U.S. workplace not family-oriented

[GaryC 7]

I really the set ups in some countries: free childcare France, cash sickness benefit and 3yr maternity leave (for women) Hungary, free healthcare in Canada. I am sure there are flaws in their systems too, but they sure sound nice!

Yes but it is paid for by huge taxes. It's the liberal/conservative thing again. Should the government tax the heck out of everyone and then provide a nanny state or should the government stay out of it and let the market work it out? IMO the former amounts to a socialistic government and I want that to never happen.

[DeadPoolX 9]

No such thing as "free healthcare." You pay for it in taxation and other fees. You just don't see the money drain as readily there as you do in the United States.

My fiancee is Canadian, and she's told me about the healthcare where she lives. She's been thinking about getting BlueCross BlueShield because her Canadian healthcare doesn't cover enough. So it's not all wonderful.

[Henia 11]

No such thing as "free healthcare." You pay for it in taxation and other fees. You just don't see the money drain as readily there as you do in the United States.

My fiancee is Canadian, and she's told me about the healthcare where she lives. She's been thinking about getting BlueCross BlueShield because her Canadian healthcare doesn't cover enough. So it's not all wonderful.

Like I said there probably are flaws, but they sure sound good

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

No such thing as "free healthcare." You pay for it in taxation and other fees. You just don't see the money drain as readily there as you do in the United States.

My fiancee is Canadian, and she's told me about the healthcare where she lives. She's been thinking about getting BlueCross BlueShield because her Canadian healthcare doesn't cover enough. So it's not all wonderful.

Make no mistake as to who pays the biggest bill for healthcare. It ain't any of the systems referred to a "socialist". It's the free market system here in the good ole' USofA that is the most expensive and most wasteful (in terms of overhead and red-tape against actual health care cost) in the world. And that is despite the fact that millions do not have access to adequate health care...

[GaryC 7]

No such thing as "free healthcare." You pay for it in taxation and other fees. You just don't see the money drain as readily there as you do in the United States.

My fiancee is Canadian, and she's told me about the healthcare where she lives. She's been thinking about getting BlueCross BlueShield because her Canadian healthcare doesn't cover enough. So it's not all wonderful.

Make no mistake as to who pays the biggest bill for healthcare. It ain't any of the systems referred to a "socialist". It's the free market system here in the good ole' USofA that is the most expensive and most wasteful (in terms of overhead and red-tape against actual health care cost) in the world. And that is despite the fact that millions do not have access to adequate health care...

I agree that our current way of doing things isn't perfect but national government run health care is far worse. A little like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

I ask you this. Look at any government program. It always started with the noblest of intentions but when the pin-heads in Washington (of both parties) got done with it there was massive waste, corruption and at some point it no longer works. Why give them this power?

[mawilson 2,133]

My company is very family-oriented. It's like one big family (of 2,000+ people.)

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

No such thing as "free healthcare." You pay for it in taxation and other fees. You just don't see the money drain as readily there as you do in the United States.

My fiancee is Canadian, and she's told me about the healthcare where she lives. She's been thinking about getting BlueCross BlueShield because her Canadian healthcare doesn't cover enough. So it's not all wonderful.

Make no mistake as to who pays the biggest bill for healthcare. It ain't any of the systems referred to a "socialist". It's the free market system here in the good ole' USofA that is the most expensive and most wasteful (in terms of overhead and red-tape against actual health care cost) in the world. And that is despite the fact that millions do not have access to adequate health care...

I agree that our current way of doing things isn't perfect but national government run health care is far worse. A little like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

I ask you this. Look at any government program. It always started with the noblest of intentions but when the pin-heads in Washington (of both parties) got done with it there was massive waste, corruption and at some point it no longer works. Why give them this power?

I agree as to the inefficiencies of government in many respects. However, when it comes to health care, there are government run programs in place today and they all, without exception, run more efficiently and with far less overhead and red-tape than any of the private programs out there. This holds true in international comparison as well. In a single payer environment, consumers tend to get more bang for their buck. I'm all for that. If the private industry would be able to provide more efficient services, I'd be a stern suopporter of private systems. But they failed. We gotta be able to recognize that failure and look for alternatives.

[Caladan 19]

I see universal health care coverage as a very positive, pro-business step, personally. C.'s Canadian, and he has had the flexibility, as a young man with no serious responsibilities, to switch careers easily, without worrying that his coverage will change. I'd expect that it would be easier to go into business for oneself if basic coverage weren't an issue.

[peezey 0]

US companies with 25 + & 50+ employees get major tax breaks, credits, and exemptions if employees take any kind of leave, benefits, 401k contributions, etc. You're kidding yourself if you think companies are benevolent in offering benefits.

Edited February 1, 2007 by peezey

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

I heard on the radio that companies in the UK are allowing days off to take care of sick pets. That is stretching it. I can imagine here in the states calling in for a paid day, because my dog has the farts. Difficult enough to call in when my kids have been ill.

hey my cat's coughing up a hairball, i gotta stay at home today

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I see universal health care coverage as a very positive, pro-business step, personally. C.'s Canadian, and he has had the flexibility, as a young man with no serious responsibilities, to switch careers easily, without worrying that his coverage will change. I'd expect that it would be easier to go into business for oneself if basic coverage weren't an issue.

Zackly!

[mawilson 2,133]

Work-life balance? What's that?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Work-life balance? What's that?

When you can honestly claim that you work to live rather than live to work.

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

Work-life balance? What's that?

i think that's something banned at work if i have time to have a life, i'm not working hard enough

[mawilson 2,133]

Work-life balance? What's that?

When you can honestly claim that you work to live rather than live to work.

Many people choose work over family.