Hawaiian

Paid $8 a seat for JAL flights on Priceline. Less desirable seats were free.

Before Covid I booked through CheapOair until they started offering flights, but would not book them, no matter how many times I tried. Then I found Priceline. Tried booking directly with JAL. They were more expensive than Priceline. Our flight to BBK involves two stopovers, but segments all on one ticket. May cost more, but better results if any problems arise like delays, etc.

It's an American company. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booking_Holdings

As China's economy cools off more Chinese money is moving offshore, despite attempts by Xi to stop it. Evidently, some of that money is winding up in Thailand.

I missed reading this earlier. Warren Buffet says his reason for selling Apple stock is that he'd rather pay the capital gains tax now before rates go up.

I said a major market correction and not an economic crash. You yourself have said the stock market is not the economy. As for Buffet, he has been a net seller for several years, but has stepped up his selling because valuations have continued to what he feels are unsustainable levels and not a crash in the economy.

Warren Buffet is taking no chances and playing it safe. Like you say, you never know.

Not unusual for bargain hunters to come in a pullback. The risk for them is if this is only a lull in a major correction.

I thought the same thing. Quite sure the Israelis know it is now or never.

Evidently, he is very confused and quite naive. Only fools make deals with the devil.

Hezbollah is denying that they are responsible. Must be because the victims are Arab Muslims who have condemned Hezbollah.

The ACA (Obamacare) made it mandatory for most private plans. I believe it becomes effective 6 months after enrolling.

I think that because some preexisting conditions, if not addressed, could lead to other serious conditions it would eventually cost Medicare more money in the long run. This is just my take on it. Whether this is the justification, I don't know.

I would like to add that over the years a variety of features were added to basic Social Security with no provision for additional revenues to pay for them. These were voting buying moves by politicians to get reelected.

Hawaii, where I live, has the highest cost of living in the country. Study after study shows many doctors retiring early or are leaving the state because of inadequate reimbursements by both Medicare and private insurers. Not sure how widespread the problem is. The restrictions on how Social Security is allowed to reinvest its revenues is one major issue for being underfunded. In conclusion, I agree that we have problems that need to be addressed sooner, rather than latter, but think both programs are worth fixing and saving although it appears the political will is lacking.

God gave up a long time ago.

Without Social Security and Medicare many retirees would be relying on government handouts to survive and maintain their health. At least both programs are mostly funded by the beneficiaries, otherwise taxes would have to be raised on the existing workforce to pay for these handouts. IMO, most potential and existing beneficiaries approve of this. Medicare reimbursements to providers are ridiculously low, but on the other hand private health insurers are doing the same thing. The end result is a shortage of health professionals. Both types of health insurance are to blame. So, some harm, but not great harm.

Why don't you admit that you have no "real" answer? If you cannot explain the great damage Social Security and Medicare have done as you have claimed, just say so.

What about my question about the great harm Social Security and Medicare has done? How do you propose phasing out these two programs without screwing (your words) anyone?

Thailand can learn from how the Philippines negotiated an agreement in Mindanao. While not perfect, much of the violence has stopped. I believe semi-autonomy is what did it.

What is this great harm you are talking about?

Witch hunt or not, she failed to defend herself. What exactly what were the failures for JFK and RR. These mistakes should never have occurred with today's advanced technology and lessons learned from the past.

Overwhelming evidence of too many blunders.

Found no answer? Could it be you haven't looked hard enough?

You forgot to mention that Social Security has become a source of cheap money for a corrupt and spendthrift government.