A lot of attention has been given to the governor's proposed cuts to MaineCare. There is one area of cuts that will actually cost taxpayers much more in the long run.
Targeted case managers are available to a very limited number of MaineCare recipients. I have been blessed beyond measure because one has been provided to me.
I was assigned a manager to help me deal with my HIV. In addition to HIV, I am living with cancer, anemia, seizures, migraines and multiple other issues. When all of my medical issues collided, I was overwhelmed and unable to find the medical care or access the services I needed and the Maine CDC referred to me to a manager through St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.
She was able to get me enrolled in MaineCare, refer me to the seven doctors I now see, assist me with rent and food, and has become a great friend and source of support.
If the governor is successful in eliminating funding for targeted case management, most managers will be unemployed. This means that the services my manager was able to find for me will either not be available or will be available only through emergency room services or other, more costly means.
The bills for these services will be paid by the state during the same budget period the proposed cuts are supposed to be enacted.
The Legislature must consider the real cost behind these cuts. It simply must not allow the governor to succeed.
John Wilson, Greene
Report a correction
DHHS Budget
We all know that there are people who really must have a helping hand and there are those (too many) who game the system. If we could effectively manage the system, culling out the mis-users, much money would be saved and there would possibly be no need to cut from those who need help. There is a large difference between those who need help and those who will not help themselves. Unfortunately when cuts come it's those who need help that get hurt; and those who game the system keep chugging on with having their bills paid by the tax payer.
When we begin refusing to pay for care to those who use drugs and commit crimes: and really enforcing the requirement that food stamps are to be used for food not booze of every kind than we will make a large dent in the cost of welfare.
Remember welfare is not a right it is help that is given from people who care. What Hope Haven is doing is a great example.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Simple question John, where
Simple question John, where do you suggest we cut instead?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Mark, The answer to that
Mark,
The answer to that question is simple. If the Government overspends by 40%, then all departments get a budget reduction of 40%.
I would rather see Congress cut the fat and unnecessary (perhaps all) subsidies; however, given that they are incompetent, the simple approach – across the board cuts – is the answer in my opinion.
Mark
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I agree Mark, but I was
I agree Mark, but I was trying to get our liberal friends here to come up with something.......epic fail on my part even believing there might be a reasonable answer in their heads.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.what is so unreasonable about
what is so unreasonable about rescinding the tax bonanza given to the wealthy? Seems your definition of 'reasonable' is extremely short-sighted.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.seems your definition of
seems your definition of "wealthy" is.....um.....nonexistent!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.BULL-ony, you're just trying
BULL-ony, you're just trying to justify your greed!!!!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.No, I've been perfectly
No, I've been perfectly willing to discuss this with you but you refuse to throw a number on the table that we can use. You seem to believe you know what "wealthy" is, but where does it START?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.How to debate ....
Talking this some on this blog and this youtube video have a lot in common. Can you spot the similarities?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5ZvQsP48pQ&feature=related
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.you failed to notice the
you failed to notice the similarities with yourself. Robotic, mind washing sameness who resorts to vulgarity when people don't agree with you. I've sent an inappropriate comment to Patti, and if she allows you to continue to post after this one, then our the paper's system is broken. For too long you and your clan have gotten away with murder, but this is too much. YOU should be ashamed of yourself!!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.It is up to Patti to decide
It is up to Patti to decide whether to ban me or not.
But you did still view the video after my warning of inappropriate content!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (3) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Ah yes, I now noticed that
Ah yes, I now noticed that your tried to cover your rear, several posts later. Don't worry about Patti, she's in your corner, so I don't think anything will happen.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I posted that on facebook
I posted that on facebook last week, THEN watched the entire thing.......shame on us!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.My bad. I’ve asked the SJ
My bad. I’ve asked the SJ staff to pull the URL.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Please pull the above URL on
Please pull the above URL on my behalf.
Please accept my apology for posting the URL until I screened the entire video.
There is inappropriate language toward the end of the video.
Mark Gravel
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Warning, there is some
Warning, there is some inappropriate language at the end of this video that I was unaware of.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Warning, there is some
Warning, there is some appropriate language at the end of this video that I was unaware of.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Who is greedy here Dan? I am
Who is greedy here Dan?
I am not wealthy, but it is not I who is asking for more money from others. It is you. You are really living in an upside-down world aren’t you!
What is the pot calling the kettle again? So what is it Dan? What is wealth to you? We are listening.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.In this case though, it is
In this case though, it is the DHHS budget that is out of whack and he wants to cut 120m from it......they are now trying to determine where........but yes, if they just cut a % across the board and let all DHHS departments work within that, it might be less stressful.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I'll repeat myself, rescind
I'll repeat myself, rescind the tax cuts for the wealthy and we won't have to cut anything!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1) Disagree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.You are vehemently avoiding
You are vehemently avoiding this question Dan.....I am merely asking your opinion, which you gladly force on us every day, but for some reason you do not wish to give it on this one simple question: At what annual salary would you "rescind" the tax cut and put them back at 8.5%??
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (3) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Mark, Dan and others of
Mark,
Dan and others of similar mindset will not put numbers to paper since they know it will not make sense. It is better to keep the assertion floating in the ether-space for that reason. The motive is not to make a cogent argument but rather attack based on emotion – the emotion of envy and greed.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.How about making the federal
How about making the federal government actually pay for their mandates? Join forces with other states and say " WE WILL NOT PAY FOR YOUR MANDATES AND WILL DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR PEOPLE" I bet that would save lots of money especially in education. The feds tell the states to do things on a daily basis and then they do not pay for it....let's start at the very top and make them fund what they tell us to do.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Tina, we have joined forces,
Tina, we have joined forces, in our constitutional amendment #10! How about instead of making the feds pay for the things they are forcing the states to do, we simply demand the feds honor our tenth amendment and stop trying to force it's power unto the states.......
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.you're such a bother, because
you're such a bother, because you want me to commit to something then slam me because of it. The truthful answer is I don't know, because instead of just setting some arbitrary number, I would figure out how much revenue I would need, using mathematical formulas to determine at what level I would need to set the new amounts, even, perhaps raising the amounts for people like you guys in the 1%. I know you want more caviar for your weekly polo matches, but tough! I don't want to see people dumped on the street just so you can have more caviar on the public dole.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Dan, I challenge you to show
Dan,
I challenge you to show the math. Just like when you said the State should tax the rich $500.00 year to close a $120M budget shortfall. Your intent was to tax the 1%, but your math worked out to really tax 50% of the tax base.
Here is a cut-n-paste from my previous response:
“There are about 445K taxpayers in the State of Maine. Now if you tax the “rich” $500.00 per year to cover a $120M shortfall, then you’ll need about 240K taxpayers to pony up $500.00 per year.”
Given your track record, you need to show the math. Otherwise, we’ll assume you are dishing out partisanship.
Mark
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.mark, since the recent tax
mark, since the recent tax cut has eliminated $150 million of state revenue, and the shortfall is $120 million, then obviously the tax cut should be rescinded to most, but not all, of the people who received them. Now I say leave the poor guy who got $2 a week more, but take it away from the guy getting $10 a week. Where that line is drawn eventually is something I don't have enough information to discover. But let's just say that most of the wealthy should NOT receive a tax cut until the economy improves and lepage brings all those jobs he promised.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (3) Agree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Fixed Typo
Dan,
The $150M tax relief affects individuals at pretty much all income levels. That is why you cannot close the $120M shortfall without touching a large number of taxpayers.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.He wants to tax the rich more
He wants to tax the rich more than the current 7.95% but in the past he has said the rich do not pay their fair share........actually, they pay more. He wants to rescind the tax cut ONLY on the wealthy to fund the 120m shortfall but will NOT specify what is "wealthy". Apparently he believes everybody between $19950.00 per year and "wealthy" (whatever that number is, he won't say) only account for the $30m difference between the 120m shortfall and the 150m tax cut..........doubt it, but they are HIS dreams.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Dan, The $150M tax relief
Dan,
The $150M tax relief affects individuals at pretty much all income levels. That is way you cannot close the $120M shortfall without touching a large number of taxpayers.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Just keep in mind, the higher
Just keep in mind, the higher salary you set that bracket, the smaller the population within that bracket gets so the higher you would need to set the tax rate to make up for it.........so let me ask you this, do you really believe that increasing the tax rate only on the rich will fund the 120 million DHHS shortfall all by itself when the ENTIRE tax cut (middle and upper class) totaled 150 million? You'd either have to set that bracket real low, which it already was, OR set the tax rate so damn high you'd never get support enough to pass it and if you did our rich WILL leave state, taking with them, those tax dollars.........
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.and that's what you and your
and that's what you and your clan depended on when you passed that tax cut originally. If things had been left alone, OR if you hadn't destroyed the Democratic plan that created a revenue neutral income tax reduction, we wouldn't be in this mess. YOU created the mess, now fix it up, and if you do it by throwing the elderly to the streets, then see you in November.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Dan, I’m a bit perplexed with
Dan,
I’m a bit perplexed with your math!
If the income tax code is altered, but is revenue neutral, you have the same amount of money to spend on services.
How does this fix anything?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.you people have such short
you people have such short memories, but then that's why you make such stupid comments
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (5)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Dan, Please refresh my memory
Dan,
Please refresh my memory as to what I forgot.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.You amaze me sometimes Dan,
You amaze me sometimes Dan, first you think I'm rich, now you think I am the governor. What next?
This is the first time you've mentioned the "democratic plan" so I am calling you on it. Show me the "democratic plan".....if it's anything like what we've had the last 4 decades then I'm glad we destroyed it.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (3) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Mark, You know Dan is fibbing
Mark,
You know Dan is fibbing when he mentions “Democratic Plan” and “revenue natural” in the same post.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.you, personally, voted
you, personally, voted against it two years ago.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.as I said, "if it's anything
as I said, "if it's anything like what we've had the last 4 decades then I'm glad we destroyed it."
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Ditto, at what salary level
Ditto, at what salary level should be "rescind" the tax?? What salary do you consider "wealthy"?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.the unfortunate reality, Mr.
the unfortunate reality, Mr. Wilson, is this governor hopes that your inability to get or receive services will hasten your death, thereby saving this state money. It is unfathomable, for sure, I cannot understand why republicans hate the ill so much, but it is a fact of life. What must be done is to apply pressure to all republicans who may represent you and demand that they treat the less fortunate equally to the way they treat the fatcats, giving them huge tax cuts while denying the less fortunate with the back of their hand.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (5)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.And The Gov
Got the idea from Obama Care.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.sorry, ernie, the Affordable
sorry, ernie, the Affordable Care Act is schedule to do the exact OPPOSITE, no matter what FOX News tries to tell you.,
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (5)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Any piece of legislation that
Any piece of legislation that is crafted in secrecy and is thousands of pages long cannot be good.
One must also ask who will pay for this “Affordable Care”?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.