Cost of the War in Iraq
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America is too proud? (and disorganized)
Monday, April 30, 2007
So come to find out the U.S. turned down 854 million in aid after the Katrina disaster, this is aid that other countries pledged. We accepted 40 million so that leaves 814 million left on the table. The U.S. was ill prepared to accept the contributions of other countries.
Link to Story
Think about that for a minute. Over the last 50 years how many billions of dollars has the U.S. spent on international aid?. $100 Billion? $200 Billion ? Your guess is as good as mine. So when it comes our turn to accept aid for one of the biggest disasters on earth we turn it down. Why?
According to Hurricane Katrina Wiki page there were 1836 deaths caused by the Hurricane. You mean to say we could not accept the $814 million and possibly give $50,000 to each of the families that lost a person in the disaster?
That would have used about 92 million. With the remaining 722 million we could have divided it equally among the two states that were affected the most.
Lord knows they could use it.
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Author: Dubled » Comments:
This has to be our next president
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Everything that comes out of this guys mouth is pure gold.
He is Senator Mike Gravel from Alaska, check this video out:
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Author: Dubled » Comments:
Small houses
Friday, April 27, 2007
These are a bit too small for me but still a neat story.
These days everyone seems to want large everything. Supersize this, Biggie size that, give me the large one.
I would rather see a small community of these houses than a normal trailer park.
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Author: Dubled » Comments:
Chernobyl 21 years later
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Incredible part of history. A learning experience in the truest form.
Chernobyl and the local town of Pripyat, Ukraine to this day are off limits for anyone. Imagine one day just up and walking away from everything you have ever known.
A fellow blogger has some great pictures along with some first hand accounts.
Thanks to MarkR who e-mailed me with a link to his experience visiting Chernobyl.
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Author: Dubled » Comments:
Create your own Mii
Fun for the whole family.
Can't get your hands on a Nintedo Wii?
Well you can practice making your Mii charachter here. Once you are done you can save as a .jpg in 4 different sizes.
Here is something I quickly made.
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Author: Dubled » Comments:
It's good to be a drug smuggler
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
I would do it. So should you, should you need to.
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Author: Dubled » Comments:
Pause to Consider
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Pause to Consider
The next time you are worried about:
- What fancy car / boat / truck / you are going to buy next.
- What fancy restaurant you are going to next.
- What new electronic device you are going to get.
- How much you earn every year or tax bracket you are in.
- What article of clothing makes you look best
- What country club you can join to make your neighbor or relative accept you.
Pause to consider what really matters in life. This is a photo story board of a mother's final months and her young sons fight with cancer.
See this Pulitzer winning gallery of photos to get inspiration.
Author: Dubled » Comments:
Check your MCCA fee Michigan drivers!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Every person who insures an auto in Michigan has to pay an MCCA fee which is basically medical insurance coverage on anything over your current auto insurance limits.
Well the insurance company leeches that provide coverage are over charging this rate on a regular basis. Please call your insurance agency and ask what they are charging for the MCCA fee.
From news WXYZ in Detroit. Investigations found out what these companies are charging (should be $141.70) :
State Farm: $160.66
Allstate: 144.30
Titan (owned by Nationwide): $200
AIG $166
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The Current MCCA
From the MCCA website :
What is the current MCCA Assessment?
In March of 2007, the MCCA Board approved an annual assessment of $123.15 per vehicle (a decrease of $14.18 from the previous year). This assessment is incorporated in the rates policyholders pay for their auto insurance. The MCCA paid out $668 million in 2006 (up from $615 million in 2005) for claims resulting from catastrophic injuries motorists suffered in automobile accidents.
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The Future
Please take a look at this .pdf file straight from the MCCA Fund.
In 1978-1980 the fee was $20.68 for the first 30 months.
In 2005-2007 (24 months) the fee was $279.03
Inflation on $20.68 in 1978 to 2006 would be equal to $66.43
So in 29 years we have gained 212.60 in additional fees. What's happening is the coverage is snowballing on injured drivers who are covered for their entire life. I understand that and I expected an increase over the years but I myself not being college educated can only see this being a big problem in the future.
Don't forget this is a FUND which means the money is being invested until a claim is sent in and needs to get paid. Actually now that I think about it you could probably throw the inflation argument out the window seeing as it is a fund that is vested it should be keeping up with inflation. So the fee has gone up $258.35 ? Anyone smart, is this right?
People eventually die and coverage stops but with rising medical cost and average life span going up when is this fee going to level off?
Your guess is as good as mine.
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Author: Dubled » Comments:
