23-08-2009, 07:52 AM
I've been watching this hysteria from afar and I can only really wonder about the state of education in the US. They're talking about 'death panels' happening if Obama introduces the dreaded 'socialised medicine' without an ounce of irony as they don't seem to realise they .already have them there now. The life and death decisions that the Insurance Industry make over people's lives just because they cannot pay or the policy has run out or doesn't cover this or that and the insurance companies wont cover no matter what the human cost. Not their department. Plus the administration cost of private insurance are huge. There is marketing, junkets, billing and debt collection just for starters which don't need to be done in a universal system. Health care workers can just get on with their jobs and don't have to spend very much of their time doing admin either. Less overheads all round. Plus they only have to deal with humans in a health care setting -doctor/patient - and not a commercial setting doctor-accountant-lawyer-shopkeeper-debt collector-salesman/patient-late payer/poor person-forgetful-etc. Simplifies things all round and keeps the respect. Sick people have enough to deal with with out worrying about if they can afford to keep their health or are under threat of losing their home in a bankruptcy. It is obscene. In Australia before universal health the most common reason for personal bankruptcy was unpaid medical bills.
There is more than enough money for a universal heath system. They have thrown trillions at the banks and the military. They must be forced to put as much as you need aside for human beings and human life. I'd like to see that extended to all aspects of human need like education and housing and food but since it is on the table now start with the health care. And then don't let them take it away, and they will but at least half the battle will be won. When Americans see the change it will make in their lives they will not want to go back to the dark ages. If they want they can still pay for health insurance but why would you?
There is more than enough money for a universal heath system. They have thrown trillions at the banks and the military. They must be forced to put as much as you need aside for human beings and human life. I'd like to see that extended to all aspects of human need like education and housing and food but since it is on the table now start with the health care. And then don't let them take it away, and they will but at least half the battle will be won. When Americans see the change it will make in their lives they will not want to go back to the dark ages. If they want they can still pay for health insurance but why would you?
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.