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Old     (westsidarider)      Join Date: Feb 2003       11-18-2013, 9:06 AM Reply   
A little Monday morning no so funny humor for you guys. Saw this on Lat G.

The U.S. government has just passed a new law called: "The affordable boat act" declaring that every citizen MUST purchase a new boat, by April 2014.
These "affordable" boats will cost an average of $54,000-$155,000 each.
This does not include taxes, trailers, towing fees, licensing and registration fees, fuel, docking and storage fees, maintenance or repair costs.

This law has been passed, because until now, typically only wealthy and financially responsible people have been able to purchase boats. This new laws ensures that every American can now have a "affordable" boat of their own, because everyone is "entitled" to a new boat. If you purchase your boat before the end of the year, you will receive 4 "free" life jackets; not including monthly usage fees.

In order to make sure everyone purchases an affordable boat, the costs of owning a boat will increase on average of 250-400% per year. This way, wealthy people will pay more for something that other people don't want or can't afford to maintain. But to be fair, people who can't afford to maintain their boat will be regularly fined and children (under the age of 26) can use their parents boats to party on until they turn 27; then must purchase their own boat.

If you already have a boat, you can keep yours (just kidding; no you can't). If you don't want or don't need a boat, you are required to buy one anyhow. If you refuse to buy one or can't afford one, you will be regularly fined
$800 until you purchase one or face imprisonment.

Failure to use the boat will also result in fines. People living in the desert; ghettos; inner cities or areas with no access to lakes are not exempt. Age, motion sickness, experience, knowledge nor lack of desire are acceptable excuses for not using your boat.

A government review board (that doesn't know the difference between the port starboard or stern of a boat) will decide everything, including; when, where, how often and for what purposes you can use your boat along with how many people can ride your boat and determine if one is too old or healthy enough to be able to use their boat. They will also decide if your boat has out lived its usefulness or if you must purchase specific accessories,(like a $500 compass) or a newer and more expensive boat.

Those that can afford yachts will be required to do so...it's only fair.
The government will also decide the name for each boat. Failure to comply with these rules will result in fines and possible imprisonment.

Government officials are exempt from this new law. If they want a boat, they and their families can obtain boats free, at the expense of tax payers.
Unions, bankers and mega companies with large political affiliations ($$$) are also exempt.

If the government can force you to buy health care, they can force you to buy a boat....or ANYTHING else..


Yea...it's that stupid...
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       11-18-2013, 11:02 AM Reply   
That's awesome. What is Lat G?
Old     (jhartt3)      Join Date: Jan 2012       11-18-2013, 11:21 AM Reply   
yeah i saw this a couple weeks ago in an email.... just fantastic.
Old     (westsidarider)      Join Date: Feb 2003       11-18-2013, 1:14 PM Reply   
It's a car forum @wakeworld. Lateral G
Old     (SS_Hooke102)      Join Date: Sep 2011       11-18-2013, 1:14 PM Reply   
shocking similarities!
Old     (ers906)      Join Date: Feb 2010       11-18-2013, 2:01 PM Reply   
You forgot the part that the government decides if the boat which you currently own is "good enough" to be considered a boat, which if not, they will "cancel" your boat and make you buy another, more expensive one. Furthermore, it will be required to have specific features, i.e., salt-water flush systems, etc, even if you live 1000s of miles away from the ocean
Old     (onthecreek)      Join Date: Apr 2013       11-18-2013, 2:35 PM Reply   
"if you like your boat, you can keep your boat"
Old     (ers906)      Join Date: Feb 2010       11-18-2013, 2:59 PM Reply   
***Unless your boat does not conform to our version of what a boat should be, then we will wait until you have that boat no longer and tell you that it was going to be acceptable for the time being. At this point, you can not longer get your boat back and legally are forced to buy a much more expensive boat which does not function near as well for you or your family
Old     (TerryR)      Join Date: Aug 2010       11-18-2013, 3:32 PM Reply   
You will only have to get a new boat if the government deems your boat to be sub standard-even if its perfect for you- or if you have made changes to your boat since the law was passed.
Old     (baitkiller)      Join Date: Jan 2010       11-18-2013, 4:37 PM Reply   
Im gonna throw up.
Old     (durty_curt)      Join Date: Apr 2008       11-18-2013, 4:39 PM Reply   
perfect analogy!
Old     (brichter14)      Join Date: Jul 2010       11-18-2013, 7:24 PM Reply   
Even though i dont necessarily agree with the aha ill defend it against this argument because i am a government teacher and like to bring both sides of an argument to a discussion. Unlike health care, boats are not a necessity. Therefore the argument is moot.

Lets say the government is now going to require that we all have food. If you dont have the right food, you must buy better food. But what If you like the food you have and you think it is good enough? If it is making you fat and unhealthy, you still cant keep it because then all other people will have to pay to take care of your fat ass cuz you dont have insurance.
Old     (LYNRDSKYNRD)      Join Date: Sep 2012       11-18-2013, 9:10 PM Reply   
Took longer than I thought it would for a buzz kill to show up in this thread.



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Old     (lifetimewarranty)      Join Date: Oct 2008       11-19-2013, 10:04 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by brichter14 View Post
i am a government teacher and like to bring both sides of an argument to a discussion.
Sure. Sure you do. I'll bet you do that for both sides in your classroom all the time


Quote:
Originally Posted by brichter14 View Post
Unlike health care, boats are not a necessity. Therefore the argument is moot.
Boats are not a necessity...Thanks Captain Obvious.
Really? Healthcare is a necessity? My doctor is basically a drug dealer and completely useless. My wife has been better treated through holistic practices when diagnosing a thyroid issue. I don't think I saw a doctor between the time I was 18 and 32.


Quote:
Originally Posted by brichter14 View Post
Lets say the government is now going to require that we all have food. If you dont have the right food, you must buy better food. But what If you like the food you have and you think it is good enough? If it is making you fat and unhealthy, you still cant keep it because then all other people will have to pay to take care of your fat ass cuz you dont have insurance.
Typical left wing bs. Here is your future with that policy:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ens-lunch.html

Yep...that family is just a bunch of fat azz's huh.

Government knows best...yeah right.


So what is a necessity? A house? Why not? A cell phone? of course we have free health care, food, hey - how about a gym membership cause that is part of being healthy? Free internet so we can study how to be healthy right? Free TV cause of all the health programs, food channel, etc...I'd like free mountain bikes and running shoes also. And really, what is better than wakeboarding for exercise? That brings us back to free boats and boards!!!
Old     (boardjnky4)      Join Date: Dec 2011       11-19-2013, 10:11 AM Reply   
Life is an arguable necessity, and getting healthcare to stay alive is a necessity. This is why we have hospitals and that's why hospitals are required to stabilize any critical care patient that comes through the door. That has always been the law.

Health insurance coverage is NOT a necessity. You do not NEED insurance to get healthcare. You should have the CHOICE and FREEDOM to pay out of pocket.
Old     (steezyshots)      Join Date: Feb 2008       11-19-2013, 10:37 AM Reply   
One could argue that a boat is a necessity, The enjoyment a boat brings fosters healthier children and stronger family bonds.
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       11-19-2013, 10:39 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifetimewarranty View Post
so what is a necessity? A house? Why not? A cell phone? Of course we have free health care, food, hey - how about a gym membership cause that is part of being healthy? Free internet so we can study how to be healthy right? Free tv cause of all the health programs, food channel, etc...i'd like free mountain bikes and running shoes also. And really, what is better than wakeboarding for exercise? That brings us back to free boats and boards!!!
awesomely put! :d
Old     (ttrigo)      Join Date: Dec 2004       11-19-2013, 10:47 AM Reply   
But why do the hospitals keeping treating those who walk in without critical care needs? They treat every person that comes in, regardless of their ability to pay, insurance coverage, citizenship, etc. that's the thing that pisses me off the most. Who needs health insurance, when you can treated for free at your local hospital?
I'm so sick of physicians just treating symptons, and not giving a crap about the root cause of your problem. "Here's a prescription for an antibiotic, which will build your antibodies up, so when you actually need this particular antibiotic, you're screwed". "Here's a prescription for Vicodin for your back problems. I dont know what's causing them, but this Vicodin will help".
Sorry, a little rant.

I loved the original post!
Old     (magicr)      Join Date: May 2004       11-19-2013, 11:12 AM Reply   
Quote:
Really? Healthcare is a necessity? My doctor is basically a drug dealer and completely useless. My wife has been better treated through holistic practices when diagnosing a thyroid issue. I don't think I saw a doctor between the time I was 18 and 32.
Bravo for you. My super healthy 21 year old had a simple appendectomy performed this last Summer $13000, the Summer before that reconstructive ACL surgery. I'm getting tired of paying exorbitant prices for people who are uninsured and treat the ER like their primary care physician.

Start saving your nickels when the un-expected happens.
Old     (ord27)      Join Date: Oct 2005       11-19-2013, 11:43 AM Reply   
and....
for those few of you that are in favor of this horrible law, how do you justify all of those that are exempt?
I have yet to hear someone successfully defend that............
Old     (wake77)      Join Date: Jan 2009       11-19-2013, 5:24 PM Reply   
Tim, great ad hominem post.

Person A (Ben R.) makes a claim.
Person B (Tim C.) makes attack on Person A.
Therefore, Person A's claim must be false (see David William's post after Tim C.'s post).
Old     (wake77)      Join Date: Jan 2009       11-19-2013, 5:25 PM Reply   
Train, your answer is that we have a broken system, although GOP lawmakers keep repeating that we had the best healthcare system in the world.
Old     (ttrigo)      Join Date: Dec 2004       11-19-2013, 5:35 PM Reply   
We did have the best system in the world. Like 30 years ago. That was long before our hospitals were flooded with people who decided that the common cold could be treated for free in the emergency rooms. Those hospitals then decided that someone had to pay for all these people who are getting free care. Then big pharma showed up. Then regular family physicians and other docs started getting sued left and right for both real, and frivolous lawsuits.
And now we are here. We live in a use happy society, where a minority of the population covers the everyday costs for a large majority of the people living in the US. Both legal, and illegal.
The hospitals should be able to turn away those who are not needed to be seen for anything other than a critical care need. Or if they choose to treat them, they need to eat the costs.
It's a frigging joke, and since our govt is the one trying to solve the problem, it's only gonna get worsen how many millions or billions of tax dollars were wasted building the healthcare website that didn't even work? I'd be willing to bet there are people on WW who could have built the site, and it would have worked flawlessly.
Old     (fly135)      Join Date: Jun 2004       11-19-2013, 7:44 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by ord27 View Post
and....
for those few of you that are in favor of this horrible law, how do you justify all of those that are exempt?
I have yet to hear someone successfully defend that............
The same way we justified giving all the govt tax dollars to HI companies for decades. The same way we justified allowing people who's employers helped them buy HI with pretax dollars, but required those with no health plan to buy with after tax dollars for decades.. We justify it with nonsense and because the public doesn't care about things as it seems to benefit them. Even if only in the short run..
Old     (fly135)      Join Date: Jun 2004       11-19-2013, 7:48 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifetimewarranty View Post
Really? Healthcare is a necessity? My doctor is basically a drug dealer and completely useless. My wife has been better treated through holistic practices when diagnosing a thyroid issue. I don't think I saw a doctor between the time I was 18 and 32.
So I'm guessing that you wear a tag that says... "If I'm ever seriously injured get me to healing herb specialist".
Old     (deuce)      Join Date: Mar 2002       11-19-2013, 9:48 PM Reply   
Count me in the camp that everyone should have health care..... Just wanted that out there....

Carry on with your boat analogy.... Kinda like the analogy that those that don't have a boat, can take my boat('03 SAN)....but, no....that's cheap now(relatively speaking), so they just take out the G25, they don't own a boat....so they use the most expensive boat available, but the owners have to pay for the use/damage.....
Old     (Laker1234)      Join Date: Mar 2010       11-19-2013, 9:52 PM Reply   
Great leadership is at work here. Can't you see that? "Woman Who Obama Cited as Obamacare Success Story Now Says She Can’t Afford Health Coverage" http://reason.com/blog/2013/11/19/wo...bamacare-succe
Old     (psudy)      Join Date: Dec 2003       11-20-2013, 7:30 AM Reply   
Hospitals do eat the costs of treating people without insurance if they don't pay. that's why bed pans cost $100. Rooms $3K etc.....then it snowballs.
Old     (ord27)      Join Date: Oct 2005       11-20-2013, 8:27 AM Reply   
I still haven't heard a good defense for all of the exemptions..........
Old     (fly135)      Join Date: Jun 2004       11-20-2013, 8:52 AM Reply   
That's my point. There is no excuse for unequal treatment but it's been done for decades because somebody with influence is benefiting from it. The HI/HC industry benefits from people between forced to choose between the high price of HI and losing tax dollars and employers contributions if they don't take it. They really don't even have to make a choice because most aren't even aware how much their HI costs or how much of it is payed by their employer and the govt.

All that govt directed revenue into HI has caused excessive inflation and made HC an ever increasingly exclusive club. So no big surprise when the masses get behind the idea of universal HC.
Old     (ers906)      Join Date: Feb 2010       11-20-2013, 9:41 AM Reply   
Without tort reform or insurance being able to cross state lines, this is all just a smoke and mirrors illusion. Yes, people will now have a piece of paper which states that they have insurance. Big deal if the doctors do not accept it. Obama's next move will likely be to force the physical co-ops to accept the "government mandated" insurance, which is not only illegal, but will force the medical profession into a cash only enterprise. Then see what happens, we will all be screwed. I do believe that medical reform is a necessity, however, this is not the way. As a single, 38 year old male who does not smoke and has not children, why should I have to purchase a policy that includes maternity, paternity, mental health coverage etc. While I agree that there should be minimal standards (i.e. critical care coverage, drug coverage, no exclusion of pre-existing diseases, no caps on illnesses covered by the plan, etc) to health plans, the requirements as they stand now are insane. I will post an apology after the next mammogram I require….
Old     (DenverRider)      Join Date: Feb 2013       11-20-2013, 9:44 AM Reply   
The reason for the exemptions is because we have to pick up the tab for employers who insist on paying their employees so little that they can't afford insurance. Without the exemptions minimum wage would need to be $30 per hour (before inflation). Since the government always supports business owners first, we have to pick up the tab for businesses that won't pay a livable wage. Without the exemptions general inflation jumps at the same rate that hospital expenses have jumped because wages need to increase at the rate of health care. It's that simple Cliff. I know you support an underclass or working class that you can crap on Cliff. Kind of like the caste system in India where people are considered so low that they can't ever move out of their sub human class. It makes you feel superior. You deserve more because you work harder than a roofer. Except you don't work harder than a roofer. Very few people do. You only work smarter. People who aren't smart enough to be more than a roofer certainly don't deserve as much as a more valuable contributor of intelligence. The difference shouldn't be so great that one worker lives in squallier while others live beyond luxury. It's that simple Cliff.
Old     (LYNRDSKYNRD)      Join Date: Sep 2012       11-20-2013, 9:59 AM Reply   
Okay why don't the politicians that wrote the law sign up?


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Old     (ers906)      Join Date: Feb 2010       11-20-2013, 10:02 AM Reply   
Eric (DenverRider), I agree on why there are the exemptions, but with companies cutting the work week to below 30 hours (thereby part time) they are making a mockery of the system and the intent of Obamacare. Instead, fix the broken system rather than exempt companies out of it. Take the $ from the exemptions and fund greater programs of drug research (without allowing the drug companies to take all the profits once the patent is made). If a company takes government grant 4, then that company makes the newly discovered drugs affordable. Decrease the drug patent from >10 years (not sure exactly how long it is currently) to five years. Do not allow frivolous lawsuits. Make lawyers accountable for the filing of said suits, if they knowingly file a suit that has not merit then they have to go through disbarment hearings. As malpractice claims increase because of an influx of new patients, so does the insurance to cover those claims, whether they are with or without merit. The cost of the insurance for the doctors gets passed directly to the consumer, as in any profession, and as it should be. If steps are taken to minimize frivolous claims, then the cost of practice will decrease, thereby decreasing the cost of health care. But unfortunately, this system that has been forced upon us (or at least the 50%+ that does not agree with it) is doing nothing to fix the "broken" system that people talk about, thereby, the system will just continue to crumble under its own weight. (sorry about the ramble, at work and don't have the time to form a more coherent paragraph)
Old     (fly135)      Join Date: Jun 2004       11-20-2013, 10:20 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by LYNRDSKYNRD View Post
Okay why don't the politicians that wrote the law sign up?
For the same reason I don't sign up. There is about a 40% reduction in tax burden by getting HI through my employer.
Old     (lifetimewarranty)      Join Date: Oct 2008       11-20-2013, 3:47 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by wake77 View Post
Tim, great ad hominem post.
Thanks Jeremy!
I noticed you didn't mention the family that got fined for not giving their kids Ritz crackers...LOL

Quote:
Originally Posted by fly135 View Post
So I'm guessing that you wear a tag that says... "If I'm ever seriously injured get me to healing herb specialist".
No John. That is what free emergency rooms are for.
Actually, I have a tag that says donor. Take what you want.

I'd say, though, that the other reason the politicians don't sign up for it is they are not going to be in the same pool as us lemmings. They are better and more important than us.

This is one area those of us that are completely against the whole thing would start to come around. If it really is for everyone...then it should be for everyone. If it is that good then the guy at the top should be the first to sign up his family. I'm pretty sure the Brits and Canadians (and probably a lot more) ALL have to be on the same plan - politicians, lawmakers, burger-flippers alike.
Old     (lifetimewarranty)      Join Date: Oct 2008       11-20-2013, 3:55 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by magicr View Post
Bravo for you. My super healthy 21 year old had a simple appendectomy performed this last Summer $13000, the Summer before that reconstructive ACL surgery. I'm getting tired of paying exorbitant prices for people who are uninsured and treat the ER like their primary care physician.

Start saving your nickels when the un-expected happens.

Scott - from what I read there I am positive we are in agreement.

You are preaching to the choir so to speak - at least to me. I grew up in Santa Barbara and am still in California so the whole "ER is your primary care physician" thing is something I've seen for my entire life...It has been very successful at closing hospitals in this state.
Old     (ATB0713)      Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Massachusetts       11-20-2013, 4:07 PM Reply   
whoa whoa i'm coming into this conversation way to late.....IS THIS A JOKE? "The Affordable Boat Act"???
Old     (fly135)      Join Date: Jun 2004       11-20-2013, 5:38 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifetimewarranty View Post
I'd say, though, that the other reason the politicians don't sign up for it is they are not going to be in the same pool as us lemmings. They are better and more important than us.
I'm more important too because I'm keeping my insurance at work.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lifetimewarranty View Post
This is one area those of us that are completely against the whole thing would start to come around. If it really is for everyone...then it should be for everyone. If it is that good then the guy at the top should be the first to sign up his family. I'm pretty sure the Brits and Canadians (and probably a lot more) ALL have to be on the same plan - politicians, lawmakers, burger-flippers alike.
I'm entirely with you. That's why I'm happy to see people lose their insurance at work. Not me of course. I'm not ready to join the masses until they get a little smarter.
Old     (wake77)      Join Date: Jan 2009       11-21-2013, 5:15 PM Reply   
I just saw a report on the news that the primary cause for exorbitant costs at the hospital (ER or inpatient) is because of the numbers of people not paying their bill. I just can't understand why the mandate is a bad idea (if everything else in the bill is awful).

Last edited by wake77; 11-21-2013 at 5:19 PM.
Old     (fly135)      Join Date: Jun 2004       11-21-2013, 8:22 PM Reply   
Given how prevalent it is for hospitals to bill exorbitant charges I'm not surprised that people don't pay. How often do you pay hundreds or thousands of dollars and not even see a receipt detailing what you bought? Doctors walk in your room to say hi and check your pulse just to bill. If you are uninsured you have to negotiate the bill. It's an adversarial relationship.
Old     (TerryR)      Join Date: Aug 2010       11-28-2013, 2:23 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by wake77 View Post
Tim, great ad hominem post).
If Jeremy rates your ad hominem post high, that is great praise. He is the champ.
Old     (TerryR)      Join Date: Aug 2010       11-28-2013, 3:45 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by wake77 View Post
Train, your answer is that we have a broken system, although GOP lawmakers keep repeating that we had the best healthcare system in the world.
Parts of our Health Care System was the best in the world. We routinely get joint replacements at a rate unmatched in the world and there are many procedures that bring people here from other nations.

The unpaid ER visits are a mess, I agree.

The problem with the ACA is that it was dishonest. We were told that if the government ran it, it would be cheaper. It wont be. It is losing support on the Dem side because the obvious has come to pass. Rates must go up to pay for the uninsurable. Dem Senators who are on shaky ground in terms of re election have broken ranks from B. Hussein-maybe 12.

The list of other problems is huge.

The law was meant to get health insurance for 15% of the citizens. Now, i hear that only about 3% 0f the people are in the group with pre existing conditions. The other 12 % consist of the young who don't think they need it and some other groups. Those youngsters aren't signing up. Why should they? They cant be refused with a pre existing condition. If they contract a major illness, they can sign up then.

Another huge problem is this bill attempts to restructure more than 1/5 0f our economy. The people trying to do it cant even design a web site. There are prolly 5 people on this site that could have done it. But, they don't work for the government and, nobody has really signed up yet because you need to pay before you're signed up. The part where you pay is not working.

Then there are the state sites that are up and running. Last time i saw Oregon's site 50K had signed up for medicaid but nobody had signed for ACA. Medicaid benefits have been expanded under ACA which costs us more money, but no additional money is coming in.

Reports are that at least 5% will loose there insurance policies this year. It seems that they are the ones that are bearing the entire bill for those expensive patients with pre existing conditions. Eventually we will all have our premiums adjusted to help pay. It will be a lot. I am sure our lagging economy, this is the wrong time to raise taxes on the poor and middle class. But this process has started and we must now find a way to fix it.

We were also told the bill was aimed at correcting the greedy insurance companies. There is a very convincing argument the bill contains bailout money for the insurance companies and this is actually a partnership between insurance companies and the government wherein the greedy insurance companies will make more money.

And, the B. Hussein's friends-unions and other supporters-are getting temporary reprieve. This unfair and irritating because it is so blatantly partisan. But it is temporary. The aca was designed for
an across the board tax increase that is not proportionate to our income. It will be felt most by the lower middle class.

I hear the complaint that GOP hasn't come up with "a plan". I don't think we need one big plan. Lets take baby steps and fix the issues. There are insurance plans with limits that allow persons to be dropped by the insurance co. after a certain amount of money is spent. The amount for local teachers is $1million. Many policies are less. The reason is the cost of premiums obviously, but it leaves patients with pre exiting conditions. We need to fix that. Perhaps those persons dropped by the insurance companies can be reintroduced to the market at a cost to taxpayers. But, those who had no insurance must be made to pay additional penalties for their reckless behavior.

Sorry for the rant but i had to stay up all nite. Too much 5 hour energy and monster.
Old     (fly135)      Join Date: Jun 2004       12-01-2013, 4:22 PM Reply   
The way I see it....

When we all lose our insurance through our employer, then we will all lose our tax deductions and forced incentives to buy, then we all can agree to make the govt remove the penalty, then we can all agree not to buy overpriced insurance. Until then I couldn't care less what happens to other people's premiums.

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