Website Woes and the Privatized Rollout of Obamacare

[xchrom]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/10/21-6

Whatever the ultimate benefits of Obamacare, it's clear that the rollout of its $400m registration system and website has been a disaster. Healthcare.gov was unusable for millions who visited the site on launch day earlier this month, and the glitches reportedly continue. What went wrong?

Of course, the Obama administration is to blame for the botched rollout, but there are other culprits getting less attention – namely, global tech conglomerate CGI, which was responsible for the bulk of the execution, and in general the ability of big corporations to get massive taxpayer-funded contracts without enough accountability.


Government outsourcing to private contractors has exploded in the past few decades. Taxpayers funnel hundreds of billions of dollars a year into the chosen companies' pockets, about $80bn of which goes to tech companies. We've reached a stage of knee-jerk outsourcing of everything from intelligence and military work to burger flipping in federal building cafeterias, and it's damaging in multiple levels.

For one thing, farming work out often rips off taxpayers. While the stereotype is that government workers are incompetent, time-wasters drooling over their Texas Instruments keyboards as they amass outsized pensions, studies show that keeping government services in house saves money. In fact, contractor billing rates average an astonishing 83% more than what it would cost to do the work in-house. Hiring workers directly also keeps jobs here in the US, while contractors, especially in the IT space, can ship taxpayer-funded work overseas.

[VanillaRhapsody]

1. disaster?

Half a million people were registered already ...even with this "disaster"!

[NoOneMan]

5. And thats like .16% of the population!

How many of those had to call up?

[VanillaRhapsody]

9. and there are 6 more months to get the rest... .16% is alot in just 3 weeks...

How long did it take Facebook to get 1/2 million users?

you know not all the population will be on Obamacares right?

[NoOneMan]

11. Zomg! At that rate you'll see 1.2% of people signed up by go time!

Echangalicious

[VanillaRhapsody]

12. aaaah you think it will never be finished and that rate will continue?

E-you are a pessimist!

[NoOneMan]

13. You are an optimist

In any case, a website is not the entire ACA. Its just a silly side show so far to a silly attempt at tinkering with a disaster the people must continue to live with

[VanillaRhapsody]

14. Oh so now ACA itself is what you think is the disaster...

good to know where you stand...

buh bye!

[NoOneMan]

15. No, ACA is the tinkering with the disaster

The US system is the disaster, and ACA isn't going to erase it any time soon.



Terrible outcomes in some areas as well (like infant morality rates). Then you have crushing usage fees in the tiered system that ACA condones as permissible.

[VanillaRhapsody]

16. So your way or the highway...

I choose the Highway...The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step....

[NoOneMan]

17. I agree with the highway.

If you want sane medical care, move to a country that cares about its people

[VanillaRhapsody]

18. Then what is stopping you?

don't let the door hit you on the way out!

[NoOneMan]

19. Nothing

I left years ago. I've experienced real care. I get it. That's the point.

Too many in America are suffering from some mass market psychosis that makes them think its OK to force people to choose between rent and food if they are a "lesser" of society; to be forced to choose if they cannot outright afford "gold" or have a special employer provide it for them. There is a social sickness that pervades the American people, right to the core, that they would even consider ACA a morally permissible reform in the universal human context. But you are in an insane context, and from the corner of insanity, a cure will not likely magically appear on the horizon. Welcome the outside voices that see humanity from a paradigm not uniquely crafted by the corporate elite to promote a tiered society that continually blesses their bloodline with ensured profits perpetually.

[VanillaRhapsody]

20. Then WHO Are YOU to tell US....what we need to

mind your OWN damn business...take up politics whereever you went...I am sure they have NO problems whatsoever...

a truly Liberal Utopian society with no problems of their own you live in I am sure...

[NoOneMan]

22. I am someone with perspective

Perspective allows one to think outside the carefully corporate-constructed box that dictates the limits of your political dialogue.

Most healthcare statistics (from costs to outcomes) shows the US should be screaming for outside perspectives

[VanillaRhapsody]

23. No you are not....

You haven't lived here in 20 yrs...WTF do you know about life in these United States anymore...

You bailed...you lost your right to a "perspective" on our life.

[NoOneMan]

25. Nothing is worth looking like a moron on the internet for

Calm down. Take a breath. I left 5 years ago. I visit often. My children are citizens as well. Get a grip. You don't have to live in 'Merica to understand the health system there sucks

[VanillaRhapsody]

26. by the way...I don't presume to tell ANYONE in another country

how they should do things there....I don't care how often I visit them...

It's not my business...

[NoOneMan]

27. How about another state?

Its interesting how we cling to these arbitrary lines on a map while humanity suffers

[VanillaRhapsody]

28. thats different...they are my Countrymen

and I am not an Anarchist...I believe in Government. Do you want to go down this road? What about towns....what about neighborhoods.....Should you have a say in what goes on in your neighbors very home?

No of course not...Ridiculous! It's none of your business what they do in their homes...nor is it your business what I do in mine! The United States of America!

[NoOneMan]

30. I recommend decaf

That's different because I say so!

[VanillaRhapsody]

29. So lets see about your "arbitrary lines" shall we?

Is your home fair game? Do we get to tell you how to live in your own home? How about what you do in your bedroom? Do we get to judge you based on what you do there? Cause a bedroom is really just "arbitrary lines" right?

[NoOneMan]

31. Whatever

We all do it. Especially the US. It tells people in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan how to live at the barrel of a gun. It tells people in every state how to live, including forcing people to individually purchased for-profit insurance plans from corrupt corporations. It spies on the world to identify dissidents to its hegemon (all funded with the fruits of your very labor, as well as that of your blessed countrymen). Excuse me for telling you to get your head out of your ass.

Those lines on the map don't benefit you. They benefit your masters. They don't identify a homogenous group of "countrymen". They identify a heterogenous group of conflicting interest who all have the wool pulled over their eyes by those vampiracally sucking at them. If thats something that makes you proud then, well, belt out your rallying call: America, fuck yeah!

[VanillaRhapsody]

32. Those people are not necessarily free to chose their govt are they?

WE ARE! That's the difference...

We are not Anarchists...

So yeah...bug off! Mind your own business...I am sure whatever country you chose are completely free of any dirty hands at all! Shouldn't you be too busy minding THEIR business instead of ours?

[NoOneMan]

33. If you say so

Haha. I will unquestionably let you defend this steaming heaping pile of shit reform--while, yes, people will still suffer at some rate from it--since you so elegantly expressed your insular attitude. Frankly, the next time anyone in America complains about this shit pile, I'll simply give them a quarter to call you (though I think you will have an equally compelling argument why they should shut up and enjoy their shit pie as well)

[VanillaRhapsody]

34. Go "shit-pile" in your own house...

Or don't you have enough to do?

Meanwhile we here have something we are working on...It may not be to your liking....but it doesn't have to be does it? We don't need your Missives from the peanut gallery.

You think you know so much....or could have done better...then why did you cut-tail and run? Go work on their problems...I am sure they are happy to have an American Dissident tell them how to do their business!

[NoOneMan]

35. "why did you cut-tail and run"

I wanted my children to have real healthcare. I didn't want to choose between food and care. I didn't want to self ration while balancing my budget against copays and deductibles. That was all part of it.

I also didn't want to raise my children in what I found to be an ignorant, violent, combative and toxic environment full of people with more pride than wisdom

But hell, I also enjoy the sunsets here too.

Have a merry day.

[VanillaRhapsody]

36. then quit telling US how we didn't do it to YOUR expectations...

I woiuld like to have a single payer too...but thats not in the cards at the moment...

We don't need your opinion...We stayed here and we fight on.....we didn't "cut tail and abandon OUR country for a buck"

[NoOneMan]

37. Itll never be in the cards

I mean really...a melting pot of insanity isn't exactly where I'd expect to find some perspective.

Your angry grandpa act is about the funniest thing I've read all day. And for that, I thank you.

[VanillaRhapsody]

38. Thanks for nothing...glad you got the hell out...

We deserve better....now I hope the door DID hit yah on the way out!

[solarhydrocan]

41. +1000

[VanillaRhapsody]

21. Oh yeah...

Common Dreams....makes perfect sense now....

Anarchist I presume??? That figures...

[socialist_n_TN]

40. So if some other country has a proven better way to do things.......

you don't want to hear about it cause it "Ain't Murikan!"

[VanillaRhapsody]

42. Did I say that?

I think I spoke about Anarchists...I have a problem with Anarchy yes.

Socialism no...We are already Socialists...we just need more of it. But no....I do not agree with Anarchy

[NoOneMan]

44. Up until now...

The only person who has mentioned the word "anarchy" in this thread was you.

As someone with life-experience in both a single-payer country and a private, for-profit system, I might have valuable perspective regarding your system (and all its faults that you may not be readily able to recognize, being that you haven't experienced another viable model made possible through a unique paradigm). And again, it is you suggesting that lines on the map should dictate that I shut-up. I find that insular. Provincial. Ignorant. Prideful.

[VanillaRhapsody]

45. Yeah to a person who literally "fled" the U.S.

Uh...I have had Universal Single Payer...I grew up military. But I don't need some "outsider" who cut tail and ran to chase the almighty dollar...to denigrate the biggest improvement we have had in the Social Safety Net in nearly 50 yrs!

That "outsider" can bite me...and deserves all the flaming he gets!

[NoOneMan]

47. I am glad you got yours when you grew up

But I must say, engaging in a methodical 5 year immigration process for our family (before ever leaving) isn't "fleeing".

"cut tail and run", "almighty dollar" (not sure where you got that), "fled", "outsider"...these are great Bushisms to hide behind I guess.

Have you ever heard of an ad hominem argument?

Hows your anarchist strawman look?

Stop shaking your angry ol cane at me and have a listen sometime. Or just learn to do a backfloat in the pools of bitterness. In any case, again, thank you for the laugh.

[VanillaRhapsody]

48. Bushisms? Talk about Strawman!

I am not a Republican...and NO I don't like Anarchy...

And I have read what you said here...you have all the earmarks of an Anarchist...

If it walks and talks like a Duck...it might just be an Anarchist huh?

You dumped this country...and NOW you think your opinion of it means something? pfffffffffft in your general direction!

[NoOneMan]

50. "Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Anarchist Party?"

[VanillaRhapsody]

52. Anarchy = Chaos...don't forget.

They don't believe in govt s no political party required...

[NoOneMan]

54. Wow! He got the joke

Give this man a hand.

And no, anarchy does not equal chaos. In fact, anarchy is just an abstraction of many different concepts such as:

Anarcho-syndicalism
Anarcho-capitalism
Anarcho-communism
Anarcho-primativism

But maybe those all quack like ducks. Quick! Cover year ears. Don't let a cut'n'runner teach you anything!

[VanillaRhapsody]

55. YES it does...if you look in ANY dictionary..you will find the word as a synonym!

Sorry...but you are wrong...Anarchy IS chaos....by any definition! They are literally synonymous!

[VanillaRhapsody]

56. an·ar·chy [an-er-kee]

noun
1.
a state of society without government or law.
2.
political and social disorder due to the absence of governmental control: The death of the king was followed by a year of anarchy. Synonyms: lawlessness, disruption, turmoil.
3.
anarchism ( def 1 ) .
4.
lack of obedience to an authority; insubordination: the anarchy of his rebellious teenage years.
5.
confusion and disorder: Intellectual and moral anarchy followed his loss of faith. It was impossible to find the book I was looking for in the anarchy of his bookshelves. Synonyms: chaos, disruption, turbulence; license; disorganization, disintegration.

[NoOneMan]

57. If you may (as to avoid looking like an imbecile), peruse

http://theanarchistlibrary.org/

There are some deeply philosophical pieces there regarding all different forms and approaches under the umbrella of anarchy; perhaps more so than the typical cane wavin, get off my porch philosophy.

For example:

Anarchism is a definite intellectual current of social thought, whose adherents advocate the abolition of economic monopolies and of all political and social coercive institutions within society. In place of the capitalist economic order, Anarchists would have a free association of all productive forces based upon cooperative labour, which would have for its sole purpose the satisfying of the necessary requirements of every member of society. In place of the present national states with their lifeless machinery of political and bureaucratic institutions, Anarchists desire a federation of free communities which shall be bound to one another by their common economic and social interests and arrange their affairs by mutual agreement and free contract.

Anyone who studies profoundly the economic and political development of the present social system will recognise that these objectives do not spring from the utopian ideas of a few imaginative innovators, but that they are the logical outcome of a thorough examination of existing social maladjustments, which, with every new phase of the present social conditions, manifest themselves more plainly and more unwholesomely. Modern monopoly capitalism and the totalitarian state are merely the last stages in a development which could culminate in no other end.

The portentous development of our present economic system, leading to a mighty accumulation of social wealth in the hands of privileged minorities and to a constant repression of the great masses of the people, prepared the way for the present political and social reaction and befriended it in every way. It sacrificed the general interests of human society to the private interests of individuals, and thus systematically undermined a true relationship between men. People forgot that industry is not an end in itself, but should be only a means to insure to man his material subsistence and to make accessible to him the blessings of a higher intellectual culture. Where industry is everything, where labour loses its ethical importance and man is nothing, there begins the realm of ruthless economic despotism, whose workings are no less disastrous than those of any political despotism. The two mutually augment one another; they are fed from the same source....

http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/rudolf-rocker-anarchism-and-anarcho-syndicalism

[VanillaRhapsody]

59. That is NOT a dictionary...

I don't care what your little website says....

[NoOneMan]

61. Maybe its in the wrong postal code?

[VanillaRhapsody]

60. an·ar·chy (nr-k)

n. pl. an·ar·chies
1. Absence of any form of political authority.
2. Political disorder and confusion.
3. Absence of any cohesive principle, such as a common standard or purpose.
[New Latin anarchia, from Greek anarkhi, from anarkhos, without a ruler : an-, without; see a-1 + arkhos, ruler; see -arch.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

[NoOneMan]

63. This is all useful to the USA Today news reader

I'm here all night folks!

If only dictionaries were the only books we weren't in favor of burning!

[VanillaRhapsody]

65. every dictionary in the world agrees with ME!

The word goes back for centuries...

[NoOneMan]

68. See. Aren't you proud?

Your opinion can fit into a single sentence that can easily be regurgitated back to you, so that you need not fear actually studying the concept in depth.

In any regard, that isn't what this topic is about (nor do you have any relevant conception of anarchy and anarchist philosophy)

Let me know if you ever try actually reading sometime. In the meantime, shake that cane

[VanillaRhapsody]

70. Yes I am proud ....damn skippy..

I don't read what I am "demanded" to read...

I don't pretend something means something else....I believe in the truth.


You can go find your Utopian Chaos someplace else in the world...we don't need ya!

[NoOneMan]

73. I really do miss people like you

You make the world a funnier place. Sanity can be over rated. I mean that with all honesty.


Yeah, I get a kick out of 30 minutes of Fox News a year too. But no more mind you.

[VanillaRhapsody]

76. "people like me"?

You mean people who don't believe in chaos...I mean anarchy?

[NoOneMan]

78. People who rant, rave and apparently fear reading

[VanillaRhapsody]

79. I don't fear reading...I am reading right now....just not tripe about Chaos!

[NoOneMan]

83. Or, erm, what you think is about chaos.

But you would never know for sure, because you won't read about it.

[VanillaRhapsody]

85. I damn sure read a dictionary don't I?

several of them in fact...and ALL support my contention!

Not even JUST American Dictionaries...Dictionaries from all over the world agree with me!

[NoOneMan]

86. So shake a cane at any book that might disagree!

We don't want that learnin stuff to let the demons in

And yes, this is all still very hilarious to me

[VanillaRhapsody]

87. at least its an ethos....

[VanillaRhapsody]

80. Anarchy noun

an‧ar‧chy [uncountable]
a situation in which there is no effective government in a country or no order in an organization or situation:
The prison is close to anarchy.
The classroom was in a constant state of anarchy.
slide/fall/descend into anarchy
The nation is in danger of falling into anarchy.

[VanillaRhapsody]

82. OOOH here you go...the Oxford Advanced Dictionary...LOL

anarchy NOUN
ˈænəki pronunciation English; ˈænərki pronunciation American
[uncountable]

a situation in a country, an organization, etc. in which there is no government, order or control
The overthrow of the military regime was followed by a period of anarchy.
There was complete anarchy in the classroom when their usual teacher was away.

[VanillaRhapsody]

67. Speaking of Centuries...the Etymology of Anarchy

anarchy (n.) Look up anarchy at Dictionary.com
1530s, from French anarchie or directly from Medieval Latin anarchia, from Greek anarkhia "lack of a leader, the state of people without a government" (in Athens, used of the Year of Thirty Tyrants, 404 B.C., when there was no archon), noun of state from anarkhos "rulerless," from an- "without" (see an- (1)) + arkhos "leader" (see archon).
Either the State for ever, crushing individual and local life, taking over in all fields of human activity, bringing with it its wars and its domestic struggles for power, its palace revolutions which only replace one tyrant by another, and inevitably at the end of this development there is ... death! Or the destruction of States, and new life starting again in thousands of centers on the principle of the lively initiative of the individual and groups and that of free agreement. The choice lies with you! [Prince Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921)]

[NoOneMan]

71. See how brilliant you look

The amazing copy and paste from dictionary.com, while ignoring the mental challenge of reading direct anarchist literature.

Looks, in terms of that "perspective" thing, I've challenge myself to read Anarchist literature. Socialist literature. Capitalist literature. Libertarian literature. Even Fascist literature. That's why I know more than 140 characters about the subject. Give understanding a try sometime

[VanillaRhapsody]

74. Yes I am brilliant....thank you!

I told you...I don't read tripe about Chaos!

Period...

Don't need someone to brainwash me that it means something other than it does....it means what it means...CHAOS

[VanillaRhapsody]

69. and another....

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged - 8th Edition 2005 © HarperCollins Publishers:

anarchy [ˈænəkɪ] N
1(Pol) anarquía f
2(informal) (=chaos) anarquía f

[VanillaRhapsody]

62. Definition of anarchy in English (This one is Oxford...Cambridge next)

Definition of anarchy in English
anarchy
Pronunciation: /ˈanəki/
Translate anarchy | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
noun
[mass noun]
1a state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority or other controlling systems:
he must ensure public order in a country threatened with anarchy
2absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual, regarded as a political ideal.
Origin:

mid 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek anarkhia, from anarkhos, from an- 'without' + arkhos 'chief, ruler'

[VanillaRhapsody]

64. English definition of “anarchy”

English definition of “anarchy”
anarchy
/ˈæn·ər·ki/, /-ˌɑr·ki/ n
› politics & government a lack of organization and control in a society or group, esp. because either there is no government or it has no power:
Civil war has led to anarchy.

[VanillaRhapsody]

58. an·ar·chy noun \ˈa-nər-kē, -ˌnär-\

a situation of confusion and wild behavior in which the people in a country, group, organization, etc., are not controlled by rules or laws

Full Definition of ANARCHY

1
a : absence of government
b : a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority
c : a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government
2
a : absence or denial of any authority or established order
b : absence of order : disorder <not manicured plots but a wild anarchy of nature — Israel Shenker>

[NoOneMan]

66. While youre at it, try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarcho-syndicalism

Or do you limit your understanding to 140 characters?

[VanillaRhapsody]

72. Anarchy is Chaos...simple as THAT!

[NoOneMan]

75. Its either with you or 'gainst you

[VanillaRhapsody]

77. In Chaos YES!

in Anarchy IT IS every man for himself!

[NoOneMan]

81. Alrighty that

Anarcho-syndicalism (also referred to as revolutionary syndicalism[1]) is a branch of anarchism which views revolutionary industrial unionism or syndicalism as an appropriate vehicle for workers in capitalist society to get control of an economy and with that control, influence broader society. Syndicalism is viewed both as a strategy for facilitating worker self-activity and as being an alternative co-operative economic system upon which to base a democratic regime of production for the satisfaction of human needs. Adherents view it as a potential force for revolutionary social change, combining general defense of rights and advance of interests in the present with longer term strategies designed to facilitate development in workers of the class consciousness and capacity for self-activity necessary before capitalism and the state can be replaced with a new democratically self-managed society.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarcho-syndicalism

[VanillaRhapsody]

84. blather on all you want.....

anarchy IS chaos...it it literally synonymous!

and you cannot get around that!

[VanillaRhapsody]

49. Bushisms....You might not know.... since you left...

Bush is no longer in office...


We elected a different guy named Barack Obama...perhaps you have heard of him!

[NoOneMan]

51. Im thrilled to hear

I'm glad the medical marijuana arrests and drone bombings have stopped

[VanillaRhapsody]

53. and your country is clean as a whistle....no corruption at all I bet!

No I won't...

[Lint Head]

2. Paper. Pen. Telephone. Speaking to another human being to register is not a disaster.

[BluegrassStateBlues]

3. The concern trolls need to take it down a notch.

Their "Made at Heritage" tags are starting to show.

[Fumesucker]

6. Yep, they're almost as obvious as the enthusiasm trolls

[BluegrassStateBlues]

7. I'm enthusiastic because the law helps me and my family.

So you can take that smiley and do things with it I am too nice to aptly describe.

[Fumesucker]

8. Bless your heart

[Puzzledtraveller]

24. You got that right!

I've seen a few that deserve the Bagdad Bob award, "Healthcare.gov is working just fine, there are no problems.." I suppose they missed the Presidents rose garden briefing yesterday.

[Zorra]

43. Did you by any chance recently "move" from Michigan to the Bluegrass State?

[Angry Dragon]

4. Too many H1B workers

[VanillaRhapsody]

10. Its not H1B's....

[Nye Bevan]

39. I bet Google would have agreed to build the website for free, and one that actually worked well,

in exchange for publicity and the ability to place ads on the site.

Hundreds of millions of dollars saved and an Obamacare site that actually worked. What's not to love? Well, I admit there would be less scope for patronage, bribery, and the involvement of lobbyists.

[Egnever]

46. Good lord

I love how so many people who know absolutely nothing about websites have so many insights on how to make them work properly.