Healthcare in America

[Gary]

This post may never make a thread, but if by chance it does, I challenge anyone who is so against "anything" remotely socialist to watch the documentary "Sicko" by Michael Moore and be prepared to have your eyes open wide. We have been led down the path that the word socialist should never be uttered in America. View this documentary and then see if you still feel the same way. When you see how the heroes of 9/11 were treated by this country and what they had to do to receive care, it is truly shocking. Healthcare in America is a travesty, to call ourselves a great nation and then witness what is taking place is despicable. Just remember, the person being depicted could become your mom, dad, brother, sister or loved one.

[CLEP101]

This post may never make a thread, but if by chance it does, I challenge anyone who is so against "anything" remotely socialist to watch the documentary "Sicko" by Michael Moore and be prepared to have your eyes open wide. We have been led down the path that the word socialist should never be uttered in America. View this documentary and then see if you still feel the same way. When you see how the heroes of 9/11 were treated by this country and what they had to do to receive care, it is truly shocking. Healthcare in America is a travesty, to call ourselves a great nation and then witness what is taking place is despicable. Just remember, the person being depicted could become your mom, dad, brother, sister or loved one.

What's up Gary,
I have to admit that you sure can pick the topics.
I saw bits and pieces of that documentary and I have to admit that it is a shame that US Citizens have to go thru that in order to receive care in the "best country in the world". The secret to receiving the best medical care in the US is to be a "Non-citizen", I think. Everyone else except for the Working US Citizen qualifies for Medicare/Medicaid (The people that actually pay for it, don't qualify).
I do think that we are a great nation though, but also think we need to take care of our house first, then others.
I would ask though, would you rather have the healthcare system of other countries like Cuba, Canada, or Europe? Realize that Michael Moore is as left as you can get (Even you would agree on that Gary, I hope) and only showed the pretty side of Socialized medicine. Even Canada would rather pay to come to the US to get seen by a doctor than to wait an average of 5 or 6 months in order to be seen by their free healthcare for routine care, even longer for surgeries.

Being in the military, I think it would be kinda hypocritical of me to criticize Socialized medicine. If you think about it, our military healthcare system is a form of Socialized medicine. I'm glad to have it. However, how will this kind of healthcare system work for the rest of the country? Will the healthcare go down hill like in the countries I mentioned?


I did like the movie "Michael Moore Hates America" though.

[Gary]

I agree, he is left. I also agree that we only saw the good side of socialized medicine and there are drawbacks. And we have a great nation... w/a lot of issues. Still, I believe everyone should have access to healthcare. What happened to families in that movie could happen to anyone. Without a doubt, the documentary exposed the health industry as callous and here's that word again, GREEDY.

[cdautel]

The secret to receiving the best medical care in the US is to be a "Non-citizen", I think.


I did like the movie "Michael Moore Hates America" though.

I thought the same thing about receiving good healthcare before I even read your response! I guess great minds think alike. I haven't watched any of Michael Moore's movies (nor do I want to), but is it necessary to have a separate movie dedicated to him hating America, or isn't it already evident enough in his productions?

[Gary]

Have you even seen the documentary yet? In the past, people on this site have asked if anyone has read this book or that, they may be good but I can't read for hrs and hrs, especially on subjects I am already against. I will watch film though. If you don't want to watch, don't watch. He leans left no doubt, but some of the film is accurate, I don't care what side of the fence you sit on. What happens to the families should not ever happen in America. The treatment of the real heroes make no mistake, was and is real. It wasn't poor Democratic or Republican policies. It was inhumane treatment pure and simple. If you think these stories haven't happened in America, you are dead wrong. Like I've said before, it could be you or your loved ones some day. As for him hating America, we DO have shortcomings, that's not being unpatriotic saying that. That's keeping it real. If these issues are never brought to the forefront, they will never be addressed. I thought we had freedom of speech?

[CLEP101]

Still, I believe everyone should have access to healthcare. What happened to families in that movie could happen to anyone. Without a doubt, the documentary exposed the health industry as callous and here's that word again, GREEDY.

Wow, finally we are on the same page. hilarious
I agree with you on that.

[frankiebleyes]

As a former cancer survivor with good insurance at that time, I can attest that when the money runs out so does the health care. I don't have the answer, but feel that something better has to be available. Too many of us have had our retirement ruined, our finances ruined, etc. from a major illness that wiped us out. Imagine two in the same family and figure out what someone who has no insurance experiences. It makes me shudder!

[Gary]

I tip my hat to you Frankie. I have the utmost respect for people such as you that have been through any battle such as yours. We lose sight of the fact people live these battles everyday. When I lost my dad to questionable healthcare in Dec 2007, I was devastated. I was at a SEARS talking about his tools etc., to an employee and he expressed his condolences and said he knew how I felt, he went through it when he lost his dad.......before he was 10. It made me appreciate I had as long as I had w/my dad. I filed that story in my memory for future reference. We get so wrapped up in OUR lives that we forget there is good humanity out there who face tremendous challenges everyday. And they are left to the wolves. Thanks, man. Glad you mad it.