Re: The Way We Were

In article
<2e3afcb7-bb1c-45a9-b157-4f2406cadb31@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Andre Lieven <andrelieven@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Jan 14, 10:11 am, "Grizzlie Antagonist" <lloydsofhanf...@xxxxxxxxx>
[...]
You know, one hears such silliness, from time to time, and the
real problem is the all too frequent USian practice of trying to
boil down all of a person's views into one descriptive political
box. This practice leads to, well, stupidity, as most people have
views that range further and wider than said boxes.

Interesting because you had supported Jill's contention to dump
Democrats and Republicans into one box.

For instance: I am sure that the Canadian health care system
beats big goats over the US system, *by the numbers*. Canada
does NOT spend 15-30% of it's spending on health on overhead.

Proof not offered. Claim fails!

Canadian health care: It's so good, it's worth waiting for (and waiting
and waiting... :-)

Besides that, there's also the apples and oranges comparison: Is Andre's
claims of efficiency based upon both systems side-by-side? I'll be the
first to agree that the SOCIALIST elements to the US System such as
Medicaid and Medicare as well as Trillions (whoops, got in trouble for
that, let's go with Billions) spent on (comparatively) fast care for
illegal aliens. In addition, there's the savings Canada enjoys on US
Pharmaceuticals. It's questionable that this could continue if the USA
engaged in similar negotiations since it would kill the golden goose so
to speak.

That said, I totally agree: Trash medicaid and medicare, decouple HMO's
from companies and make them individual payer therefore opening up
access to millions of the unemployed uninsured, make the plans and
expenses tax deductable, open up fees for public scrutiny and finally
(with all due respect GA), eliminate the class action loophole allowing
sleazy "trial lawyers" the ability to make millions from other people's
suffering (or alleged suffering.)

Just a few of those reforms would make US healthcare truly the best and
most efficient in the world and all without having to sell one's soul to
a government bureaucrat.

OTOH, I like the US practice of putting some contentious
political issues on the ballot, so that citizen voters ( A term I
would be happier if it were used even half the time that the
People are referred to as " consumers ". ) can have their own
say.

Do I like governments not spending more than they take in ?
Yes. Thats why I like Canada, now, over the US, now, as it
is *the US* that has left the path of fiscal conservatism and
prudence, not Canada. If theres one thing worse than a " tax
and spend liberal " ( And, there is ), its a " spend but refuse
to pay for it Republican ". ( I cannot call such a beast a
conservative, for it is not one. )

Once again, proof not offered. Claim fails!

Why is debt somehow worse than massive taxation? Are apples better than
oranges? Why, of course they are!

Oh, riddle me this, kiddies: What previous US President has
demanded tax *cuts* while fighting and funding a major war ?

Oh, Reagan (the cold-war was pretty serious), JFK, and maybe Eisenhower.

Exactly. None. Bush 2 is many things, but rational, informed
and a conservative are NOT among them.

If I, or GA, were wild fans of GW Bush you'd have a point. Of course,
how this argument makes a good case for the Dems he leaned towards and
scratched backs with fails completely. At least in the Republican party
there ARE conservatives. Not in the dumicrat party, though.

Reading Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich
Themselves at Government Expense (and StickYou with the
Bill) (Hardcover) by David Cay Johnston, would also help with
this topic.

Andre

Try this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Arguments-Writing-Reading-Effective/dp/032
1245105/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200366161&sr=8-1

regards,
PolishKnight
.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: The Way We Were
    ... Andre's politics are the closest. ... This practice leads to, well, stupidity, as most people have ... Thats why I like Canada, now, over the US, now, as it ... is *the US* that has left the path of fiscal conservatism and ...
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  • Re: Death Panels
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