Google Sports

Google needs a sports division. Google Sports. The company is an aggregator of data and sports has a lot of data and statistics. The topic of sports is usually a good ice breaker for beginning a conversation. They seem like the best company to handle something like this and should be able to compete with other major sports sites as the first option for information. This leads into Googles main revenue component, advertising. By building a great sports product, including fantasy sports, Google should be able to monetize the product. Google, I'm interested in discussing this project further. Contact me.

Posted with Blogsy

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and YOU!

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and YOU!

I've seen plenty of friends on Facebook shouting the sky is falling because the Supreme Court has ruled the Affordable Care Act to be constitutional. The right-wing communist argument doesn't work against this act or what it's trying to accomplish, let me explain.

Currently those who pay for health insurance are subsidizing those who aren't. The ACA makes sure everyone is in the health insurance pool. Personally, I'm tired of paying for people treating the ER as their personal doctor when they have a cold or cut. People come into the ER who can't afford to pay their bills. The hospital passes the costs along to those who can pay which causes health insurance to go up. So now those who come into the hospital that do not have health insurance will be required to pay a tax which will assist in paying for their coverage.

The current health care system is fundamentally flawed. 82.9%(1) of the population had health insurance last year. 45%(1) of Americans had health insurance through their employers in 2011. And 17.1%(1) had no insurance at all. Employers have been dropping health insurance or decreasing their match because of the rampant increase in rates over the past decade. People had to get private insurance because of multiple reasons. Here are three of the most common reasons. Health insurance could be denied or dropped due to pre-existing conditions, health insurance was dropped by employer because it was too costly, or someone's lifetime limit was reached. Those with private health insurance pay way more than an employer based program. Insurance companies can afford to give discounts to larger groups of people.

The ACA will not allow insurance companies to drop or deny people based on pre-existing conditions, will subsidize or give tax benefits to businesses that offer health insurance, and eliminate the lifetime limit that currently exists in health insurance policies. Under the ACA, those who currently pay for private health insurance will be able to shop for lower rates and those who currently do not have health insurance due to being denied coverage will be able to attain affordable policies. The ACA benefits everyone, even those who feel they do not need health insurance or don't want to pay for it.

Silly Argument against Affordable Care Act #67: "I don't want to pay for something I don't need. I'm fit and healthy and will just purchase insurance when I get sick."

Guess what? The current system allows insurance companies to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions. As soon as you're diagnosed with organ disease #107 it's now considered a pre-existing condition and most insurance companies will not grant you a policy.

Affordable Care Act makes health care available to those with pre-existing conditions.

Also, did you know that being a woman is currently a pre-existing condition? I've seen more men put down the ACA then woman. I think they have a better understanding of the benefits of this act.

Did you know under the current law that insurance providers can charge women a 150%(2) premium over what they charge men? Why? Because they can have children and children cost money. Due to the ACA, insurance companies cannot discriminate based on gender.

(1)http://www.gallup.com/poll/152621/fewer-americans-employer-based-health-insurance.aspx

(2)http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/08/women.html

South Florida: Where's our tech sector?

South Florida used to be the mecha of the computer industry. The IBM complex is still standing along with their executive golf course in Boca Raton. The buildings are now leased to anyone that can afford the rent. Florida has become a retirement center for the U.S. and a melting pot for South American immigrants. Healthcare companies are on the rise here instead.

South Florida needs the same work culture as silicon valley. We need innovation, youth, and fresh ideas. Anyone want to make this happen?

Best Buy: Being more e-commerce

I just received an email from Best Buy's CEO Brian Dunn. Take a look at the what's changing with the Best Buy Premier Silver memberships.

I hope you're enjoying your spring, and I hope this note makes it just a little bit better – because starting in June, we're enhancing your Premier Silver membership with new benefits that we hope will make your technology buying experience that much better:

1. 60-day price-match and 60-day hassle-free returns We've doubled the length of your hassle-free returns and price match policies to 60 days to ensure your total satisfaction. We want to give you plenty of time to make the right decision on your purchases, and also make sure that you're getting your technology at the best prices. That's why we've extended your hassle-free returns and price match policies to 60 days to ensure your total satisfaction. 2. Free expedited shipping and free delivery Now when you order from BestBuy.com you'll get free expedited shipping and free delivery, so you will get your new technology in half the time as standard shipping. You can also get your purchases even sooner with same day in-store pick-up. 3. A free house call from Geek Squad Take advantage of one complimentary annual visit from our tech experts. They'll be there to help you solve one of your common technology issues, from computer tune-ups, to TV calibrations, to remote control programming. 4. Premier access to must-have new products and sales events As a Premier Silver member, you'll also receive premier access to some of the hottest new technologies and iconic sales events like Black Friday. 5. Free unlimited phone support You'll now receive unlimited access to our new 24/7 helpline to remedy any account or technology issue. No matter the time of night, how big or small your problem, our 866-RZ-PREMR helpline has your back.

I believe this is a great start to being more e-commerce friendly. However, this excludes the majority of their customers that don't spend a lot of money at Best Buy every year. For those that don't know, you need to spend $2,500 annually at Best Buy to retain Premier Silver status as a Reward Zone customer.

Marlins New Stadium: Great for South Florida

I was lucky enough to attend opening night for the 2012 MLB season at Marlins Park, the new Miami Marlins stadium. This stadium is well done, modern, has a lot of amenities. Not sure if I'm a fan of the art deco highlights or the flare of the stadium, but it's great to have real baseball park in South Florida. After attending enough Miami Heat games in the area I was dreading the mess that occurs when Miami drivers all attend the same function, in cars. Compared to leaving a Heat game, which normally takes about 45 minutes to get onto I-95, I was able to get onto the highway in 20 minutes. 

Even though I wanted my team to win, by inning 7 I was silently rooting to see a no hitter against them; however, this was stopped by Jose Reyes.

At the end of the night, I realized I had a great time. I certainly will come back, but the drive and parking associated with going will make me think twice.

Kevin Rose Engaged!

Kevin Rose, an American Internet entrepreneur who co-founded Revision3, Digg, Pownce, and Milk, got engaged last night in Tokyo, Japan. Kevin broke the news himself through Twitter. Saying "Under this tree I asked @summertomato to marry me, she said yes!!!!!!!!!!"

Congratulations to Kevin & summertomato!

Student Loan Debt = Not My Problem

So I read this article earlier and it really got me steaming. I'm young, educated, and make decent money. Not because anything was given to me. But because of the choices I made in life to get me where I wanted to be.

$25,000 is a small car loan. Easy to pay off. Students need to stop buying things they can't afford, such as all the latest Apple products, new cars, etc and then they can easily pay down their debt. Obviously, picking a degree such as art or sociology was wrong in the first place if you want to make money. Students who choose to go to art school or get a degree in acting or the humanities do this because they enjoy what they do. Nothing wrong with that. These students should understand, this is the choice they made. Students will not make any money going to school and graduating with degrees like this. If these students wanted to make money and live the good life, they got an education to allow them to do the following; accountant, engineer, doctor, lawyer, software programmer, project manager, etc.


$25,000 is an investment in the income a students degree. Which if they invest in something smart will allow them to make more money. $25,000 is more than enough to get an undergrad and an MBA at your local state college. Going out of state to college is a luxury, not a right.
Student Loan Rates to Double in June, from 3.4% to 6.8% | Moneyland | TIME.com:

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