I know Deke is trying not to comment much on healthcare issues since he outed himself and he does healthcare and pharma writing and I’m a-gonna try to refrain as well ‘cuz of that, but the poster below certainly should engender some thought regardless of which side of the issue you sit on:
I mean it can be argued convincingly that other nations have had problems with socialized medicine and we ain’t the only first world nation that goes on unnecessary warpaths but doesn’t it say something about us for being the lone holdout? I mean what’s up with that…and with us still rejecting the metric system too. Didn’t America learn how to play well with others in school?
Big, floppy pink hat tip to Kelly Belle at Ephatha blog (it’s in Deke’s sidebar over there on the right) for using the image so that I could go and spread it around here. Guess the original image came from a site called http://www.oldamericancentury.org which looks interesting.
Deacon Blue
Inda Pink
Holy Sh!+ from Deacon Blue 
This is why America gets a bad rap worldwide – I’m from Canada…which is kind of local. Because they are a very wealthy nation that is also very callous towards it’s poor. Healthcare being a prime example of one notion that is denied to some based on their economic standing. They then tyrade on American televison about how bad socialized medicine is without even trying it out. It’s basically party vs. party to control this topic – screw the citizens.
But what does it matter to me if America wants to continue this path exactly…I have socialized medicine that works for all and everyone…and yes it’s a type of ‘welfare’ – but why does ‘welfare’ become something bad? It’s downright charitable to help your neighbor when they struggle and you have the means to give (ie: I love giving taxes for such things).
I think America has a real problem on it’s hands – that stretches a hell of a lot farther back than anyone on this blog…greed. Ever since America was founded it’s been all about greed…the destrcution of minorities in the race for greed was part and parcel for the course…and still is. Now they aren’t taking Indian land or enslaving people – they go overseas for such action…in wars. This is based on greed and America having as much or more to keep a lifestyle that is very comfortable. I would say Canada is starting to lean in that direction as well.
Big question – what’s more important for America…money or people?
It hasn’t been about the people in a long while, and even when it was, that was what…maybe two or three points in “recent” history (20th & 21st century, that is) and for relatively short periods of time.
Money…and power…are the two things my nation has stood on too often, and for far too long.
Money…and power…are the two things my nation has stood on too often, and for far too long(Deacon)
In all fairness America isnt the only nation with this problem. We might have socialized healthcare but that doesnt mean our leaders arent controlled by corporations. I think that is a human issue and all nations suffer from that sickness to one degree or another. Its kinda like H1N1, some get really sick from it and others dont but it still affects the whole world.
😦
To be fair in my criticisms of my homeland, the United States (since my aim is not to self-depracatingly kiss up to the rest of the world or impress anyone with my disgust at the excesses of the U.S.), I know the illness is not confined to my borders.
But the Unites States has a heavier burden to bear in terms of guilt, responsbility, accountability, etc.
We use waaaay more resources than any other nation, far out of bounds with the size of our population. As a fairly young nation compared to most of the first world nations, we have achieved a level of influence, power and wealth that is extraordinary, and have done so both in honest ways and horrible ways. Fact is that often, the U.S. simply acts like a petulant brat…like some child star given too much money and freedom too early, and going off the deep end as it grows up, instead of maturing.