If nationalized health care is soooooo bad...

[Steven2006]

I don't want national healthcare for the same reasons mentioned here. But what I don't understand is why everyone says don't touch it. Why are the only options people want to discuss are do nothing or nationalize it? The system is a mess. If changes are not made it is only going to get worse. People need to demand some type of reform but as far as running it goes, it must be kept out of the governments hands.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

I don't want national healthcare for the same reasons mentioned here. But what I don't understand is why everyone says don't touch it. Why are the only options people want to discuss are do nothing or nationalize it? The system is a mess. If changes are not made it is only going to get worse. People need to demand some type of reform but as far as running it goes, it must be kept out of the governments hands.

Government is the only entity with the ability and authority to coerce companies to fix what is now a huge scam.

 

[Steven2006]

Government is the only entity with the ability and authority to coerce companies to fix what is now a huge scam.

I agree, that the government can (and needs to) be involved in the reform, but that doesn't mean the government must take over and run our healthcare. What we need is to look for and find a common ground rather than the all or nothing argument we have now. (not only here on this forum, but nationally as well)

 

[KenH]

Sure - but it's pretty consistent that those I know of who have national health care hate it.

Is this the majority of the people in those countries? Or a sizable minority? Or just a few?

 

[KenH]

Bean-counting bureaucrats are not desirable...but they are likely to be more competent that government bureaucrats

Why do you believe that corporate bureaucrats are more competent than government bureaucrats?

 

[KenH]

The same entity (government) that brought us Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital, the IRS, FEMA, and the US Congress...we're supposed to trust them with our healthcare?

I don't buy your argument that all government programs are incompetently run. How well a government program is run is dependent upon the competence of those running it, just as in the private sector.

 

[LadyEagle]

Name one federal government program that runs smoothly, efficiently, and competently without someone falling through the cracks or taking advantage of the system. You can't.

 

[rbell]

I don't buy your argument that all government programs are incompetently run. How well a government program is run is dependent upon the competence of those running it, just as in the private sector.

So...do you discount that Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital...an example of government-run healthcare...is a mis-managed shambles?

Another way to look at it:

Years ago, when I had Annuity Board health insurance (that's greek for "terrible health insurance"), they wouldn't cover immunizations for children (!). At the time, we were beyond broke. So, I went to the county health clinic to get shots for the kiddo. We were treated like garbage by a couple of the rudest people I've ever met. After being yelled at, and waiting an interminable time, (and watching one nurse go to the back to make out with boyfriend...instead of helping my kid), I left there with my kid. I went and sold plasma later to pay for immunizations at a real doctor's office...where I wasn't treated like yesterday's garbage. I said to myself, "God willing, never again will I subject my kids to that kind of mistreatment."

Where would you rather go, if you have the choice...to your local doctor's office, or the county health clinic?

 

[KenH]

LE, name one major program carried out in corporate America that runs smoothly, efficiently, and competently without someone falling through the cracks or taking advantage of the system. You can't.

 

[rbell]

Furthermore, Ken...a huge difference between the private sector and Government: The Private sector, if they so choose, can hire/fire/promote primarily on merit. The Government more often than private business does so based on the people group represented, favors owed, etc.

You're much more likely to see the cream rise to the top in private enterprise.

 

[rbell]

LE, name one major program carried out in corporate America that runs smoothly, efficiently, and competently without someone falling through the cracks or taking advantage of the system. You can't.

Come on, Ken, if you're expecting anyone in this imperfect world to bat a thousand, nothing will happen...government or not. Red herring.

Of course, you knew that.

 

[KenH]

So...do you discount that Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital...an example of government-run healthcare...is a mis-managed shambles?

No, I do not. Do you discount all of the examples we are all aware of mismanagement among corporate-run programs of various kinds?

 

[LadyEagle]

LE, name one major program carried out in corporate America that runs smoothly, efficiently, and competently without someone falling through the cracks or taking advantage of the system. You can't.

Microsoft.

 

[KenH]

Of course, you knew that.

But listening the praise the conservatives constantly heap upon laissez-faire capitalism I am not sure that conservatives knew that.

 

[KenH]

Microsoft.

Never heard of their Vista product, eh?

 

[rbell]

Never heard of their Vista product, eh?

Dang.

Had LE said, "Apple," Ken would have become a Repubican again.

 

[KenH]

Good one. :laugh:

 

[chuck2336]

Is this the view of the majority? Or a sizable minority? Or just a few?

This is EVERYBODY I talked to while there. No I did not take a nation wide poll or anything. But the fact remains if I talked to just one that is one more than you have spoken to or you would have mentioned it.

 

[KenH]

Entitlements on the back of an envelope

It's a very, very bad idea, chuck2336, to make public policy based on anecdotes.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

Microsoft is not a program being carried out by a company. It is a company, one with a multitude of problems.