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Gregg
11-8-13, 9:16am
Coming soon (as soon as the nautical industry hires better lobbyists).


Subject: New Affordable Boat Act . . .

The U.S. government has just passed a new law called: "The Affordable
Boat Act," declaring that every citizen MUST purchase a new boat by April
2014. These "affordable" boats will cost an average of $54,000-$155,000
each. This does not include taxes, trailers, towing fees, licensing and
registration fees, fuel, docking and storage fees, maintenance or repair
costs.

This law has been passed because until now, typically only wealthy and
financially responsible people have been able to purchase boats. This new
law ensures that every American can now have an "affordable" boat of their
own, because everyone is entitled to a new boat. If you purchase your boat
before the end of the year, you will receive 4 "free" life jackets; not
including monthly usage fees.

In order to make sure everyone purchases an affordable boat, the costs of
owning a boat will increase on average of 250-400% per year. This way,
wealthy people will pay more for something that other people don't want or
can't afford to maintain. But to be fair, people who can't afford to
maintain their boat will be regularly fined, and children (under the age of
26) can use their parents boats to party on until they turn 27; then must
purchase their own boat.

If you already have a boat, you can keep yours (just kidding; no you
can’t). If you don't want or don't need a boat, you are required to buy one
anyhow. If you refuse to buy one or can't afford one, you will be regularly
fined $800 until you purchase one, or face imprisonment.

Failure to use the boat will also result in fines. People living in the
desert, ghettos, inner cities or areas with no access to lakes are not
exempt. Neither age, motion sickness, inexperience, lack of boating knowledge,
nor lack of desire are acceptable excuses for not using your boat.

A government review board (that doesn't know the difference between the
port, starboard or stern sides of a boat) will decide everything,
including; when, where, how often and for what purposes you can use your
boat along with how many people can ride in your boat, and determine if one is
too old or healthy enough to be able to use their boat. They will also
decide if your boat has outlived its usefulness or if you must purchase
specific accessories (like a $500 compass), or a newer and more expensive
boat. Those who can afford yachts will be required to do so…it’s only fair.
The government will also decide the name for each boat. Failure to comply
with these rules will result in fines and possible imprisonment.

Government officials are exempt from this new law. If they want a boat,
they and their families can obtain boats free, at the expense of taxpayers.
Unions and mega companies with large political affiliations are
also exempt.

catherine
11-8-13, 9:24am
OMG.. Love it, Gregg!! And I am definitely sending this to DH who has been pining for a boat, but whose dream for one keeps hitting a brick wall (me). But, now, looks like if I don't give him a boat, I may be liable to a tax penalty!!

puglogic
11-8-13, 12:01pm
Coming soon, right about the time when NOT having a boat will make you die.

Is this what people think of ACA? That the need for health insurance is frivolous? Or that, if you're the "financially responsible" guy who picks up your trash for minimum wage, you're just plain lazy if you can't afford a $1000/month premium for your family? Wish I could think this was funny, but all I can see is the attitude behind it.

gimmethesimplelife
11-8-13, 1:07pm
Coming soon, right about the time when NOT having a boat will make you die.

Is this what people think of ACA? That the need for health insurance is frivolous? Or that, if you're the "financially responsible" guy who picks up your trash for minimum wage, you're just plain lazy if you can't afford a $1000/month premium for your family? Wish I could think this was funny, but all I can see is the attitude behind it.+1 I'm pretty sure Greg didn't mean it this way but what I see is disrespect for the collective whole. Rob

puglogic
11-8-13, 2:57pm
Sorry, should never post anything right after spilling hot coffee on my lap. Didn't mean to grump on Gregg, who knows I think the world of him (I hope) But seriously, people can be extremely financially responsible and still be at the low end of the income scale and unable to keep up with the cancerous growth of health care costs - the implication that's not true is pretty offensive.

ApatheticNoMore
11-8-13, 3:39pm
I am sure there are some people for whom the affordability of boats is very important. Mostly those who live on boats :). The landbound (which is a lot of us, you could even say we are the 99% .... people living on solid (wait was that an earthquake? :0! ) ground), not so much so.

Gregg
11-9-13, 10:55am
Is this what people think of ACA? That the need for health insurance is frivolous?

Pretty much just intended as a little tongue-in-cheek satire, but there's nothing wrong with humor that makes you think a little bit, too. I don't believe anyone here puts healthcare into any category except for "essential", our debates (like the country's) just revolve around how to implement such a system.

There is a quote attributed to Ben Stein that captures some of the same bent without the satire...


Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... But not everyone must prove they are a citizen." Now add this, "Many of those who refuse, or are unable, to prove they are citizens will receive free insurance paid for by those who are forced to buy insurance because they are citizens.

There is very little in that statement that is inaccurate and, IMO, it captures the sentiment of a fair number of people who resist Obamacare as a program. It is, again IMO, a much bigger bug to work out than a bungled website launch.

Btw pug, no offense taken. Open dialog and honest responses are what makes our little community special.

Lainey
11-9-13, 11:43am
Non-citizens will not receive free insurance:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/10/how-will-the-health-law-impact-coverage-for-immigrants.html

Lainey
11-9-13, 11:50am
+1 I'm pretty sure Greg didn't mean it this way but what I see is disrespect for the collective whole. Rob

yep, I had gotten this fowarded to me by an upper middle-class colleague who has great health insurance for himself and his family. Easy to yuck it up when you or yours are protected.

iris lilies
11-9-13, 12:00pm
I'm in the camp of "I don't need a boat, tra la tra la, I will never need a boat, I keep myself out of the water and those who keep themselves away from water do not need an expensive boat" la la la

Besides, DH has a very small boat, a canoe, and that suffices for the few times in his life he got on the water. It is adequate for our needs, just try Nanny G to push a bigger boat on me, don't want it, don't need it.