Quote: chipolata @ August 12 2009, 4:18 PM BSTIt is ironic that the people complaining about how much health care will cost are the exact same ones happy to see gazillions frittered away on not one but TWO pointless wars, neither of which have achieved anything.
America spends about 4 - 5% of it's GDP on the military, that's a lot for a country that turns over trillions. Just saying like!
Quote: chipolata @ August 12 2009, 4:18 PM BSTIt is ironic that the people complaining about how much health care will cost are the exact same ones happy to see gazillions frittered away on not one but TWO pointless wars, neither of which have achieved anything.
The total spent on the wars over the last 8 years is tiny compared to the cost of the cost of the proposed health care program. It amounts to about a dollar a day. It might buy us all aspirin and toothpaste, but it won't pay for all our medical costs. But it's a popular talking point and as meaningless as all the others.
'Obama bit my kids and during a full moon, they become socialists!'
Anyone else watching these town hall meetings and having flashbacks of Blazing Saddles?
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ August 12 2009, 4:44 PM BST'Obama bit my kids and during a full moon, they become socialists!'
Anyone else watching these town hall meetings and having flashbacks of Blazing Saddles?
They're not all called Johnson by any chance.
Quote: DaButt @ August 12 2009, 4:43 PM BSTThe total spent on the wars over the last 8 years is tiny compared to the cost of the cost of the proposed health care program. It amounts to about a dollar a day. It might buy us all aspirin and toothpaste, but it won't pay for all our medical costs. But it's a popular talking point and as meaningless as all the others.
You do passive agression better than anyone I've ever known, DaButt. Even me, and I'm a master of the art. 
Quote: chipolata @ August 12 2009, 4:51 PM BSTYou do passive agression better than anyone I've ever known, DaButt. Even me, and I'm a master of the art.
I'd label myself a passive realist. No aggression at all. Not tethered to any political party or belief system. I just use my head and make the choices I think are best. I always feel like an outsider during political debates.
Quote: youngian @ August 12 2009, 4:09 PM BSTThey have corrected their Stephen Hawking error although it doesn't make teh article any less amusing-
"The British have succeeded in putting a price tag on human life, as we are about to."
Well frankly there is, there's always going to be a point where care gets rationed. And I prefer a government scheme I have a choice to opt out of as oposed to some sleaze bag in a shiny suit.
Quote: DaButt @ August 12 2009, 4:43 PM BSTThe total spent on the wars over the last 8 years is tiny compared to the cost of the cost of the proposed health care program. It amounts to about a dollar a day. It might buy us all aspirin and toothpaste, but it won't pay for all our medical costs. But it's a popular talking point and as meaningless as all the others.
Isn't that on top of the massive defence spending already in place?
Quote: DaButt @ August 12 2009, 4:05 PM BSTIt serves Obama's cause to concentrate on ludicrous stuff like Hawking instead of the difficult questions like "How are we going to pay for this program?"
Fox news is the best thing that happened to the Democrats.
Well you could go for a National Insurance type scheme like the UK and France, or a compulsory government controlled private scheme like Holland. All of whom offer markedly superior health care without destroying the budget. (And are generaly cheaper except the Scandinavain countries who kinda value health care and are willing to pay).
Frankly private health care is only good value on a limited basis as an adjunct to an existing state system.
Quote: DaButt @ August 12 2009, 4:59 PM BSTI'd label myself a passive realist. No aggression at all. Not tethered to any political party or belief system. I just use my head and make the choices I think are best. I always feel like an outsider during political debates.
You sound like my kind of guy.
Quote: The Giggle-o @ August 12 2009, 7:04 PM BSTYou sound like my kind of guy.
Fag.
Quote: chipolata @ August 12 2009, 1:34 PM BSTAnd the people who vote for the GOP nomination are the type who watch Fox. It seems to speak directly to Republican grassroots supporters. In the same way as here the Daily Mail speaks directly to core Conservative supporters.
As for blaming Obamas woes on Fox, far from it. The shine was always destined to come off him. Fox is just a rather silly nasty minded television station with a lot of hysterical talking heads that tend to make America look rather foolish.
And there was I thinking you were just a sex-obsessed misogynistic man-flirt. Must you make me challenge my misconceptions? 
Quote: DaButt @ August 12 2009, 12:23 PM BSTthere are a lot of lies and distortions out there and some of them are coming from the White House.
It doesn't really seem fair to call it that any more.
Quote: Paul W @ August 12 2009, 4:12 PM BSThe can either done one of two things
H-yuck!
Quote: DaButt @ August 12 2009, 4:43 PM BSTThe total spent on the wars over the last 8 years is tiny compared to the cost of the cost of the proposed health care program. It amounts to about a dollar a day.
An eye-watering amount.
I'd like to know what the average insurance premiums amount to over a lifetime, for similar or same cover as Obama's proposed system.
Quote: Aaron @ August 13 2009, 1:07 PM BSTI'd like to know what the average insurance premiums amount to over a lifetime, for similar or same cover as Obama's proposed system.
You're right. They should just forget all about reforming health care and leave it as it is, where poor people are f**ked.
Oh bless you!
Quote: Aaron @ August 13 2009, 1:16 PM BSTOh bless you!
You're all right, you've got the socialist NHS to keep you ticking over.
Yes, I am. And yes, I do. And I milk it for all it's worth, with my free prescriptions and comprehensive medical care.