If you could be self-employed what would you do for a living?

[Droopy]

I'm going to get a little political here, but I don't like posting in GDP and this is going to turn into a vanity post anyway. I hope you don't mind, loungers.

I've been looking at Hillary's and Obama's health care plans. For those of you who are not familiar with them here are some links.

A summary of Hillary's plan:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/healthcare/summary.aspx

A summary of Obama's plan:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

They look similar to me. Both would allow Americans to purchase health insurance at group rates through the same plans available to government employees. Those who still would not be able to afford their health insurance premiums would be able to opt into the existing public plans- Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP. Nobody would be denied coverage, not even those with pre-existing conditions. You would be able to keep your current plan if you choose. You will not lose your health insurance if you lose your job or switch employees. Hillary says she'll help fund her plan by repealing the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000 a year. Obama says his plan will make insurance premiums cheaper through increased competition in the health insurance industry.

Either plan looks really good to me. I have a mental illness that is very expensive to treat and the only reason I'm not self employed right now is because of that. So if Hillary or Obama wins the election and gets her or his health care plan passed, I will be able to live my dream of being self employed as will probably many other Americans. Neither plan is single payer, not for profit, universal health care, but they are both a good step in the right direction.

I've been a truck driver for 11 years and I'd like to step out of those big rigs and into a cargo van. I used to own my own truck and I talked to a guy who did expedited work with his own cargo van and he was making more money than me at the time. There are also a lot of hoops you have to jump through to be a truck driver and it's a real pain sometimes. I also wouldn't have to bust my ass unloading a trailer anymore. There is also a lot more freedom when you own a freight hauling vehicle. You can work as little or as much as you like as long as the bills are getting paid. When I owned a big truck before I would sometimes work for a month and a half then take two weeks off.

How would these health cares plans benefit you? Would you go into business for yourself? What would you do?

[pitohui]

1. i am self employed and it totally sucks

not being able to get health care/health insurance is the number one reason why it sucks, i always tell people, don't do this to your family if you have any choice then being self-employed is a major mistake -- but of course most people are self employed not because it's a dream but because they can't get a "real" job for decent pay, the higher rates of self employment among women and minorities compared to white guys who clog the real jobs with benefits says it all

i agree that hillary or obama's plans are a step forward, hell, ANYTHING is a step forward out of this nightmare

[Droopy]

2. Sorry to hear that, pitohui

I've been a trucker since I was 24 and I didn't have a good job before that. The best I could do was $7.50 an hour in a machine shop. When I was a self employed trucker I was 26-28 and I didn't even bother to try to find health insurance for a year and a half. I did finally get insurance, but the coverage sucked, it was expensive, and they kept jacking the premium up on me even though I wasn't even using the insurance. So I know where you are coming from. If you have the choice, will you continue to be self employed if we get national health care?

[geardaddy]

5. I'm with you, brother.

I'm self-employed and have to pay for my own health insurance--$450 a month, and the estimated taxes are a killer!

[Wcross]

10. We all have to pay in one way or another.

I pay 170 a month for a single policy through my employer. I have to put up with a job I really don't care for in order to get such a great "deal". I pay for my health insurance by selling my soul.

[raccoon]

7. Yeah, that sucks, and I feel your pain. Lots of employers nowadays, though,

don't offer insurance anyway. I haven't had group medical since early 1990's.

[BlueIris]

3. Famous Writer.

I'm working on it.

[Droopy]

4. Have you got anything in print now?

Poetry or prose? I know you like to post poetry here. Plug away!

[Bake]

6. I'd love to work at nothin' all day

And I'd be takin' care of business ... every day
Takin' care of business ... every way!

Bake

[BarenakedLady]

8. Artist

Art gallery owner? I dunno. :shrug:

[bif]

9. I'm a free-lance writer

It would be great if only I was making about 4 times as much as I do. The health care is a killer. Almost $1000 a month for a family of four.

[Auggie]

11. Been self-employed for 11 years

Paying about $250 a month in health insurance through a prudent buying plan with a high-deductable, so yes, any kind of health plan would be an improvement.

Suffered lay-offs twice when I worked full-time. At least this way I control my own destiny. And no asshole bosses to contend with.

Miss co-workers and miss the company-sponsored 401K (especially matching funds). But the business write-offs and freedom to play golf, bicycle and swim whenever I want makes up for it.

And there's no commute.