U.S. Health Care

James, I think I addressed your point in my response to LaShuan.

That's actually a very good point, and in the interest of disclosure I really should be honest and upfront, and admit; prescription charges in England did go up 10p to £7.20 this year. I am sincerely sorry for withholding this information as I now see that it shines a whole new light on your argument and of course, you're so right.

^ I can't find the bulletin board tags for sarcasm, so you'll just have to take my word for it.



No Debbra, not really. You just recited the same argument without sufficient research. You see, that's really the issue, isn't it, Debbra.

You can't speak to Universal healthcare, because you haven't experienced it. You can't speak to single payer, because you haven't paid into it. You actually don't know whether it would be any good for America, but you've already made up your mind that you don't want it.

Why? Who knows? Maybe you accept Republican propaganda at face value? Maybe you watch just a little too much Fox 'News'? I don't know why you believe what you do; and I'm becoming increasingly convinced that neither do you.

I will never, ever, ever, ever (are we clear?) sign your petition.

Because I have lived in a private sector healthcare service and believe it is wrong, corrupt and one of the worst ways to run a health care service that anyone could have thought up.

And

Because I have lived in a public sector healthcare service and believe it is right, run for the best possible reason, for the benefit of its recipients, and one of the best ways to run a health care service anyone could have thought up.

Cue applause!

See, we have LaShaun handling polite debate, James sharing his experiences with national health care outside this country (and I think it's safe to say he also has the sarcasm arena covered), and I'll just sit here and yell drunkenly from the back row when I get pissed off enough. I think I like this new set up.

James, if you say that I can't speak about Universal Healthcare because I haven't experienced it, then your argument stops there. But it's not a strong position that you have. One can have an informed opinion based on other than first hand experience. Go into a court of law, and witness a trial. Also, from that position you should not respect the other Americans on here who have the opposite point of view from me. But you do because you already agree with them, although, according to your argument, they're as ignorant as I am. I have an opinion based on many things -- what I read, viewing other failed government systems, and my basic common sense. I haven't nor do I intend to experience government run healthcare. I am trying to avoid that because I believe it is not as good as private healthcare. I've gone over my points over and over. You don't agree with them. Fine. But they're coherent arguements and positions. To say that I'm repeating propoganda is to disrespect any opposing point of view. I don't disrespect an opposing point of view. I know that very intelligent people have opinions across the board. And we can argue respectfully without becoming angry. And again, you are welcome to not sign the petition.

Well Debbra, I didn't say you can't speak about Universal Healthcare, I said

I cannot tell you what you can talk about.

What I'm saying is you have no support to your argument.

I have theories about the possibility (or not) of alien life on Mars. I may choose to share those opinions with a forum of people.

However, if someone said to me

I would reply with


Yes, Debbra; I have already invited you to "witness" for yourself. By all means, get yourself a ticket, you can even stay here. Come, experience the NHS, a Government run healthcare system; then let's talk about how you feel.


I respect everyone here, Debbra. I respect your right to hold a different opinion. But when you try and 'educate' others, you need to actually do a bit more research than you have.


I didn't say that you were repeating propaganda, I said
So, it's your choice to label your argument as "propaganda", not mine.


Well I'm sorry if you're becoming angry, Debbra; I can only suggest you find an alternative topic if this one is distressing you so much.

Thank you, I appreciate that; I think I'd probably misunderstood the intention of your repeated posting of the link; thank you for the clarification.

wow! it's been a while since I read this topic, and I see that the debate is still going on!
anybody who experienced free healthcare can understand why it's better. Maybe there are better options than the ones offered by the government, but things have to start somewhere. and I think it would be a good thing to start something about healthcare in USA.
now, my poor english and politics knowledge don't allow me to go further, I just feel lucky not to live in US...

Thank you all for a lively discussion, which I'm formally closing, as far as my participation is concerned. I've made some great new buddies, who I admire for making me think! And I look forward to your challenging me further, especially with my weightloss.

I posted this wonderful Margaret Mead quote on my journal today. But, as food for thought, it may be better placed here:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

I'm putting this note on this thread that I started, for my own reference. So anyone who is not interested in revisiting this issue, please feel free to just pass it by. But if you feel like reading my self-berating ramble and/or commenting, please be my guest.

I'm SCARED!!! I really am!!! I don't want to sound hysterical, and I know that there are plenty of you on here who don't share my political feelings on this issue, although I'm sure some of you do. My feeling is that this bill will become law very soon. And my only thought on that is that I have to secure myself by staying healthy because I believe that healthcare will become weaker and less available here in the U.S. I know I'm just complaining because I have no control over what happens in congress. But I just wanted to write this to remind myself to keep on my diet so that I don't get sick.

I have a history in my family of obesity related diabetes and cancer, and now more than ever I have to remind myself that I'm doing this diet in order to stay healthy!! It's not just for the sake of looking pretty. I need to become the healthiest I can in order to ward off being sick, now more than ever. Of course, I never wanted to get sick in the first place. But I'm pushing 45, and this age is the time that people start to get obesity related diseases. I'm technically obese. I have to lose this weight.

I HAVE TO LOSE THIS WEIGHT!!!! I HAVE TO LOSE THIS WEIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lies and deceit! How do you sleep at night?

I have a goal on this site, as I assume we all do, and that is to push myself to do what helps me to lose weight. Divided, I am not trying to hurt you. Please be so kind as to not attack me personally.

The over-dramatic wording was a cue for you not to take that seriously. Mr. Rollie Eyes was a fail-safe.

I'll try harder next time.

It was a joke? It's so hard to understand everyone's tones on here sometimes. No problem! My feelings are no longer hurt. Any dieting advice?

Always...

Get into endurance sports (running, cycling, etc.) to burn calories like crazy and make your cardiovascular system strong. If you've never done one before, train for a 5K. You never know until you try... you might like it. If you've already done that, up the ante and go bigger.

And if all of that fails, look for a trainer. Frequently what you really need is someone pushing you to go further than you would without their encouragement.