So...how 'bout that health care?

[Quark]

private healthcare is a cold soulless but efficient machine...there's gotta be some sort of balance somewhere to make it so health isn't a priviledge of the wealthy.

I don't know about efficient, unless you're referring to maximizing profits. You know what creates a balance? Competition. That's where the public option should have come in. But that could pave the way to actual reform, and the Democrats appear to be just fine with propping up their spineless bodies with stacks of lobbyist cash.

 

[Undrave]

I'd rather not comment on the SPECIFIC situation of your country since I don't have all the details. I'm just... waxing poetic on the subject so to speak.

 

[Lynxara]

Losing the public option was irritating. On the other hand, I'm not sure even Obama could sell a public option to a country as far-right (in global political terms) as the US.

Remember, Obama may be a liberal by US standards... but in most other countries, he'd be seen as a moderate conservative.

I do think passing any sort of HCR bill paves the way for a public option in the future, since people will get used to the idea of the government being involved in medical care.

That's the real roadblock to universal care in the US, IMO, people in this country just freak out at the idea of the government managing something it hasn't managed before.

 

[Tom Constantine]

Did you guys vote Obama in FOR CHANGE?

 

[Blue Saint]

That's the real roadblock to universal care in the US, IMO, people in this country just freak out at the idea of the government managing something it hasn't managed before.

I actually have my own theory, and it centers around the baby boomers. I am working on it as I go so bear with me. Basically it is an issue of perceived control. Under the old system the boomers had no actual control either but by it being a personal responsibility it gave a illusion no matter how tenuous that it was within their sphere of control. And this issue of perceived control is why that boomers are going to become much more reactionary in their politics siding with the older politicians from their generation, they would rather have some their age be in charge no matter their actual stance than hand it off to a younger generation. The issue of further government involvement in any matter has actually been interfered with by the government itself. In my eyes during the Cold War the American government did such a job of distancing itself from any Marxist elements or ideas that it left a good part of the generation in the dark about how much our government actually does for us. Which has lead to an entire nation demanding consistent or higher levels of services while in the same breathe demanding even lower taxes.

Anyway that was starting to get away from there so I will end. I was thinking of adding a bit on the nature of the 24 hour news cycle, but it would take longer then I would like to properly fit it in so I'll just drop it.

 

[MrMonk]

I don't know about efficient, unless you're referring to maximizing profits. You know what creates a balance? Competition. That's where the public option should have come in. But that could pave the way to actual reform, and the Democrats appear to be just fine with propping up their spineless bodies with stacks of lobbyist cash.

Democrats have always been ineffectual because they try to appear bipartisan. They compromise and compromise, until their finished product is far from what it could've been.

Remember, Obama may be a liberal by US standards... but in most other countries, he'd be seen as a moderate conservative.

Funny thing. That healthcare bill we just passed? Looks remarkably similar to the Republican counterbill to Clinton's plan in 1993. People say we're moving left, but in reality, we as a whole are actually moving farther right.

 

[Keith Justice]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pilG7PCV448[/ame]

 

[Quark]

Did you guys vote Obama in FOR CHANGE?

...M-maybe.

Funny thing. That healthcare bill we just passed? Looks remarkably similar to the Republican counterbill to Clinton's plan in 1993. People say we're moving left, but in reality, we as a whole are actually moving farther right.

That's what's so hilariously hypocritical about the Republican party. They will literally fight against what they believe in if it means taking down Big O. Not to mention the healthcare bill that none of them voted for had over 150 Republican amdendments added to it in the spirit of bi-partisanship. This bill was tailor made to make them happy, and they still stiffed the Democrats. Oy.

[hide]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pilG7PCV448[/hide]

Dance, puppets. Dance!

 

[Miaka975]

didn't want to post cuz i wanted to avoid confrontation XD (i actually had a bunch more typed up...then deleted ) buuuut i'll just post this:

hawaii has had a law in which employers were mandated to provide health insurance to full time workers since 1975 ...where the hell was the rest of the nation on this? -_-

read up on Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act of 1974 :3
http://healthcoveragehawaii.org/target/prepaid.html

 

[Quark]

Jon Stewart did a segment on that, it was hilarious. They got Dog the Bounty Hunter to endorse universal healthcare.