Quote Originally Posted by fantassy
Let me start by saying I believe the US definitely needs health care reform - to be sure the ability to get low-cost prescription drugs is a major problem; however, it is a myth that you can't be poor and get health care in the US - the US has many programs to help the poor get health care: medicaid, medicare, state programs, walk into an emergency room, county programs, a friend of mine who chose to retire early (thus not eligible for medicare), had 401(k) )thus not eligible for medicaid) was able to receive receive free treatment for colon cancer thru gov program. What is true is that you may not be able to get the BEST healthcare available in the US if you're poor; however, that is true of many people in those countries who have a national healthcare system - they often cannot get healthcare in their counties comparable to the healthcare the wealthiest Americans have access to. That just seems to be a fact of life - being wealthy gets you more better stuff.

In addition Cariad, the example you cited seemed to support the proposition that this friend, in fact, did get the necessary health care. She had the right to choose better health care rather than owning a home. Not a fun choice, but a choice freely made. However, the US also provides some protections about owning a home which makes me wonder why your friend lost her home unless the hospital made her pre-pay which seems unlikely. Legally, one can run up a ton of medical bills, fail to pay them, and then file bankruptcy to make the bills go away and still keep one's house and other "exempt" assets.

Rabbit1,

I agree in theory that working to elect good officials is the best way to acheive reform, but I have gotten cynical over the years of watching Americans vote for the "more likeable" and "better financed" candidates rather than the smarter or more self-less candidates. How does one get attention paid to one's ideas if you don't have financing? Write an intelligent letter to the editor and no one pays attention. Burn a flag and all the major networks show. Sad but true.

fantassy


you are right about candidates getting attention ---but that is where we the people come in ---if enough of the complainers get out off their couch and start helping getting out the word about the right canidates then the money one spends is not so much an issue----and those same people can help raise money for the canidate they believe in ----you are right doing bad things get media atteniton ----you see militants in Iraq on TV---what you do not see is more than half are not from Iraq but from other countries there to stir things up and no let freedom in ---the main people of Iraq want this freedom --it is the other countries that do not want them to have it or it may spread to their country ---but you do not see that on TV or in the papers ---You just see what sells newspapers and gets rating ---I have family in Iraq and they believe in what is going on there ----I would rather believe them than the media

This should not even be a political issue ---congress voted on this ----for what ever reason ---now just because it is not going the way they thought it should ---everyone is backing off ---our troops did not ask to go ---they are serving their country ---as I and may other before me have----there is no way to win a political war----


But back to the point being cynical watching is a problem in it self---instead of watching ---why not get out there and do something----too many people watch and see things not go the right way instead of trying to steer it the right way ----yes I live in Florida the home of the recount---lol

when you see it not going the right way it is most likely too late ---and if you are busy trying to steer it the right way ---you will not have time to see it going wrong----in 66 days we have a mid term election here ----and as a rule it is the most under voted period in our system---get out and vote --pick up and take a friend with you----lend a ride to people who have transportation problems -----Talk about your canidate to others ----if you can help them raise money