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Joined: Sep 2006
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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What if being a doctor didn't pay a decent living, so they all quit? What happens to your "right" then? I believe your only fundamental "right" is to take care of yourself as you see fit without interference from others. You don't have a "right" to anything I have to work and pay for! I'm very sorry if you can't afford what you need, but that's not my problem; it's yours. I need a $20,000 shotgun, but not at your expense. Highways and social security are not rights either. They are things that we as a society have AGREED to pay for collectively so we can all use/benefit from them. We, as a society already have too many things that we consider "rights" that are "needs", and sometimes just "wants" that someone else pays for. I would be more than happy to give up many of my so called "rights" in exchange for what they cost me and for the return of the control of my life.
LCSMITH
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,384 Likes: 106
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,384 Likes: 106 |
King, although the quality of the care certainly varied, we do need to remember that ALL Communist countries had both low unemployment and universal healthcare. K-12 education has always been free in the US. Also freer of propaganda than the education they get in Cuba.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,350
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,350 |
Americans will choose whether society has responsibility to others on healthcare, Mr. Frech, or whether it's every man for himself. That's part of the current great national debate in America, the first and for about a century the only modern liberal democracy. On this one, it may be fair to say that a narrow parochialism is holding back the republic's growth and may be fostering intolerance. I put my money on the republic; it gets it right over time.
Last edited by King Brown; 02/20/08 01:10 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 371
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 371 |
Mr. Brown, thanks again for your opinion of how we should run our country.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 362
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 362 |
Dev, Just make sure and mark your ballot correctly. Best, Ron
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What if being a doctor didn't pay a decent living, so they all quit? Haven't noticed any shortage of doctors in France or Italy or Spain or any of the other countries with universal health care. To the contrary, Canada, Italy, Germany and others have more doctors per capita than we do. Matter of fact, I have an MD friend who left the US to practice in Canada, saying it was less paperwork and hassle to get paid and he had more time to devote to patient care. But I bet they don't have as many health insurance and drug company execs making 7-figure salaries as we do. Here's an eye-opener for anyone struggling to pay medical bills or health insurance premiums: http://www.harp.org/hmoexecs.htm
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,350
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,350 |
Larry, on the propaganda, probably so, but propaganda also blinds us from learning from other nations. Canadians think they have the best health system in the world, as most Americans may think of theirs. A distinguished panel appointed by our prime minister has revealed how we're being misled on Afghanistan. Canada could learn from Scandinavians, among the world's most productive economies who are working hard to limit poverty.
Other countries do better than Canada with environment and development of natural resources.On any terms, however, what Cuba has done in social reform over 50 years is remarkable. I was there at the time of the revolution, from one end to the other, in the Sierra Maestra, later at the Bay of Pigs one week before the invasion, interviewed Castro a couple times. He did what he told me he was going to do. Remarkable for a politician.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 659
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 659 |
I take exception to the comment that education is free from K-12. While there may not be tuition to government schools, they are far from free. Take a closer look at your tax bill next time.
The quote from the constitution is very accurate and true, but as I said, where do you draw the line? Some where some how someone has to have the balls to say NO MORE. When you mention the Euro countries and Cuba as examples, please be honest and accurate enough to tell us how much (as a percentage) they are paying in taxes as compared to us. Cuba, a strict Marxist, Communist state has all it can do to keep its people there..... Why are so many willing to risk their lives to get to the USA if is is so great there and sucks so bad there?
When I was on patrol on the Iron Curtain, I had more than one occasion to see qnd talk to people who risked electric fencing, dogs, armed guards, minefields and untold atrocities (If caught.... these atrocities would make waterboarding look like a weekend at Dismey) just to have a CHANCE to get to the USA. Ever wonder why that was, and still is, as witnessed by over 12 million ILLEGAL aliens not to mention countless LEGAL immigrants come here?
I guess they all want crappy health care and lower taxes........
Last edited by Steve Lawson; 02/20/08 05:02 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,155
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Joined: Jun 2002
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When you mention the Euro countries and Cuba as examples, please be honest and accurate enough to tell us how much (as a percentage) they are paying in taxes as compared to us. Please be honest and stay focused on health care cost, rather than burying it in general taxes (which pay farm subsidies, pensions, roads, etc.). It really doesn't matter whether it's paid in taxes or premiums or cash, the cost is what we're discussing. Americans pay more per capita for health care than anyone else in the world. Lots more. Almost twice as much as Europeans - and their health care systems are outperforming ours AND covering every citizen.
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Posts: 362
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 362 |
Steve, The country of Norway has a 60% (aprox.)overall tax. This includes as of two years ago a 23% national sales tax. Their gas is a little over $6.00 a gallon. Yes their medical is free and so is the dental, but at what cost. I admire them because it works for them. The country of Norway is about the same size as Montana. It would be hard to compare them to the entire United States. Even the EU has not attempted to standardize its members. They had a battle just getting to a common currency. We may not be perfect but we are free to choose and to vote on a regular basis. Takk, Ron
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