IMO healthcare is a RIGHT not an option. It isn't about compassion, it's about the rights of every American citizen to share and contribute to this country. We've spent the last 25 years dismantling the USA's cooperative system and look what this kind of dog-eat-dog, looking-out-for-number-1 corrupt capitalism has wrought.
We are running ever increasing trade deficits even in food. That means we are selling off this country because we cannot live within our means. That's the real Reagan-Bush legacy...the USA of Chrysler.
People have all kinds of unsupported ideas about 'capitalism' and 'socialism' and the like. The reality is that people get together because 2 people can produce the output working cooperatively that 3 or 4 might produce as individuals working alone. Cooperation, banding together, working together actually works for the human species.
The government needs to stop subsidizing the growing of things like corn for high fructose corn syrup, the promoting of sugary cereals and soda for children and fast food garbage for everyone. It needs to subsidize locally grown leafy green vegetables, beans and whole grains. Imagine how our health would change within a few years if this became a reality. Heck, tax white bread and white flour and sugar for a decade and see what happens to our eating patterns. We could reverse the diabetes problem and put a crimp into obesity.
We know WHAT to do, we just don't have the political will to do it.
We pay twice per capita what other industrialized nations pay for healthcare. Our results are worse in terms of longevity, infant mortality and the like than other industrialized nations.
Even if someone is a rightwing dog-eat-dog corrupt capitalist, those statistics are ridiculous and the healthcare industry should be booted out for one that actually works. I saw a recent news report that said hospital charges are completely ridiculous and full of errors.
If I remember correctly, some uninsured landscaper cut himself, received surgery and was presented a bill in the $20-$30K range. The bill was completely wrong, had all kinds of errors and over charges and his final bill came to about $7K.
I don't see why that hospital's employees and managers weren't charged with criminal theft and fraud. |
