Babbleocity 23

Things don't quite add up ....

Auto rebate leak? - The headlines of the LA Times today blared 'Auto rebate program runs out of money'. The article presented these figures: Total in rebates made available by the government - $1 billion; Maximum rebate available to each buyer - $4,500; Vehicles bought through the program as of late Wednesday - 22,782. Now, I'm no math professor, but 22,782 multiplied by $4,500 is 'only' $102,519,000, not quite $1 billion. There seems to be about $897,481,000 left to spend. So, where does the 'out of money' claim fit in? Looking further into the article, it's clear it's 'pending applications' and projected total demand they are talking about. If the current demand continues the fund will run out before it's originally planned November deadline. Talk about making a point through misdirection and false advertising... Shame on you, LA Dog Trainer!

Summing up Health - One of the bigger tenets of Health Care Reform is a switch from 'pay for procedure' to, well, some other system. The concern is that doctors who get paid by each procedure performed will naturally do more, even if they are not strictly - or possibly even remotely - necessary, adding zillions to our health care bills. OK, I accept that's a problem, but what to do about it? So far the only thing I've heard is the President saying doctors should be paid for how healthy their patients are. What? Healthy people - especially young, healthy people, tend to stay away from doctors. How then do the doctors get paid? And how do we know how much to pay them? It's a thorny problem, and one that better be well worked out before the bill becomes the law...

Curbing banker's enthusiasm - An angry Congress lashed out against Wall Street executives and their fat bonuses. The House, supposedly angered at the $1 billion plus received by executives from 9 'banks' that received government funds, voted today to restrict certain types of pay - most especially bonuses for taking risks. Good! I think. Get some of that back and the auto rebate can continue ...