We are told that there are 47 million uninsured in this country, and that that’s the reason we need health care reform.
While I don’t dispute that, it is well-known that nearly half of those can afford the insurance but are uninsured by choice. It is also well-known that nearly half the remaining are eligible for Medi-Cal — other states have similar plans, but these folks are not enrolled for whatever reason. (The fact is, no one can be turned down for medical care.)
That leaves about 12 million unaccounted for. But when did it start to make sense to revamp the entire system for such a small number? It would be much cheaper to pass legislation to fix the problem for the 12 million.
One other argument for health care reform is the fact that we spend far more per capita than the rest of the industrialized nations. The idea here is that the government can reduce the overall cost of health care. If I am not badly mistaken, I read we are ranked No. 37. But, if you subtract the impact obesity has on that expenditure, compared with the other nations, we spend little if any more.
In the words of Sen. Ted Kennedy: “This country has the best medical care available in the world.”
One final thought: Some wording found on page 838 of the House version of the health care reform bill is very disturbing. It outlines home visitation programs for families with young children and those expecting children. For what reason? Why would this be necessary if not for more controls over personal freedoms? This is scary stuff.
Demopublicans and Republicrats are in this to further their own interests, not yours or mine. Even though I have my own problems with health insurance, I’m on Medicare — I will take care of the problem myself. I do not want some government bureaucrat messing it up worse than it already is.
• Editor’s note: Medicare is administered through the federal government.
Found a picture of Hitler's healthcare it didn't look like such a fair system?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GermanPoliceTormentingJew.JPG
Can you do the same?
Godwin’s Law states that the longer a debate goes on, the probability of a comparison to Nazis or Hitler rises. It seems the debate over healthcare is no exception.
Over the last few days, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) has repeatedly accused people at a recent protest against President Obama's healthcare reform of wearing swastikas and SS symbols -- a claim that was later bolstered by a series of photographs.
"I think they’re AstroTurf, you be the judge," said Pelosi. "They’re carrying swastikas and symbols like that to a town meeting on healthcare."
Perennial Obama critic and conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh was quick to respond to the accusations, arguing today on his radio show that it was in fact the Democrats who were using Nazi symbolism to advance their agenda. He cited a post on the conservative blog Sweetness & Light that compares Obama's new healthcare logo -- a combination of his campaign logo and the ancient Greek symbol of medicine -- to the Nazi swastika symbol.
“They accuse of us being Nazis, and Obama's got a healthcare logo that's right out of Adolf Hitler's playbook,” said Limbaugh.
Limbaugh then proceeded to describe the ways Democrats are like Nazis -- a list that included their dedication to animal rights and their opposition to smoking and pollution.
Well, the Nazis were against big business -- they hated big business. And of course we all know that they were opposed to Jewish capitalism. They were insanely, irrationally against pollution. They were for two years mandatory voluntary service to Germany. They had a whole bunch of make-work projects to keep people working, one of which was the Autobahn. They were against cruelty and vivisection of animals, but in the radical sense of devaluing human life, they banned smoking. They were totally against that. They were for abortion and euthanasia of the undesirables, as we all know, and they were for cradle-to-grave nationalized healthcare.
Nowhere did anyone slander you. We are discussing healthcare. You first made the comparision to Hitler's healthcare and we had a discussion about that. The Tracy Press will print any loser's letter.
Ask your lawyer first.
I know what I am talking about, I did my research. Yes from 1933 to 1945. All Germans had free medical care.
You had 8 years of G.W. Bush, where did it get us. He almost destroyed this nation. He like you only care about people with money and power. Bush, like you, lack compassion, and tolerance and any sort of intelligence.
You totally mis-read my letter because you cannot read much less think.
Like I said, where do we will, Tracy, insulting me, making funny of my dying wife.
Bargining Chip you are a stupid lame coward, I post my name..
But you being coward hide. I will call the Tracy Press and get you name.
Then my lawyer will contact you and sue you for slander.
The form is for discussions, but trash like you, hurt, insult, make fun of people with ideas that are different from you. So who is calling me a Nazi.
I am a criminal, because we need a program for medical care in this cpuntry. Ok Jerk be brave go tell my wife to go off and die because you think we do not have medical care in this county, Pleaae call her up your worthless coward, tell her to go off and die.. Because you want a system that is broken.
Bargining Chip, if there was ever a jerk, you fit the bill. When did the Tracy Press run your last letter. The way you act, never. They do not print letters from losers like you. My attorney will be in touch.
I do not want to see the German system, one you described, happen to USA. Our Treasury has a dollar glued to their back vault so they could say, "it is not empty".
Maybe even have a block of gold for the same reason.
In another room, they have floor to ceiling disk archive, hard copies of debts we owe the rest of the world.
Go to another room, to get at the truth, you will see the nightmare happening in USA! Obama is leading in state of denial, I fear.
ConcernedNeighbor
PS. Will anarchy breed facism and lead to another state of Germany?
Documented and those, let's say, UN-documented.
There was a cost with Mr. Galaviz's Nazi's healthcare plan that seems to keep getting swept under the table.
Same thing is happening in Congress. Sweeping the un-documented illegals under the table.
There IS a cost associated with the liberals in this country who want to sweep people under the table.
In this case it will be a taxpayer cost or the plight of the illegals.
I feel that liberals need to bring this to the table and come up with a plan or NO deal.
« Al Galaviz wrote on Sunday, Aug 23 at 04:02 PM »
"We tell how bad and terrible Hitler and Nazi Germany was, but they had a system of Universal Health Care that was excellent and free of charge. "
Not during the reign of Hilter?
Poignant letter, sad, story of sadness repeated with greater frequency across the nation.
Thanks for sharing the letter, below, that you plan to send to the editor.
CN
;)
Hitler's and his healthcare "plan" that you discussed. Yes, I could see that, but Tracy (to hell?)???
Come on?
???
Like I said where do we live. (Tracy) A town that time forgot. Most of you making the insults to let my wife die. God have mercy on your worthless red neck souls. Problem woith Tracy, you think we are living 100 years ago,
What can we expecr from people who have been driving their tractors in the sun too long, its cooked your small brains.
The Tracy Press will always print my letter not yours. Because I see and call things as there are. You cannot, I am honest show compassion, care about people. You do not. I will always be listen too and respected, You ugly and sad people never will be posted or listened too
Because to all the trash that insulted me, and thinks its funny my wife dies, you forgot to be a human being, When God call you, he wil remind you how you treated me and others, Enjoy hell
Tracy will always be a small town with small minded people,
In response to you forth-coming letter.
First, the stories of people dumped in the street because they cannot pay are very real I know I have read them too. But they are a criminal acts!!! A National Health Plan won’t fix that, only prosecution. That’s a government function. So why aren’t they prosecuting them? You said something about the real issue? Quit making assumptions. I did not vote for McCain!!!!
Second, Here is where I almost lost it!!! You said, “We tell how bad and terrible Hitler and Nazi Germany was, but they had a system of Universal Health Care that was excellent and free of charge.”
How dare you? Excellent surgeons trained on the Jewish people in the infamous “Death Camps” then burned in furnaces for their partisipation. That sir is not “Free” and certainly not compassionate!! The atrocities that occurred in those camps as well as the prisoner of war camps in the name of medicine are reprehensible and inexcusable.
There are those who believe that Hitler’s “Death Camps” were the figment of someone’s imagination but I can assure sir, they are not. I own a book called “Krigen i billeder,” “The War in Pictures,” which graphically details the atrocities of the war including the “Death Camps” where these wonderful(?) surgeons were trained.
They ought to look at the diversity of poplace bearing different kind of disease. Sickle Cell for example.
I worry this will cover basic health problem and the panels will take time in evaluating diseases, costs, consultation and then procedure on treatments for the patient. How is all of that going to save money? Seems most of the budget goes to administrative costs.
Present plan is shoddy at best.
Redo it! And do it right!
We have all agreed that there are problems in health care, what we have not agreed on is how to fix it. I too have cancer but not life threatening at this time. But being a senior citizen and the possibility of having to face a government “Advisory Panel” is fighting at best. There are well over 40 million retired seniors in this country who will also have to face them sooner or later.
If you honestly think it is I who lacks compassion I will repeat, the advisory panels will be used in spite of what Obama says. If not, Why did the government reinstate the use of “The guide “Your Life, Your Choice,” a guide that asks an injured soldier if he thinks his life is worth living. You think that’s being companionate??
If you think speaking up for fellow seniors is being self-centered so be it. But someone has to. By the way, AARP has backed off their support for HR 3200 because it can be used as a death sentence for seniors.
Yes there are problems that need to be fixed and the “Prior Condition” exclusion should be first on the list, I would support it to the end because of my wife’s Bronchial Asthma which has been life threatening but at present under control. But if HR 3200 passes it will bankrupt the nation. When that happens we will be uninsured.
Mr. Galaviz, if your wife’s tumor is life threatening please take her to Sutter Community now. By law they cannot deny treatment.
In the meantime if you can get the government to remove the “Advisory Panel” and the “Home Visitation Panel” along with the $1.3 billion appropriations I will be on board.