve out a living. I mean, if Medved hadn't gotten promoted to straight politics, would there be a nickel leftover for you in this business?
I completely agree with your basic premise that liberals, especially the wealthy ones, are hypocrites. Its been said before, but they are extremely generous – with other people's money. Before they have any credibility on the issue, they should take matters into their own hands and give away their money, and when they're all out, then they can come and ask me for mine.
Its odd that because their craft (entertainment) isn't life-and-death, they are allowed to charge outrageous prices and become wealthy off of it, but a drug or insurance company which actually provides a needed service, isn't allowed to make a dime. Where is the logic in that?
"I believe that people are good for the most part – even those nasty CEOs."
Now this is where I disagree. I think people are mostly bad and occasionally overcome their own sinful nature to do nice things. Which is why I don't need any more government officials with unchecked power or control over my life and that includes my health care.
Doggone Canadian Death Panels.
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