Any one fancy joining a tribe? Page 3

Quote: DaButt @ March 20 2010, 11:50 PM GMT

If insurance companies are so terrible, why is Obama's bill which makes insurance coverage mandatory a good thing?

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So you're saying that many people in the US often choose to opt out of having health insurance? You don't think that, in the vast majority of cases, it's simply because they can't afford it? And that limiting the amount per capita that the insurance companies can cream off the top of premiums somehow will reduce the amount of money available to actually deliver health services? OK then...

Quote: sootyj @ March 20 2010, 11:46 PM GMT

Of course. You could build less prisons for shop lifters and spend less on defence. China and Iran really aren't planning on invading anytime soon.

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Shoplifters don't go to prison unless it's their 5th or 6th offence. Americans will gladly pay for more prisons if it keeps criminals off the streets.

U.S. health care costs are quadruple its defence budget.

P.S. Keep your eyes on China; bookmark your post for future reference. You only need to check the figures for their huge military spending increase and recent statements to understand what they have planned for the future.

Quote: AndreaLynne @ March 20 2010, 11:55 PM GMT

Don't forget the Italian mafia. My father-in-law was always convinced they were involved in everything.

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I wish we had the Italian(-American) Mafia in Bristol. The waste collection service is dreadful at the moment. People forget all the good work the Mafia do...

Quote: DaButt @ March 20 2010, 11:57 PM GMT

U.S. health care costs are quadruple its defence budget.

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That's kinda the point isn't it? Insurance systems with advertising, endless court battles, over provision etc etc etc.

Is expensive an insurance system monitored by a health ministery. Is cheaper and better.

It's not big or small government it's right sized government. I don't get why you guys don't look at the rest of the world and feel jealous?

I have been cancer-free for a year and a half and I still can't find insurance coverage.

Quote: Tim Walker @ March 20 2010, 11:57 PM GMT

So you're saying that many people in the US often choose to opt out of having health insurance?

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Absolutely. Young people tend to be healthy and would rather spend those thousands of dollars on other things. I'm sure there are millions of Americans who "can't afford" insurance but spend a greater amount of money on cable TV, cell phones and other unnecessary things.

And I can only assume there's a reason that stock prices for insurance companies reached new highs recently.

Quote: DaButt @ March 20 2010, 11:57 PM GMT

P.S. Keep your eyes on China; bookmark your post for future reference. You only need to check the figures for their huge military spending increase and recent statements to understand what they have planned for the future.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

US spending is 8 times higher than China's, which isn't much more than France or Britains.

Quote: sootyj @ March 21 2010, 12:00 AM GMT

It's not big or small government it's right sized government. I don't get why you guys don't look at the rest of the world and feel jealous?

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We look at the EU and just shake our heads.

Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:02 AM GMT

Absolutely. Young people tend to be healthy and would rather spend those thousands of dollars on other things. I'm sure there are millions of Americans who "can't afford" insurance but spend a greater amount of money on cable TV, cell phones and other unnecessary things.

And I can only assume there's a reason that stock prices for insurance companies reached new highs recently.

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About the single most depressing change in politics in the last 10 years of Bush. Has been just how respectable it's been to hate and blame poor people for being poor.

This is a jump back to Victorian attitudes.

Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:05 AM GMT

We look at the EU and just shake our heads.

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Wealthy, secure, healthy.

I guess we suck. I'm glad the EU is to chaotic and corrupt to get involve in any bone headed foreign adventures.

Quote: AndreaLynne @ March 21 2010, 12:00 AM GMT

I have been cancer-free for a year and a half and I still can't find insurance coverage.

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See? To us over here that is just plain wrong. And it shouldn't matter if you were cancer-free or not, everyone deserves to be treated to the best of the health system's ability. It's the one area of public expenditure in the country where practically no-one feels hard done by that their money is used to help others. It's simply a system which is for the greater good of your fellow man and woman.

Quote: sootyj @ March 21 2010, 12:03 AM GMT

US spending is 8 times higher than China's, which isn't much more than France or Britains.

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If you believe the figures China releases then you should probably take advantage of the NHS and have your head examined.

Quote: Tim Walker @ March 21 2010, 12:06 AM GMT

See? To us over here that is just plain wrong. And it shouldn't matter if you were cancer-free or not, everyone deserves to be treated to the best of the health system's ability. It's the one area of public expenditure in the country where practically no-one feels hard done by that their money is used to help others. It's simply a system which is for the greater good of your fellow man and woman.

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Thanks Tim. I owe you a cookie.

Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:06 AM GMT

If you believe the figures China releases then you should probably take advantage of the NHS and have your head examined.

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No I suspect it's lower China is trying to be a major player and boost it's weapon sales.

Aside from a few elite units most of it's army work in factories for corrupt military corps. But in all seriousness you're worried about China invading something?

Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:02 AM GMT

Young people tend to be healthy and would rather spend those thousands of dollars on other things.

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So what about the young people who aren't healthy, whose families don't come from wealth (for whatever reasons). What about the chronically ill who, through no fault of their own, can't work and pursue the capitalist dream? It does seem to be a case of "F**k them, that's their bad luck". A society which looks after it's disadvantaged just seems to be, if not financially better off, then richer in its spiritual (not religious) outlook. Anyway...

Quote: sootyj @ March 21 2010, 12:06 AM GMT

About the single most depressing change in politics in the last 10 years of Bush. Has been just how respectable it's been to hate and blame poor people for being poor.

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Who is blaming people for being poor? My definition of being poor does not include cell phones, 52" televisions and $300/month cigarette habits. I know poor people, but I know many more selfish people with poor money management skills. And, as I said, poor people have access to free/subsidized health care in this country.

Wealthy, secure, healthy.

I read the news.