We love telling ourselves that we Americans are the "best" at innovation. Yet, when it comes to innovating a new way to cover all Americans, it's in this area that we suddenly "recognize" our apparent limitations. All of a sudden, after years of irresponsible spending on senseless military actions, pork barrel-spending, and constituent-supported tax-cuts, we worry about paying for a program, one whose need cannot be challenged.
Its our American arrogance which leads us to believe that we can't learn anything else from other countries when it comes to addressing the issue of health care coverage. Back in March of this year, CBS's Sunday Morning presented an illustration of how the French (yes, those "French"...the country that often finds itself the butt of American television late night comedians and of patriotic sitcom leads) deal with the high cost of health care treatment.
Watch CBS Videos Online
The French penchant for choking at times of conflict notwithstanding, give them credit for having the bravery to at least try to implement a way of addressing the need for health care for its citizens. It's easy to oppose universal health care or universally affordable health insurance while spouting pro-Free Market patriotic rhetoric when one can afford to pay his or her medical bills. But given the choice between potential financial ruin, and embracing the ideological rhetoric of those opposed to any form of universal health care, I'll wager that many Americans who can't afford health care coverage would gladly opt for a system of "Socialized" medicine similar to that which the French use.
We're not going to get out of addressing the rising cost of health care, nor are we going avoid trying to provide coverage for all Americans without spending any money. We are going to pay to cover our fellow uninsured Americans, whether through higher premiums, higher taxes, or higher service fees, all to cover charity care for the uninsured. It's time we got real and stop falling back on baseless fears of a "Socialism" Boogey Man.
Can't say I totally agree, but a great post nevertheless. A Liberal Libertarian!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I see, the "socialized medical" model has it all over what WE have.
ReplyDeleteThis is America, not Europe!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat people are tired of is the lies and misrepresentations coming from this "arrogant" administration. Further, the public is angry regarding "taxation without representation." The politicians in this country are not listen to their constituents. Not good in a democracy.
ReplyDeleteWhat you wrote is basically an "opinion" piece, devoid of evidence. Try checking the CBO for the bankrupting budget projections.
You love telling yourself that you are "beyond the political spectrum," however, you are merely espousing your own political agenda.
You fool no one but yourself.
Nice try, though.
Spoken like another angry white male who imagines an attack on his civil liberties. I guess you're going to love my next posting about why white males carry weapons at protest when THEIR civil liberties havent been under attack or suffered any credible threat since the War of 1812. LOL
ReplyDeleteWinfred Mann, it's a good guess you didn't think the previous adminstration was "arrogant" as it eroded civil liberties at home and violated the rights those who were renditioned without even a shred of proof; their only crime was being Muslim and a scapegoat for American fears. You right-wingers can see "Socialists" in pea spoup!
ReplyDelete“J’accuse, j’accuse,” the ranting continues.
ReplyDeleteSpoken like the racist that you are, Comrade. I guess you hate whitey, too.
I remember the days when it was "hit whitey, shove whitey, punch whitey," and I understand how racist and hateful people like you are. Go try to fool someone else.
BTW The video was a doctored tape; check your facts.
And typical of leftists' rants, you state only opinion, based on your prejudiced outlook.
"An opinion should be the result of thought, not a substitute for it." Mallet
It's absolutely comical how left-wingers become when right-leaning people perform some community organizing.
Did you ever serve in the military, Peace Core, Vista or other?
D- for your efforts.