Defending the Truth

Originally Posted by mytmouse57

Couldn't we have some sort of universal health care PLUS open-market, private health care for those who can afford it and wish to "shop around"?

Why does it have to be all one way or the other.

Originally Posted by garysher

It's interesting to hear universal health care referred to as "socialised" healthcare.

That word strikes terror into the hearts of most Americans - even though most of them don't understand what it means and don't seem to object when they drop off their little pumpkins at the "socialised' school every day.

Speaking as someone who grew up in a heavily Socialist country, the UK, I oppose socialism in general and support capitalism.

But healthcare is different because the element of choice that is essential to a true market, doesn't exist.

Nobody chooses poor health. Nobody chooses to be diabetic, or to have an accident.

I think universal healthcare is the only fair solution. You can guarantee everyone will complain about it, as they do about the NHS in Britain, but at least it's there when you need it.

When I lived in the UK I had private insurance as well, just as I have sent my children to private schools in America. It's my choice and if I can afford it I'll do it.

I feel no resentment about the fact I still contributed toward the NHS or to public schools here. But I think it's terrible when people have to sell their homes or become bankrupt to pay for healthcare, when the illness wasn't their choice.

And the way health insurance companies play with peoples' lives in America is scandalous.

Originally Posted by tadpole256

I finally did it... I sat down and watched Sicko. And I have to admit it was an excellent film, and Moore made a lot of good points. He has a real way of tugging on the old heart strings (he has a lot of blue-collar appeal). I think it is appalling, the condition our health care system is in, and I am shocked by some of the practices uncovered.

The only part of the movie I am against is the idea of socialized health care. As a Free Market Libertarian, and a believer in the teachings of Adam Smith, I have to say that I believe the free market stirs innovation, and quality of service. Speaking of someone who is a part of a socialized health care system (Tricare), I can tell you it has lots of problems.

I think health insurance should be purchased like car insurance, with rates that are regulated, and perhaps supplemented (only for the impoverished) by the government.

This way, someone who is young and healthy, who is most concerned with saving money (such as myself) could purchase a "bare-bones" plan that covers emergencies, and pay a minimal amount, but those with more needs or concerns (like people with children, or who are worried more about their health) could pay a little more for more extensive coverage.

The government could set regulations saying that all people had to be insured, and that an insurance company could not turn anyone away. And we could set a regulation saying what is and is not "necessary" medical treatment. Basically, you could set-up something to the effect of three doctors from three different systems being required to determine if a procedure was not necessary or not...

My primary concern with a socialized system has nothing to do with the dramatic imagery of socialism, but rather with the inevitable poor quality of anything run by the government. And also the fact that it will raise taxes (unless we take the funds from somewhere else, like maybe the illegal war).

I think of it this way... China (Socialist) and Japan (Free Market) both manufacture many goods. One makes them at a high quality and a reasonable price, and one makes crap.

The Soviet Union (Socialist) and the United States (Capatalist), same scenario... I have seen many Soviet products... They were all crap. They all looked like chintzy knock-offs of American products...

Originally Posted by billybobama

I find your post funny. I wonder how it would have read if you could noy get Health Insurance period?

Originally Posted by RidinHighSpeeds

Looks like you will not have the option of posting here anymore...too bad.

Originally Posted by Katczinsky

I wasn't aware of anything in his post that would warrant a bannable offense?