Typhoon Haiyan! Obamacare!

By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

Obamacare

Obamacare When if the U.S. government created a healthcare program and no one should up? Well, we will soon find out very soon. Here's how bad the situation is at this point. The U.S. government expected 1.4 million enrollees for the year 2014. So far, in 12 states where the system is running, only 49,100 people have signed up. That's less than 3%. The percentage is 11% in Vermont, but only 2% in New York. But here's the real issue. It doesn't matter. The problem is that there will not be enough young healthy people enrolling into the system to pay for the new sick people. Premiums will rise and the middle class will take a huge hit. They will have less money and spend less. This will impact retail and the entire economy.

State Obamacare exchanges enroll 3 pct of target so far -report



 Typhoon Haiyan 

One of the worst natural disasters in history has left more than 10,000 people dead as bodies are piling up in the streets of Philippine cities. With winds traveling around 235 miles per hour, Typhoon Haiyan has created a devastating amount of destruction. The government suspects that at least 10,000 people may have lost their lives in the city of Tacloban, Leyte. The number is likely to grow as many more bodies are discovered in the wreckage across the city. Let me just say that I hope the government gets as much help from the international community as it needs. But as always, we can learn from this situation.

Right now, people are desperately looking for food and water in the affected area. I understand that many of you will donate money and supplies to help the victims. And if it reaches the people in the Philippines, that would be great. However, don't  forget that this could happen to us. Please take time to seriously assess what your household may need in an emergency.

Typhoon Haiyan survivor: 'I thought it was the end of the world'

Bodies piled in the streets as makeshift mortuaries are overrun and Philippine typhoon rescue teams warn death toll will 'rise sharply' from the 10,000 already confirmed


Update: President Benigno Aquino  is now declaring the Typhoon Haiyan death toll to be closer 2,000.

Typhoon Haiyan death toll closer to 2,000, Philippine president says, amid 2 American casualties