Universal Health Care

[Heracles 417]

The one thing I hate about the public / private industry dealings is that in a free market society we do not know where a company will end up. Just the other day I heard how the company which manufactures magnets used in the guidance system of American missiles had been bought by the Chinese and has shifted production to China. To my surprise I heard this from Hillary. Not only is this a failure in the system but actually just another national joke. That China now manufacturers the components we use in our weapons.

Personally I think a lot of contracts being handed out to the private industry here have ended up being a disaster for the nation. So I am very skeptical of a private solution to the issue. Clearly in the above case the Chinese Military, once again, now has the upper hand on America and is using the free market and capitalism to their advantage. I know it is a little off topic but it does make you wonder what the hell is going on.

Edited April 16, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I also believe health care should be a right, not a privilege.

Let me ask you something. What else do you see as a "right"? A home? Food? A job? Clothes? If so do you think the government should also take care of that? At what point does a persons own responsibilities kick in?

Wow brother Gary, relax.

I do believe education and health are rights, of the most basic ones (not even talking about the REAL basics). When folks education and health are provided for, their job search and the clothing and housing of one's family is much better; as are their opportunities for improving ourselves and being contributing members of the society we are trying to improve. Having public education and health care does not mean we are fostering a culture of lazy b@stards: think of those folks who are working 2 jobs and still struggling to make ends meet because one family member suffers from insert chronic and debilitating illness here and the meds are over a thou a month, plus medical visits, labs, etc.... would you think they are lazy? How about the family who has 4 children, parents both work but they will have to choose which child gets educated at a higher level? Or, should they pay for college or pay their mortgage? And I am talking about the realities of the US middle class my friend, not about those in extreme poverty.

I am all about personal responsibility (taking care of a chronically ill relative myself); but I am also about social responsibility, and about governmental responsibility to provide ALL its citizens and residents with exactly the same tools for success. Not trap them in a no-win situation and then pretend it doesn't happen. The idea of folks dying -and they do my man, they do- because they cannot afford a visit to a medical professional is preposterous in my mind, specially in this country, which claims to be the most advanced and powerful country in the world (and is, in some areas).

I would much rather see my taxes go to education and health rather than corporate tax breaks and warfare. But that's just me, and since I am not a citizen, maybe in some folks minds' I don't count (not saying in yours).

Peace brother, Len.