Why are so many Americans unwilling to even consider socialized health care as a potential solution?
916941
Because my relatives in Canada tell me the horror stories of socialized medicine. My Cousin had to wait 4 months to have blood clots removed from his leg, then my Uncle had to wait 8 months to have a hernia repaired. No thanks, keep your socialism.
691023
What a great question!!\n\nOn the one hand, I think Americans have grown pretty cynical about the possibilities of change.  The system that has developed here is very adept at either co-opting real discontent or ignoring it -- take for example the huge protests before the invasion of Iraq.  Our government here doesn't try to repress or crush the opposition, it simply pretends that it's not there.  (Though some of us are beginning to wonder just how long that approach is going to last!)\n\nOn the other hand, most Americans are also aware, maybe only subconsciously, that they've got things pretty cushy, and rocking the boat could endanger their comfort.  I mean, hey, you got your ample supply of alcohol, your 500 channels of video-on-demand, and your vibrating armchair -- why would you want to revolt?
199868
For all the problems that we have with our health care system, I'd never give it up for the non-existent system that the US has.  40+ million Americans have no coverage whatsoever.  O Canadians have no coverage.
160139
Well, I wouldn't say that we aren't getting cared for, but I see your point. The U.S. government gets into other countries' business a lot. They throw millions of bucks into these causes without asking. They think they are doing good, which they could be doing. But what if they MADE SURE we were O.K. first, and THEN got OUR support on the project? Easier and better solution.
574420
People, don't be under the illusion that America has the best health care in the world.  Even if you "pay for it", it is still lower quality than what you would get in most European hospitals for free (or almost free).  I know this from experience.  I am an American living in France, my wife delivered our baby here, and I can assure you we were treated like the supper rich for only 45 Euros.  They didn't want us to leave as early as we did; 4 days in a private suite.\n\nThe reason the French can afford this is because they don't spend what America does on the military.  But then again France isn't controlled by oil companies and weapon manufactures like America is.\n\nIt is the price we paid winning WW2.  Economically speaking the weapons sector of the American economy became the most powerful and influential power in the world in only 4 years.  Before WW2 our boys were training with wooden guns.  Today the fly billion something dollar stealth fighters.   \n\nOut here in France the paratroopers are grounded because the government doesn't want to pay the fuel costs for the airplane they use to train with. Their helicopter "fleet" is rotting and they take "spare" parts off of other choppers to keep a few in working condition. \n\nTwo very different realities.\n\nPersonally I think we need a military.  But if we just cut a slice from its budget we could enjoy a much better American dream.\n\nNo kids going to bed hungry.  Everybody has top notch health care.  More police on the streets.  And maybe invest a little of what is left over in renewable energy technology (like what the French and the rest of the educated world is doing).
391909
The reason for poverty in America is the politics's of greed, or Repuglicans in general. I have mine and I want to make more therefore I do not want to pay taxes and to hell with anybody else. Being poor is no more a choice then homosexuality. It is thrust on 10% of the population by another 10% of the population the very rich. I wonder why of for what reason that a person needs every cent of their billion dollars and there are many billionaires here. There is also a thing with corporate greed. Move the good paying jobs with health benefits overseas to a place where people work for pennies. But do you see the price come down on anything because of it. The answer is a big NO. Socialized medicine is long overdue here it is needed by all, not just an elite few. Every one in the United States should have a birthright to three things food, shelter and health care.
362647
Public health system: Americans demand the best and most up to date health care - that costs. We also have a LOT of hypochondriacs that drive up the cost of health care, because they order every concievable test. Americans also are less likely to see a primary care physician regularly.\n\nMore importantly, because most people aren't paying out of pocket for health care, the costs actually go up, because no one shops around. That drives up everyone elses cost, and really screws the poor uninsured bastards.\n\nWorse, since many people don't see a doctor regularly, they instead go to the ER when something goes wrong - which drives up costs since prevention is far cheaper than solving the problem once it's gone to hell.\n\nHowever, the claim that there is no public health system is partially false. Life-threatening treatment will be provided. The indigent's treatment is paid for by the state, as are many children (into the lower-middle class). \n\nAlso, America's economy benefits greatly from the lack of a fully funded health system - the hard part is creating a public health system without hobbling the economy (like a large part of Europe).\n\n2.) Katrina's poor response is a good example of how federalism can backfire. In short, New Orleans is a crappy place to deal with an emergency, the local and state governments historically can't take a crap without going to committee (and overcharging the taxpayers), and the Feds assumed the Locals were going to bear the brunt of the planning. Whoops.
493875
Yep, its true - no socialized medicine.  Closest thing to it is Medicare for senior citizens (U.S. citizens).
569828
The insurance company's lobby the politicians so that they will not go to socialized medicine, it would be a loss of billions of dollars to them, they would have to find a different racket, no pun intended as I do feel insurance company's are legal organized crime. Health care has soared in recent years and they are the main reason why. All you have to do is look north to see how well health care works without insurance company's.
644466
Do you often poke at hornets nests with a stick?\n\nThey have already improved their quality of life immensely just by coming here.\n\nBut some sort of community based program for basic health care for infants and children would be a good idea if you can get any jaded Americans to subscribe to it.
457602
If anyone has to go through Parkland Hospital's Emergency Room in Dallas, Tx, they won't say they don't think America has a health care problem.  The line to be triaged is up to two hours long, the wait for prescriptions is over four hours and then patients are often refused the prescription because of one reason or another; patients are often refused treatment for not having the mountain of required proper paperwork and the indigent are treated like sub-humans.\n\nThe reason the govt. won't improve America's health care is because the 30% of insured Americans with great coverages are the same 30% who control the resources of our country, and as you can see, they don't see a problem.
351747
I doubt it. Americans are too lazy to involve themselves in something so strenuous as taking a stand for something. Just look at our anti-war movement; everybody is so apathetic that nobody really does anything about it. I can't imagine an issue strong enough to ultimately divide the entire nation in this day and age. Perhaps if people wanted to rapidly shift to socialism or something similar not seen in America before, maybe that will start something.
992466
It is greed, the repuglicans are all greedy to the very last one. This country as rich as it is with all the very rich people should have a very red face for not taking care of our own. Excuses like paying somebody to set on their fat ass's and not work is a cop out. Find a way to put these people to work and with a wage and health care good enough to take care of their family's. Do not just condemn them. Health care should be for everybody. The insurance company's need to be taking out of the mix as they are the problem. They are making a huge amounts of money off of the misery of humans. No one should be hungry in this the nation of plenty. An education is a way to life everybody up. It should be a right. It would be good for America as a whole. That is why I vote Democrat as I feel most of them do feel as I do.
188571
Healthcare should be available to all people regardless of age, sex, race, ect...  Limited availability of health care is usually a result of the economic situation of a country.  The health care system of the USA is driven by cold hard cash and capitalism.  The good thing about this is that if you have tons of cash you will recieve excellent care.  The drawback is that most people get substandard treatment if they are poor or middle class.  It's harsh but true.  There are so many people who are only in health care for the money rather than the humanistic altruism behind the hippocratic oath.
716775
Yes, it is possible to establish free healthcare in a nation.\n\nAlmost *every* other developed nation On Earth, that is, in Europe, on the Pacific Rim and on the North American continent, almost everyone who *can* afford to do so has done so.\n\nWe haven't.  Why?  Because the Rich Man Says So.  Not much else really....it's just the suits, and they own the media so they get to play an endless mindgame with us all, telling us that if *one more grandma* got her meds paid for it would just *bankrupt* the nation when poorer countries than ourselves *have* national healthcare that covers *everyone*.....\n\nReally.  And some clever folks will piss and moan about "socialism".  Look....socialism is actually *normal* for the rest of the developed world, ok?  It is.  Look at the UK, France, Austrailia.....even Canada, they all have national healthcare, all have it cheaper than we do, and none of them are bankrupt nations.\n\nThen look at Japan.  They definitely are pacifist, and socialist compared to us...and how do we know this? *America* wrote their constitution post-World War II, that's how!  Think about it.\n\nSocialism is normal for the rest of the world.  It isn't a dictatorship like communism, people still own their property, and the rich guys still get theirs, just not *rapaciously so* like here in the USA....\n\nSo yeah, it's *possible* to have free health care in the US....everyone else who can do it is in fact *doing it*.\n\nWill we?  Nope, because our Rich Men have made us all *retarded*.  Really, they call it "special", but when the cameras are turned off, we all know which meaning of "special" they really mean.....\n\nJust saying.  :)
631273
I am for neither, I am 45 yrs of age, it seems to me that this Country is in some serious Crap. We/USA are always more concerned with other Countries and their well being. The USA is not taking care of their own people first, as they should be. We have many, many people in our own country that is homeless, going hungry, etc. Yes there are a few programs out there that are trying to help, but come on, all that food and medical that other Countries are getting, why not give it to our country first where it is so desperately needed. Medical in the USA is crazy, I have to work 2 jobs at 32 hours a week for each, yes i am correct here on the hours, i get very little sleep and am getting burned out. just so i can have medical, one medical plan does not cover what i would like it to, so i have to have another medical plan to try and make up for the first one. Now how crazy is that? You asked me whom I am standing up for? believe in? well no one has earned my belief yet. I hope the future changes that.
686148
We are NOT all fine. There are people who cannot are refused health care because an illegals got there first. Auto insurance is higher than it should be because illegals don't pay for it. Apartments and home rentals are higher because of the inflated demand caused by illegals. America is suffering in many ways as a result of these illegals.