Its Like They Want To Pretend Away The Past
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A writer on Redstate asks: “Who Should Have the Final Say About Your Medical Care: Your Doctor, or Government Bureaucrats?”
Of course, Republican members of the government showed no such reluctance to involve themselves in private medical affairs a few years ago:
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We’re 30th in life expectancy with what Glenn Beck calls “the best health care system in the world” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy
The government has been deciding our healthcare for years through the lining of their pockets by giant insurance conglomerates.
What Americans should be asking (and need to be asked) is
“Who Should Have the Final Say About Your Medical Care:”
The corporate insurance company that sees you as an expense to eliminate?
or
Your Doctor who is assured payment through your Congress Gold Star government insurance plan?
Yes, the GOP Congress dictating the fate of Shiavo was a disgrace. I am glad we can all agree on that. I guess we also then agree having the government dictate health outcomes is a bad thing?
“We’re 30th in life expectancy with what Glenn Beck calls “the best health care system in the world” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy”
The obvious solution then is to adopt the health care system of Macau, right?
I love it when people trot out life expectancy as a proxy for the effectiveness of one’s health care system.
The true effectiveness of a health care system is how well it does at treating illness and injuries. Now if Americans got ill and injured at the same rate as every other country then you might have a point, but I doubt that is the case.
This is an obvious point. Even countries with universal health care systems have different life expectancy outcomes.
I’m sure Oliver Willis is a great guy, but I really don’t want to be responsible for his health care.
Colin, you should be in the top 5, and that’s it. You could move yourself up 10 places by changing the statistical formulae, but that only puts you up to 20. I’m not agreeing with these plans, but rather saying that your point holds water only up to a point.
I guess we also then agree having the government dictate health outcomes is a bad thing?
You’re right. I’d much rather have an insurance company – that is actively trying to not give you the product you’re paying for – dictate health outcomes. What could go wrong?
This is an obvious point. Even countries with universal health care systems have different life expectancy outcomes.
Find a metric that shows America’s health care system is the bestest, like you guys keep insisting. I bet your metric is ‘vague free-market platitudes.’
Now we have corporate bureaucrats making the decisions.
That guy at RedState (Jeff Emanuel) is notorious for leaving out vital points.
Such as, in a recent post about torture in which he claimed to have endured worse as part of SERE training in the military, neglecting to mention that he a) volunteered, and b) knew that those conducting the “interrogations” weren’t going to take it too far.
I’m sure Oliver Willis is a great guy, but I really don’t want to be responsible for his health care
What, do you think you have to adopt him or something?
Give me a break.
I bet your metric is ‘vague free-market platitudes.’
I was in the middle of writing something about magic free-market fairy dust, but this line was so good I really had nothing to add.
Why haven’t nobody mentionned yet that saying that bureaucrats decide of patients’ treatment in public systems is an outright lie? Canadian doctors don’t have to ask permission to anyone before prescribing antibiotics! The hospital administration has to respond to the government, that’s administrator work. The doctors are trusted with doing doctor work.
“A writer on Redstate asks: ‘Who Should Have the Final Say About Your Medical Care: Your Doctor, or Government Bureaucrats?’”
Two points…
1.) Under the current system, the final say is held by corporate bureaucrats.
2.) In Canada my doctor and I have the final say, much more so than most Americans have.
Colin: “Yes, the GOP Congress dictating the fate of Shiavo was a disgrace. I am glad we can all agree on that. I guess we also then agree having the government dictate health outcomes is a bad thing?”
I’ll agree that that is a fucking stupid question to ask, as it has nothing to do with Universal Healthcare.
“The true effectiveness of a health care system is how well it does at treating illness and injuries. Now if Americans got ill and injured at the same rate as every other country then you might have a point, but I doubt that is the case.”
You doubt that it is the case? That’s your argument? ‘There might be mitigating circumstances.’ Come back when you have evidence.
“I’m sure Oliver Willis is a great guy, but I really don’t want to be responsible for his health care.”
And maybe he shouldn’t have to pay for the roads you use. We keep this up and eventually you turn the country into Somalia.
So, Colin, the new right wing troll, trots out several canards and an insult right off the bat. Nice touch. Classy.
So, Colin, are you a true believe, one of the faithful* that’s been conned or one of the cons that thinks a sly insult and some dishonest swipes at a very serious statistic, the US showing up behind 45 other countries for life expectancy (when you include the multiple ‘ties’) makes your false assertions believable?
So your argument is that the most expensive health care on the planet (America’s) which has US coming in 45th place for life expectancy (how long a person lives) is a good result?
Many right wingers are quite fine with lousy American health care, some were just suckered, but some are sociopaths to whom other people’s lives are meaningless. Which are you? Since you opened with an insult let me counter that it’s certainly possible that you’re both suckered and a sociopath.
But lets just go with suckered. That gives you the credit of being educable. Since life expectancy is meaningless, how about infant mortality?
The US places behind about 45 other countries on that scale as well.
Would you concede that at least all children’s health care up to the age of 25 or at least 18 should be covered? Or are you one of those, once out of the womb don’t give a damn about the breathing child, kind of right wingers?
How about the sheer cost of health care in the US as a percentage of GDP? Considering there are literally dozens of countries that get better results for less money, certainly a fiscally conservative right winger would be concerned about the exorbitant costs of health care considering we’re getting lousy results?
Seriously, shouldn’t we, if not as citizens be concerned about our life and general welfare, than as consumers shouldn’t we be concerned? Or are you one of the Enron fiscal conservatives that think Ponzi schemes are what health care should be made of? Once the health corps get their bucks, it’s okay to terminate care? That’s what they do you know, or haven’t you been paying attention?
How about a concern for our STRENGTH AS A NATION? I know a lot of right wingers are more loyal to their foreign corporations than they are of our beloved America, but we’ll assume that you love America even if it means you accept Americans dying at greater rates than, again, literally dozens of other countries.
Having a national health care plan is a competitive advantage that is a national strength for nearly every industrialized country on the planet. So, being an America lover you would certainly want US to equal that international competitive advantage, Right?
Certainly you don’t support foreign countries having a competitive advantage over US, do you? Or do you work for a profit before American infant’s mortality and American grandparent’s life span health corporation that’s based in a furrin country?
Colin, are you one of those right wing ‘love America’ until you find a good price to sell US out kind of Republicans? There’s certainly a LOT of those kind of Republicans in leadership positions, but, except for the secessionists, most Republicans have a genuine and commendable loyalty to America.
But back to the point.
As I’ve said before, we’re talking about INFANT MORTALITY AND LIFE EXPECTANCY.
Seriously, where is your conscience?
Clearly, Colin, you’re not a Christian. Any true Christian supports socialized medicine. After all, Christ was/is a liberal.
But it’s okay that you’re not a Christian, most liberals will accept you no matter what your religion is.
Though if you think it’s okay for babies to die young and grandparents to die early, well, there might be some liberals who might be deeply uncomfortable with that.
Any true fire and brimstone Christian should call you out as a serpent.
For the record, Collins, welcome to the discussion, hopefully your educable, but so far, my vote is you’re a serpent.
* the stars on the Republicans mascot, the elephant, are turned upside down like the devil’s goat head. There were a lot of people hoping the Republicans would turn those stars right side up once Republicans Bush and Cheney didn’t control the party. So far, they haven’t been turned right side up.
Should we assume that Republicans Bush and Cheney still control the Republican Party?
My interactions with American government (state and Federal) have consistently been more pleasant than my dealings with private insurance companies.
Not sure why and/or if this bugaboo is still so effective these days. Insurance companies are a huge pain in the ass to deal with. Stream-line it to paperwork between my doctor and my government insurance provider and my life would be a lot easier. And probably longer.
(I love it when wing-nuts’ heads explode and they try to argue that life expectancy by nation doesn’t matter. AND THE SKY ISN’T BLUE EITHER!!!)
“So, Colin, the new right wing troll, trots out several canards and an insult right off the bat. Nice touch. Classy.”
Seriously, show me a single insult or canard. Do you even know what a canard is?
“So, Colin, are you a true believe, one of the faithful* that’s been conned or one of the cons that thinks a sly insult and some dishonest swipes at a very serious statistic, the US showing up behind 45 other countries for life expectancy (when you include the multiple ‘ties’) makes your false assertions believable?”
Where is my false assertion? Did you even read what I wrote?
“So your argument is that the most expensive health care on the planet (America’s) which has US coming in 45th place for life expectancy (how long a person lives) is a good result?”
You are arguing with something I never said, which seems to be de rigeur around here.
“Many right wingers are quite fine with lousy American health care, some were just suckered, but some are sociopaths to whom other people’s lives are meaningless. Which are you? Since you opened with an insult let me counter that it’s certainly possible that you’re both suckered and a sociopath.”
Still curious about what that insult was.
“But lets just go with suckered. That gives you the credit of being educable. Since life expectancy is meaningless, how about infant mortality?
The US places behind about 45 other countries on that scale as well.
Would you concede that at least all children’s health care up to the age of 25 or at least 18 should be covered? Or are you one of those, once out of the womb don’t give a damn about the breathing child, kind of right wingers?”
I believe that people should take care of their health, and not just up to the age of 25. I think that parents should take care of their children’s health, just like they should clothe them, feed them and place a roof over their heads.
“How about the sheer cost of health care in the US as a percentage of GDP? Considering there are literally dozens of countries that get better results for less money, certainly a fiscally conservative right winger would be concerned about the exorbitant costs of health care considering we’re getting lousy results?”
I think that health care needs reform but I doubt that more government involvement is the answer. Humor me and make me a list of all the activities that government does better than the private sector. Not too long, is it?
“Seriously, shouldn’t we, if not as citizens be concerned about our life and general welfare, than as consumers shouldn’t we be concerned? Or are you one of the Enron fiscal conservatives that think Ponzi schemes are what health care should be made of? Once the health corps get their bucks, it’s okay to terminate care? That’s what they do you know, or haven’t you been paying attention?”
No, Ponzi schemes is what social security is made of. And I’ll be damned if I have the same people that have run that bankrupt program take over responsibility for my health care.
“How about a concern for our STRENGTH AS A NATION? I know a lot of right wingers are more loyal to their foreign corporations than they are of our beloved America, but we’ll assume that you love America even if it means you accept Americans dying at greater rates than, again, literally dozens of other countries.
Having a national health care plan is a competitive advantage that is a national strength for nearly every industrialized country on the planet. So, being an America lover you would certainly want US to equal that international competitive advantage, Right?
Certainly you don’t support foreign countries having a competitive advantage over US, do you? Or do you work for a profit before American infant’s mortality and American grandparent’s life span health corporation that’s based in a furrin country?”
You know what scares me about you lefties? It’s how gosh darn flag waving you all are. Bashing foreign companies, bashing imports of foreign oil, worrying about green jobs being created overseas, etc. Foreigners are cool, really. You don’t have to wrap yourself in the flag. But maybe I am just a bad American.
“Colin, are you one of those right wing ‘love America’ until you find a good price to sell US out kind of Republicans? There’s certainly a LOT of those kind of Republicans in leadership positions, but, except for the secessionists, most Republicans have a genuine and commendable loyalty to America.”
Jeez, there you go again with your rah-rah USA talk. I am a patriotic American, and I believe that dissent is the highest form of patriotism.
“But back to the point.
As I’ve said before, we’re talking about INFANT MORTALITY AND LIFE EXPECTANCY.
Seriously, where is your conscience?
Clearly, Colin, you’re not a Christian. Any true Christian supports socialized medicine. After all, Christ was/is a liberal.”
And when you’re not wrapping yourself in the flag you’re out evangelizing for Christ. I am scared of the kind of America you want to create. Next thing you are going to tell me that the planet is 6,000 years old.
“But it’s okay that you’re not a Christian, most liberals will accept you no matter what your religion is.”
HUGE sigh of relief.
“Though if you think it’s okay for babies to die young and grandparents to die early, well, there might be some liberals who might be deeply uncomfortable with that.”
Glad you were able to parse that out from my comments. I was scared that I would have to be more explicit about my desire to see babies and the elderly perish in the streets. Also, I want to end social security so that the retired can dine on dog food on a regular basis.
“For the record, Collins, welcome to the discussion, hopefully your educable, but so far, my vote is you’re a serpent.”
And I’M the one dishing out insults?
“* the stars on the Republicans mascot, the elephant, are turned upside down like the devil’s goat head.”
Yeah, I think I read that in The Da Vinci Code.
“You’re right. I’d much rather have an insurance company – that is actively trying to not give you the product you’re paying for – dictate health outcomes. What could go wrong?”
While I realize that it’s more fun to argue with what you wish I would have said, than what I actually said, I’m not going to let you.
I think it is ridiculous that every health care interaction in this country requires health insurance. You don’t have to use car insurance when you go to get the oil changed.
“Find a metric that shows America’s health care system is the bestest, like you guys keep insisting. I bet your metric is ‘vague free-market platitudes.’”
Again, while I realize that it is more fun to argue with what you wish I said, than what I actually said, I’m not going to let you.
I think that health care needs reform. I just don’t think that government — that paragon of virtue and efficiency — should take an ever larger role.
Shorter Colin: I don’t know any solution, but the dadburn Gummint ain’t it!
as for your list of things the Gummint does better:
National defense
My ancient computer keeps wackin’ out, but here’s more list items:
Road building
Bridge building
Space exploration
More list items:
Roads
Bridges
Space exploration
Air traffic control
Coast guarding
Crime prevention and investigation
Educating EVERYBODY, not just those who can afford private education
Enforcing contracts
Inspecting food processing facilities
Inspecting nuclear power plants
Providing clean water and sewer systems (it’s called “public health”)
Hmm…
online.wsj.com/article/SB123993462778328019.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Guess they don’t have this problem in Canada or England, where doctors probably don’t have the right to refuse to participate in government insurance programs…
J.
“Shorter Colin: I don’t know any solution, but the dadburn Gummint ain’t it!”
Shorter Bruce Henry: I’m going to move goalposts and argue that if Colin doesn’t provide a detailed alternative then he has no right to criticize us.
“as for your list of things the Gummint does better:
National defense
Space exploration
Roads
Bridges
Space exploration
Air traffic control
Coast guarding
Crime prevention and investigation
Educating EVERYBODY, not just those who can afford private education
Enforcing contracts
Inspecting food processing facilities
Inspecting nuclear power plants
Providing clean water and sewer systems (it’s called “public health”)”
Like I said, rather short list. And really, roads AND bridges? National defense AND coast guarding? Maybe you should have included culverts and defending airspace and tried to stretch the list a little longer.
Even then, at least a couple of these are, at best, debatable. For example privatized roads perform pretty well:
http://reason.tv/video/show/6.html
Canada has privatized air traffic control that many regard as superior to the US model — and we all want to copy the Canadians, right?
At least you concede that private schools are better than public schools, which is why I am sure you favor public financing for poor kids to attend private schools. It’s really sad how the Obama Administration is trying to take away those vouchers from underprivileged kids here in DC so that they can no longer attend the same school that Obama sends his own kids.
But hell, I’ll give you the rest. So how about let’s restrict government to those activities that it can do better than the private sector. Looks like there’s a lot of cutting to do!
“I’ll agree that that is a fucking stupid question to ask, as it has nothing to do with Universal Healthcare.”
It has everything to do with UC, as much as you would like to pretend that isn’t the case. Unless you think that with government run health care the government would have nothing do to with it.
“You doubt that it is the case? That’s your argument? ‘There might be mitigating circumstances.’ Come back when you have evidence.”
Yeah, I assumed that you had some critical thinking skills here — MY BAD. It is absolutely obvious that people don’t suffer illness and injury at the same rates everywhere. You think that maybe Russians have more liver problems than your average population? That widespread obesity in the US doesn’t have an impact? That Sweden deals with fewer crack babies than the US?
And for those that worship at the church of life expectancy as a proxy for health care system efficacy, what do you make of the fact that Americans have differing life expectancies depending on which state they live in?
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/sep2006/db20060913_099763.htm
The difference between the first place state (Hawaii) and last place (the nation’s capital) is EIGHT years. You think that socioeconomic factors just might play a role?
“And maybe he shouldn’t have to pay for the roads you use. We keep this up and eventually you turn the country into Somalia.”
Actually I am all for the roads idea. Fund roads entirely with gas taxes and tolls I say.
Is this the part where I say “keep this up and you’ll turn the country into the USSR”?
“What, do you think you have to adopt him or something?
Give me a break.”
Way to miss the point. Under socialized medicine my income is taxed from me to pay for the health care of others. Perhaps you ought to read up on the subject
Which is the point of taxes, silly.
Under socialized roadbuilding, my income is taxed in part to pay for roads I’ll never drive on. I don’t mind if it helps the economy, or reduces traffic congestion, since we’re, like, all part of the same COUNTRY.
Also, my income is taxed to pay for wars I’d prefer we didn’t fight, but we live in a REPRESENTATIVE democracy, so I don’t get to decide exactly how my income tax is spent. I just get a chance to vote on the Deciders every two years. As do you.
And my income is taxed to educate kids who aren’t mine. I’m fine with that. I like my country to have an educated workforce. Why do you hate America, Colon?
If my taxes were increased by the same as my family health insurance premiums, and my premiums went away, and ALL Americans got coverage, that’d be great. Why do you hate Americans, Colon?
Psst…I’m not serious about you hating your country, Colon. Don’t get offended.
You can call it moving goalposts if you like, but really, what is your alternative?
Since “Hillarycare” failed in the 90s, what has trickle-down healthcare done but worsen, in terms of both quality and cost? Where were we in the rankings in ’94, as opposed to today? And opposing universal healthcare will improve the situation exactly HOW?
Sorry for these consecutive posts, but just one more:
“Health insurance in a civilized society is a collective moral obligation, not a discretionary consumer good. It’s somewhat analogous to national defense — we strive to safeguard EVERYONE from the unpredictable consequences of an unforeseen tragedy, not just those who can find room in their household budgets to pony up for defense spending.”
Bruce Barry, a professor of management and sociology at Vanderbilt University
Emphasis is mine.
Under socialized medicine my income is taxed from me to pay for the health care of others.
My family paid $10,000 last year for health insurance, and we didn’t use it. So we paid all that money to treat other people, just like socialized medicine. How would paying the same amount in taxes change my finances?
When I was in the Army I served in a medical capacity. Do not try to tell me that this “government” health care that I helped provide wasn’t equal to any you can buy.
All right Colin, you free-market zombie. The World Health Organization last did international rankings for health care systems in 2000. Who do you suppose was first? No peeking now.
1) The French Socialists!
2) America because we’re the awesomest at everything!
3) Somalia because they have even LESS government and so are awesomer!
—
Answer: It was France. Clearly the WHO is a front for communists.
Colin, I hear Dubai is lovely this time of year.
“Which is the point of taxes, silly.”
The point of paying taxes is to provide for government services such as national defense that the private sector is incapable of providing.
“Under socialized roadbuilding, my income is taxed in part to pay for roads I’ll never drive on. I don’t mind if it helps the economy, or reduces traffic congestion, since we’re, like, all part of the same COUNTRY.”
Like I said, I’m against that too. I think that paying for roads should be limited to those that actually use them. The fact that I share the same passport with someone is irrelevant. But I guess I’m not the rah-rah USA type.
“Also, my income is taxed to pay for wars I’d prefer we didn’t fight, but we live in a REPRESENTATIVE democracy, so I don’t get to decide exactly how my income tax is spent. I just get a chance to vote on the Deciders every two years. As do you.”
Actually I live in DC so I don’t have a representative with voting power — Taxation Without Representation is what the license plates here all say. In any case, you’re right, we don’t get a chance to decide exactly how that money is spent, which is why I would like to keep the government and its expenditures as small as possible.
“And my income is taxed to educate kids who aren’t mine. I’m fine with that. I like my country to have an educated workforce. Why do you hate America, Colon?”
I’m not. I think that people should educate their own kids. Do you think we should clothe, feed and house those kids too? Is that all a collective responsibility? What about vacations to Disneyland? But hey, I hate America. And it’s “Colin” — but perhaps you are a product of public school?
“If my taxes were increased by the same as my family health insurance premiums, and my premiums went away, and ALL Americans got coverage, that’d be great. Why do you hate Americans, Colon?”
OK, I’m starting to catch on — let me see if I can play this game too: If the government runs health care then bureaucrats will decided who gets treated since resources are finite. Maybe they won’t pay for my 90 year old grandmother to get an operation because from an actuarial perspective it isn’t worth it. Why do you want my grandmother to die?
“Psst…I’m not serious about you hating your country, Colon. Don’t get offended.”
I’m more offended by your inability to spell. Should I chock that up to poor reading comprehension or a form of really weak smack talk?
Any why do you demand such allegiance to the country? Why are lefties such a bunch of nationalists? An enduring mystery.
“You can call it moving goalposts if you like, but really, what is your alternative?”
I would suggest this as a good starting point:
http://www.amazon.com/Cure-Capitalism-Save-American-Health/dp/1594031533
“My family paid $10,000 last year for health insurance, and we didn’t use it. So we paid all that money to treat other people, just like socialized medicine. How would paying the same amount in taxes change my finances?”
Well, your premise that you would pay the same amount in taxes is not at all clear. In any case, I would suggest that you switch providers if you don’t like your situation. That’s a freedom we lose when we have government as a monopoly provider.
“When I was in the Army I served in a medical capacity. Do not try to tell me that this “government” health care that I helped provide wasn’t equal to any you can buy.”
Interesting, my father served in the Army in a medical capacity as well, both as a dentist and OIC of a few dental clinics. Having seen government health care up front both as a provider and in management he is hugely against having the entire county operate on such a basis.
“Answer: It was France. Clearly the WHO is a front for communists.”
Well it’s settled then! But the UN ranked Norway as the most livable country in the world in 2006, so I am split on whether I should pack my bags for Paris or Oslo.
“Answer: It was France. Clearly the WHO is a front for communists.”
Well I guess it’s settled then! But the UN ranked Norway as the most livable country in the world in 2006, so I am split on whether I should pack my bags for Paris or Oslo.
“Colin, I hear Dubai is lovely this time of year.”
OK I’ll bite — what does this have to do with anything? Or do you have a penchant for spouting out random links?
“Answer: It was France. Clearly the WHO is a front for communists.”
Well I guess it’s settled then! But in 2006 the UN ranked Norway as the world’s most livable country, so I am torn on whether to pack my bags for Paris or Oslo.
Apologies for the double and triple posts — sometimes my posts show up immediately and sometimes I have no idea what happened.
Us knuckle draggers just isn’t that bright.
OK I’ll bite — what does this have to do with anything? Or do you have a penchant for spouting out random links?
On the contrary, it has EVERYTHING to do with what we’re talking about, or at least what you’re after. Dubai has no taxes, which is its major selling point, and is described as an “adult DisneyLand”. Basically, it’s Galt in real life.
Apologies for the double and triple posts — sometimes my posts show up immediately and sometimes I have no idea what happened.
It’s fine. Thought it does say at the bottom that comments may take a while to appear.
I would suggest that you switch providers if you don’t like your situation.
Right, because the Free Market provides the competition that keeps the prices down, so I have SO many choices that will save me SO much if I shop around among the two or three monopolies that own the market.
And what color is your sky?
Having seen government health care up front both as a provider and in management he is hugely against having the entire county operate on such a basis.
I don’t speak for his unit, but perhaps we had a more competent commanding officer.
If his unit didn’t provide top-nothch medical service, he should have
I can spell, Colon. I call you Colon because, judging by your posts, you are almost, but not quite, an asshole. Easy joke, right? I imagine you have a snarky comeback all saved up.
And you’re right, we should all homeschool our own kids. Whose wife has to work in order to achieve a middle-class lifestyle anyway? No REAL man, that’s for sure! I mean, every parent is completely qualified to educate their kids to compete in a 21st Century economy, right? Just let one wage-earner in every two wage-earner family quit his/her job and educate children. What could go wrong?
By the way, I promise I’ll look up “The Cure” at my local library next Saturday or Sunday. I’ll let you know, if you like, what I think.
Way to miss the point. Under socialized medicine my income is taxed from me to pay for the health care of others. Perhaps you ought to read up on the subject
It’s called “civilization.” Perhsps you ought to read up on it. It’s why every industrialized nation which can afford it has gone that route. All but one. Or perhaps we should shut down the VA? Dumbass.
“On the contrary, it has EVERYTHING to do with what we’re talking about, or at least what you’re after. Dubai has no taxes, which is its major selling point, and is described as an “adult DisneyLand”. Basically, it’s Galt in real life.”
Really, Galt land was run by a dictator Arab sheik? I’ll have to consult my copy of Atlas Shrugged again but I am pretty sure you are completely full of s***.
The UAE is ranked #54 of all the countries in the world in terms of economic freedom, not exactly a free market paradise.
http://www.heritage.org/Index/Ranking.aspx
You simply have no idea what you are talking about.
“Right, because the Free Market provides the competition that keeps the prices down, so I have SO many choices that will save me SO much if I shop around among the two or three monopolies that own the market.
And what color is your sky?”
Which is a profoundly good argument for free market reforms that will expand choice and competition. You do know that health care is an extremely regulated sector don’t you?
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=2466
And if you think your choices are miserable now, just wait until the government is the only game in town.
“I don’t speak for his unit, but perhaps we had a more competent commanding officer.
If his unit didn’t provide top-nothch medical service, he should have”
Actually his clinic was named the best in Europe under his command and he made O-6, so try again.
“I can spell, Colon. I call you Colon because, judging by your posts, you are almost, but not quite, an asshole. Easy joke, right? I imagine you have a snarky comeback all saved up.”
Oh gawd, now I get it — HILARIOUS! If we were in middle school everyone would be rolling.
“And you’re right, we should all homeschool our own kids. Whose wife has to work in order to achieve a middle-class lifestyle anyway? No REAL man, that’s for sure! I mean, every parent is completely qualified to educate their kids to compete in a 21st Century economy, right? Just let one wage-earner in every two wage-earner family quit his/her job and educate children. What could go wrong?”
Exactly. Just like every family clothes their kid by weaving shirts, feeds them by growing their own vegetables and builds their own houses.
You see, in the free market system you can exchange money with people for goods and services. One of the many services provided is education. You can send your kid to a school to be educated by others. I know it sounds miraculous but it’s true!
And why do those home schooled kids always clean up at the national spelling bee?
“It’s called “civilization.” Perhsps you ought to read up on it. It’s why every industrialized nation which can afford it has gone that route. All but one. Or perhaps we should shut down the VA? Dumbass.”
Ah, you’re equating civilization with government. There’s your mistake.
You guys might find this fascinating reading:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1169764/NHS-scandal-I-dentist–Now-aged-21-Ive-teeth-removed.html#
Civilization!