Friday, November 15, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
USA Today Re-Names Veteran's Day as "Obama's Day"
USA Today seems to think today is all about President Obama, a man who never served a split second in the US Military. The article itself is not bad at all, but the title is offensive in that it elevates a politician over those who have earned the right to be honored today. Shame on you USA Today.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Wow 735,000 LESS People Employed!
The latest job numbers are out and only a gymnast could find a way to spin them as good. According to the "Establishment Data" the total number of jobs increased by 204,000. And that along with the modest uptick of 0.1% increase in the unemployment rate (7.3% from 7.2%) are the only number most people will read in the headlines. However, what the headlines won't tell you is that 735,000 less people are employed and with an additional 213,000 people being added to the Civilian non-institutional population, there are an additional 932,000 people not in the labor force. See charts below.
Sample headlines: (A lot of back flips in the media this morning)
CNBC: Shutdown slowdown? Job creation soars in October
Washington Post: Economy added 204K jobs during shutdown, unemployment rate ticks up to 7.3 percent
New York Times: US Unemployment Rate Rises to 7.3%; 204000 Jobs Added
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Hiring Picks Up Strongly
Forbes: Jobs Report: U.S. Economy Added 204K Jobs In October
Sample headlines: (A lot of back flips in the media this morning)
CNBC: Shutdown slowdown? Job creation soars in October
Washington Post: Economy added 204K jobs during shutdown, unemployment rate ticks up to 7.3 percent
New York Times: US Unemployment Rate Rises to 7.3%; 204000 Jobs Added
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Hiring Picks Up Strongly
Forbes: Jobs Report: U.S. Economy Added 204K Jobs In October
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
OMFG! - An Actual Healthcare.gov Chat Session
| [4:53:34 pm]: Thanks for contacting Health Insurance Marketplace Live Chat. Please wait while we connect you to someone who can help. |
| [4:53:37 pm]: Please be patient while we're helping other people. |
| [4:53:54 pm]: Welcome! You're now connected to Health Insurance Marketplace Live Chat. Thanks for contacting us. My name is Jose. To protect your privacy, please don't provide any personal information, like Social Security Number, or any other sensitive medical or personal information. |
| [4:54:11 pm]: Jose |
| Hello, are you looking for information about health insurance in the state you live in, or a different state? |
| [4:54:35 pm]: [NAME OMITTED] |
| No I am having a problem viewing my eligibility results |
| [4:54:48 pm]: Jose |
| I apologize for the inconvenience. |
| [4:54:54 pm]: Jose |
| In order to provide you with the right information, can you please tell me what state do you live in? |
| [4:55:01 pm]: [NAME OMITTED] |
| Tennessee |
| [4:55:45 pm]: Jose |
| I can answer your questions about the Marketplace and how you can enroll. You can also use HealthCare.gov to find this information and what programs you may qualify for, as well as find and apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll in a health insurance plan. You can apply now through the end of open enrollment. Open enrollment for health coverage in 2014 closes on March 31, 2014. |
| [4:56:04 pm]: Jose |
| Thank you for your interest in the Marketplace and for sharing your feedback. We apologize for any technical difficulties you may be experiencing as you use HealthCare.gov. We know this can be frustrating, and we're working around the clock to improve HealthCare.gov and to make sure your experience with it is a positive one. |
| [4:57:04 pm]: [NAME OMITTED] |
| That is of no help at all. I already did that. but when I click the button that says "VIew Eligibiliy Results" it brings up a blank page and has done so since Oct 15 |
| [4:57:15 pm]: Jose |
| That may be the reason why you are not able to see your eligibility results. |
| [4:57:37 pm]: Jose |
| Because of how many people are using the website at the same time its causing technical difficulties for some users. We're working to solve the problems. What I can recommend is you can either wait for the website to be fixed or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 and enroll over the phone. |
| [4:57:47 pm]: Jose |
| I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. |
| [4:58:48 pm]: [NAME OMITTED] |
| Can you help at all or is all you do is tell me to go the the non-working website, which is why I contact you or call the phone number? |
| [5:00:17 pm]: Jose |
| Unfortunately, we are not able to ask for personal information over chat. Therefore, we will not be able to access your account to see your eligibility results or help you filling out the account. I am really sorry. |
[5:00:30 pm]: [NAME OMITTED] |
| OK, thanks |
| [5:00:42 pm]: Jose |
| Thank you for contacting Health Insurance Marketplace Live Chat. We are here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
| [5:01:00 pm]: 'Jose' has left the chat session. |
| [5:01:02 pm]: Your chat session is over. Thanks for contacting us, and we hope we've answered your questions. Have a great day. |
| [5:01:02 pm]: 11/5/2013 |
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