A Dragon in Sheep’s Clothing

Well, this is annoying.  Receipt for a used book I sold today at Amazon:
Buyer’s Price: $0.99
Shipping Credit: $3.99
Amazon Commission: $-2.49
Your Earnings: $2.49
How is it possible for Amazon to take a commission larger than the sale price?
I looked at the fine print, and here it is:
Amazon collects fees only when your item sells. At that time, [...]

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In a major breakthrough, union leaders bowed Thursday to White House demands for a new tax on high-cost insurance plans as part of landmark health care legislation taking final shape in intensive negotiations. “We are on the doorstep” of success, President Barack Obama said.
….The president has told lawmakers he wants the tax on high-cost plans [...]

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I know, I should be used to this by now. It never ceases to amuse/amaze me, though.
Makes a person want to read the original report for one’s self. Now there’s a novel idea — reading the direct report instead of relying on news outlets to interpret it!
Excerpt from The New York Times, “No Big Cost [...]

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In BBC’s coverage of the U.S. health bill promoted today, they say:
“It would also let the government sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions.”
I still think that a government run option may raise the prices of private insurers.
Want something better than the government plan? It’ll [...]

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