Added: 2 years ago
From: UCBComedy
Views: 59,737
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (481)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • Hey what a great straw man! Because anybody who disagrees with you must automatically want no solution to the problem. It's not because Universal Healthcare has been PROVEN to be a terrible system, it's because those people are ignorant! Right.

  • beautiful, simply beautiful

  • im a regular person and obamacare will hurt my family and by the way were not rich were lower middle class

  • The message of this video is how people are voting against their own interest and it's true, such as republicans who are college graduates and can't find work and without health care. The health care act allows you to remain on parents coverage.

  • When I first saw this in the sidebar I thought it was one of those "OBAMACARE IS EVIL AND IS SOCIALISM" productions, from those people who wave don't tread on me flags. Then I watched the video, and I realised what is going on.

    Seriously, Americans are dropping dead because there's no national healthcare plan there. Watching this from a country that has, I just find this hard to believe.

  • @eXAKR Just want to point out that the Gasden flag is NOT solely used by the Tea Party. It has a very diverse and interesting history, and it is NOT the FLAG'S fault idiots are waving it right now. There are people who respect the flag and its history, who are not against Obama Care. Or Obama in general... Its history alone... GOOGLE it.

  • @TextualFury Since I'm a Singaporean, I don't profess much knowledge about the history of America, though I do indeed have heard about the Gadsen flag before this Tea Party mess started up. I just skimmed through its Wikipedia article, and indeed it has quite a history and meaning behind it, one that I think those Tea Party people are destroying, unfortunately. Those who don't know much about the flag are going to think it's the flag of some crazy idiots :/ .

  • @eXAKR My bad, it should be Gadsden Flag.

  • @otl200 Hey, im from England and the NHS is one of the best things about this conuntry-i wait 5 mins for a check up, the buildings are clean and modern and best of all its free-you are acting against your own interest to say no to obamacare-your probably one of the few rich enough to afford american healthcare bills anyway

  • Why do Americans act against their best interests?

  • @Caesarslegion1 Because it's very hard to understand what's in your best interest. On average people would rather rant about so-called "socialism" or other made-up enemies than figure out the actual problems involved, which takes a lot of time and effort.

  • that was scary, however gets the point across

  • @otl200

    It sucks that Jesus was a socialist.

  • @otl200 i live in Canada and its not tht bad

  • To be fair "Obamacare" is terrible but not because it's socialism or other idiotic nonsense like that. It's terrible because it funnels more taxpayer money to big pharma without improving care conditions or getting better value to the consumer.

    The only thing I can't figure out is why conservatives hate it. They're in the pocket of big pharma too, they should be thrilled.

  • @megamarsvin Maybe those conservatives finally want to represent the will of the people they so adamantly claim to represent... Oops; I had a brief moment ot insanity. Please forgive me.

  • @Vleader001 Haha yeah that'll be the day.. When hell freezes over ;)

  • @megamarsvin Right on point. The same thing is happening in Sweden where I live, but from the other way around. (Selling public hospitals for far less that they're worth etc) and probably all over any other nations that have public health insurances that weren't already all about giving stock owners handouts.

  • The government doesn't have the right to make anyone buy anything Period. For having the best healthcare on the planet you people sure have some gall to say its terrible. Move to northern india, THEY DONT GET HEALTHCARE THERE BUD, THEY GET TO DIE FOR SURE if rupture a gasket. and by the way, the founding fathers had every intention of helping their neighbors, OUT OF THEIR OWN WILL NOT BY FORCE, as long as that person is willing to help themselves which so many millions are not in the country.

  • Think about this: Q: What's wrong with healthcare in the US? A: It costs too much and it's inefficiently delivered. Now... Name one thing the government has ever made less costly or more efficient. Can't do it, can you?

    Obamacare doesn't fix anything. You folks that support it are just thieving leaches who want to use the force of government to steal from your neighbors. Government can't give you anything without first taking it, by force, from someone else. You're common muggers.

  • "Im a doctor. Is president Obama a doctor? I dont think so!" best part in my opinion

  • CAAAANNNAAAAADDAAAAAA WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO

  • we do need some fixing in our healthcare, but anything the government comes up with is gonna be inneficient and fucking stupid that won't help anyone.

  • WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF THE REST OF THE NUTTY TEA BAGGERS WHO PREFER TO SPEND ELVEN TRILLION ON AN ILLEGAL AND UNFOUNDED WAR NOT APPROVED BY CONGRESS OR SENATE OR THE UN THAN SPEnd us tax payers dollars on Americans WOULD ALSO FALL OVER LIKE THE PEOPLE IN THIS VID ?

    THAD BE SWEET

  • Doctors quitting?!?!?!??! Oh MY FUCKING GOD!!! Maybe thats because they wont be getting paid the shit load of money to do shit service that they are getting now!

  • All you stupid commenters. Google medicaid cuts and see what is happening right now..

    Or google 47% of doctors quit obamacare

    or google insurance companies wrote health care bill

    Obama is a corporate shill who sold you out

  • @ret 47% of doctors quit? Bahahaha, maybe you need to check your sources, son.

  • If your sick or injured or just demand free healthcare, why not just goto the island paradise Cuba for their free healthcare?.... When a Cuban arrives here in a floating tire or on a piece of plywood, just hop in/on that same tire/plywood and head back to Cuba!

    Free Healthcare for all.... In Cuba, the greatest country on Earth thanks to.... Free HEALTHCARE!!!!!

  • Whao when did this video become some kinda debate thread? :0

  • Anyone who falls for this is stupid. People who need imediate medical attention weren't dying because they were waiting on obama care. We have the best health care system inthe world. Yes, better than England. Yes, better than Canada. This is a Childish argument in video form.

  • @ewhit79 You my friend obviously have a bias as to what you are saying. how much money do you make a year. Just because you and your rich friends can afford helathcare does not mean others can. As many people we have covered, there are double that without healthcare. So you tell me lets let everyone die so the rich get richer. Or lets try a socialist healthcare system that seems to be working in other countries and helping people get better. Oh wait i forgot your a pig

  • That was incredibly hilarious! But the sad thing is that it's true to an extent. I've seen people who get Medicare benefits protesting government health-care reform because they think it's socialism. It's like, where do they think medicare comes from anyway?

  • yeah like im pretty sure making sure people stay alive and healthy isnt socialism.. T.T

  • @VaginosaurusRex but the government using our money for it is.

  • @patpatomegatron so what ur saying is taxes r socialism?

  • @VaginosaurusRex Only when they go to socialist based systems like obamacare. Taxes for roads, military, police, etc. is fine.

  • @patpatomegatron well get used to it cuz were gonna b a plutocracy soon then a communist state in a while. *flees* :x

  • @ArmandoASG wow it sickens me how ill informed you are. Hospitals have to treat you regardless of condition. Also, we use those bullets so that we protect our citizens, keeping the fight away from our borders. When that goes through, it is going to be extremely expensive for those who actually have money. I am going to pay as much as a smoker with cancer, like you probably are, and in return I will get terrible care. Fair? I really dont think so.

  • @Kurremkarmerruk12

    Another greedy rich American who wants the poor to stay poor so he can stay rich. To that end you either misunderstand or purposely misrepresent what the reform is about. God forbid others have anything close to your gold plated cadillac plan and that you have to pay your fair share of taxes.

  • Lol at the end

  • ewww

  • Yes you do have to pay for this healthcare plan with increased taxes...

  • @sxern take this in to consideration friend, 500+ dollars a month, vs a very slight tax increase, no more than 15-20 dollars more. do the math.

  • If Americans are to retarded to realise when someone is trying to help them then let them fucking die!

  • @VincentBrooke1 joke

  • @VincentBrooke1 I'm guessing that not being from the States, you never read the legislation. (Don't worry, neither did most people from here.) Even still, it's intellectually stupid to comment on something you don't know anything about.

  • Well, coming from Britain I know what free healthcare is. (Considering it's saved my life about five or six times). And the fact that Americans don't want such a thing either because they're too greedy to help the poor, or too squeamish because it's a teensy bit 'socialist', I find very pathetic.

  • @VincentBrooke1 It's not the "Free" factor that bothers some people, or it's slight socialist leaning. It's the actual content of the bill. It's important to not look at it face value. Like I said, as you are obviously not from the States, I don't expect you to have read it but if you are going to form an opinion on the Health Care Bill here, you should read it. It's not what they are trying to say it is.

  • Oh, really? What do I not know, then? As far as I know it's the same as in Britain, France and Canada.

  • @VincentBrooke1 It's not the same. I wish it was. The T4 program was actually reviewed for the Health Care plan here. The government can effectivly decide who gets healthcare and who does not. Certain people are going to take priority. Not only that, but a panel is being created to decide how much can be spent on each disease. The stipulation is no future Congress can abolish this commitee. Which is illegal here.I don't talk about English legilslation because I don't know about it. Do the same.

  • But surely the whole point behind it is to help people who can't afford healthcare a hand? Besides, Britain has a panel to decide the same things. People struggle to afford specialist drugs which they have to pay for privately because they're deemed too expensive for the NHS. The only difference is where you say, 'certain people are going to take priority'. Would you mind elaborating?

  • You would think so, but I have doubts. In the States, this panel would say "You can only spend X amount on a cancer patient. After that, no more can be spent on that person." But, like I said, there is a clause that says no future Congress can get rid of it. Congress cannot inhibite future Congress, for legal reasons. (Moral issues nonwithstanding.) Certain people can based on the governments desicion. They literally can deny healthcare to anyone they choose. I don't trust gov. with that.

  • I see. One thing I still don't understand is this: If the American government (At least, Obama's government) is planning to have some sort of national healthcare system, why is not doing things the same as Britain, France and Canada? A certain degree of taxes go towards the NHS so that EVERYONE is able to see a doctor, no matter what. Everyone pays for everyone, if you will...

  • To be honest, the only reason I can see them not doing it is money and corruption. The government in the United States, like most govnernments, is driven by money and corruption. I wish I could say it was different, but that's the sad truth of it. Money is preventing us from enacting a system that could be beneficial to the people here. If they were to bring back the Hil-Burton Standard and introduce a single payer plan, I would be for it. Sadly, they continue to be driven by money.

  • Shit, that sucks...

  • It seems to be the nature of government to lead to corruption. The United States Government is far from the most corrupt, but we could do alot better.

  • @rocknrollguru23

    Pretty much. If you think about it, the reason anybody ran for office was because they wanted power. Nobody has a congressional position thrust upon them. They have to put a lot of effort into getting that spot. They wanted the power, they got the power, and now they use it.

  • @khodo63 It's too bad there really is nobody who would rather serve the people and not use their power for personal benefit.

    Oh me, and my dreamy little tangents.

  • @rocknrollguru23

    Well, it's like Douglas Adams said. Anyone with the ability to get elected is not fit to be in office, and vice versa.

  • @khodo63 Heh. That's about right.

  • @VincentBrooke1 putting us in debt isnt really helping...

  • so true!!!!!

  • Lmfao!!!

  • lmfao. Perfect :3 Say yesss!

  • I hereby declare that any comment posted upon a controversial video that concerns the commentator's personal political opinions(that nobody on youtube actually cares about) or a quote from the video that a viewer would have already heard that is more than 5 lines labels the commentator a total douchebag!

  • Bravo.

  • Lol, this is too true.

    Hilarious.

  • this is dumb.

    

  • I'm not going to stay and bicker because I have better things to do but I just want to leave you all with this thought. We are, what, 13 trillion USD in debt? Where do you think that comes from? A large portion comes from other failed government takeovers... Social security, Medicare, etc. Social Security started out as a lock box, they were going to put the money in a savings account... Now it's going bankrupt.. And we're going to trust them with our healthcare?

  • awesome, very funny, and sadly a true commentary on ignorant people in this country.

  • where do i begin?... first off this is a sort of socialism...your probably rolling your eyes but at least read before commenting. this obama care will not let you sink or swim it is taking away your right to reserve your money for any endeavor you wish to pursue. while that may be a dumb choice....it should be OUR choice... This obama care is treating adults like there 3 year olds who dont know any better and have to have mommy and daddy government make our choices for us. frankly it sickens me.

  • WOW XD FKIN AMAZING !!!

  • Obamacare? More like COMMUNISM-CARE

    It's just like all those COMMUNISTS/SOCIALISTS out there to want the government to step in on health care, just like all the COMMUNISTS/SOCIALISTS that wanted Social Security. I don't want my money going to the needy or the elderly. They can eat dog food in their golden years for all I care.

    And don't get me started on Benjamin Franklin's Socialist agenda of creating a PUBLIC LIBRARY system. Copyrights and education belong to corporations, not the public

  • @commode7x this is sarcasm, correct?

  • Obamacare is a crap idea. America has one of the best health care systems in the world. It's not perfect, everyone knows that. But Obama's solution is even worse.

  • all that needs to be done is allow states to compete and put caps on bogus mal-practice lawsuites, that would cut down on doctors insurance prices and therefore drive down cost. why worry with insurance when doctors should be cheaper, cut out the middle man, i would much rather walk in pay a set fee and see a doctor.

  • I just dont want the government to decide if i get care or not since to them I'm not important because I am disabled.

  • This is a stupid attempt to make a point. The congress had a year to put together a clear health care reform bill and failed, even with one party controlling both parties and the executive branch. Who else is there to blame for that failure? The Senate and the House could not even agree on several issues within their bills. Don't fall for the simplistic notion that all they had to do was "pass a health care reform bill" and everything would be fine. Wake up. Get a clue.

  • "Don't fall for the simplistic notion that ALL they had to do was 'pass a health care reform bill'

    This part says it all

  • I agree. The Republicans had a year to make amendments for the bill and all they did was just try and block any legislation.

    The Republicans are right. There's no way that we can get health care reform unless we make sure that we don't get health care reform.

  • What do you mean "... all they did was just try and block any legislation."? That is incorrect. Learn the facts. Republicans had plenty of amendments which didn't see the light of day because the Democrats controlled both houses and didn't need Republican support on this. But the Dems couldn't agree among themselves. ... and they wasted a whole year. Plus, they just don't get how this bill, plus Cap and Trade, undermine the economy by discouraging businesses to grow. Obama is a terrible leader.

  • Plenty of amendments don't see the light of day, Republican, Libertarian, and Democratic alike, but some of the Republican amendments actually got in. Tax cuts, tort reform, and a committee that Republicans wanted.

    Then they turned around after their amendments got in and wanted to start over and stop the whole process.

  • @commode7x Just one more note, you do realize the Republicans have been suggesting stuff this entire time? They actually had a second bill drafted up and the libs wouldn't even look at it. You people are so ignorant. I thought socialism was a good idea when I was 6 then I grew up and realized I should take care of myself not expect others to do it. Maybe you'll grow up some day too.

  • @spider87 Maybe I don't want to grow up. Maybe I want to stay in the realm of ideals, where I don't have to face the reality that you have to steal, cheat, and lie in order to survive.

    Unfortunately, the world of ideals just isn't the system that exists. The Republicans, much like the Communist party here at home, have become far too influenced by business interests. Just like how the "500 year plan" is just a cheap political move, the Republican "Health Care Plan" is largely unworkable.

  • there is alot more behind the scenes than meets the eye.... you have no idea what the fuck you are even talking about... please research actually facts with real substance before you spew your ignorant bullshit

  • What I notice is one doctor has 5 people working for them tryign to do the billing. Who pays for them to push all that paper that I have to pay for!

  • Comment removed

  • propaganda for people with weak minds.

  • And weak bodies

  • hahha propaganda for weak minds.... lol you must watch glenn beck... ignorant retard

  • that guy at :42 had ebola

  • 0:25

    Is that Jam?

  • Funny. But no one's against changing the subsidies of healthcare as they currently exist. The unlimited tax free employer tax breaks should be capped, and that money used to subsidize the low income folks, perhaps through a privatized Medicaid. Tort reform is necessary: even Howard Dean admitted Dem cowardice in refusing to take on trial lawyers.

    Bush's Medicare Part D covered more people at below estimates. Obama/Pelosi/Reid are too stupid to incorporate that good result into their own plan.

  • obama SUX DICK were better off with mcain

  • @AdidasBoy711

    So True! I dont want the fucking government controlling my health! If you want good health, fucking get a good job and stop relying on the government to baby you

  • Not everyone can get a good job. If that could happen, everyone would be making tons of money, which would make money worthless, which would mean everyone was poor. Why are Americans so hateful toward one another? I hope something serious comes your way and your insurance doesn't cover it. Then maybe you would understand that the health care is about taking care of the NATION, not babying people.

  • What country are you from? Do you realize that 25% of Americans already have gov't health care through Medicare and Medicaid? And it's subsidized by American tax payers? Most Americans are not hateful toward one another or anyone, but we get tired of paying everybody else's bills. Other countries want our help, the poor want to be given what they can't earn, but what do successful Americans get? Criticism, contempt, and ever increasing taxes. It's not the gov't's job to take care of people.

  • @janetbot agreed, and not all of us Americans hate each other. some of us are quite loving, open-minded, and understanding... Unfortunately there are a few bad apples that i'm sure make the rest of the world think we're all fucking nuts.

  • I LOVE IT....LMAO!!!!

  • No one denies that the health care system needs adjustment. That doesn't mean we need to eliminate all insurance options and let the government run it. If people cannot afford health insurance (or choose not to pay for it) who is going to pay for their 'free' coverage? Remember the government has to take before it can give.

  • Another day another 122 Americans dead from treatable conditions. Sacrificed to the for profit health care system all.

  • @SonnyDay54304 another day....another idiot on youtube thinking they know something.

  • @Lolly82683

    Yes you REALLY should stop posting.

  • @SonnyDay54304 That's great. Did you think that up all by yourself? Or did you get that off the news, too?

  • @SonnyDay54304 to the for profit health care system all? English??

    also, 247 Americans died a day before the healthcare bill.

  • "Our founding forefathers doesnt care about the sick"..LOL

  • mega LOL

  • "We all agree our current system doesn't work" do we? With 80% of people happy with their coverage and provider? Anything that makes 80% of people happy in this country is a rousing success. Of the remaining 20%, how many have coverage but aren't happy with some aspect of it?

    I realize this is just a stupid hit-piece but when you lie, how about not insulting our intelligence in the process?

    Just a thought.

  • 98% of all statistics are made up on the spot, including 100% of yours.

  • Just following the mantra, are you? Sticking your fingers in your ears to want everyone to hate their heath insurers?

    Perhaps you'd like to check gallup's site?

    /poll/102934/majority-american­s-satisfied-their-own-healthca­re.aspx 50% + 33% = 83% -- so I stand corrected, it's 83%, not 80%

  • This was weirdly funny and interesting.

  • Obama isn't a doctor?!

    SHIT!

  • LOL!

  • Well, i think i will never understand why americans dont want to chance a health care that no one in world understand... the richest nation on earth spend milions in bullets but dont want spend any to take care of fellows citizens (bad english sorry)

  • @ArmandoASG completely agree. my country might not be rich but here everyone is treated regardless of how much money they have. health care is essential and all citizens of every nation worldwide should be able to get it. Go Barack Obama. 

  • @ArmandoASG I totally agree. God damn our racist population, we'll do anything to disagree with obama.

  • @ArmandoASG I agree. Let's NOT have Obamacare as no one can understand that and just privatize the whole health care. Get rid of gov and get rid of ins cos and have it 100% between business person and consumer. The competition will lead to max quality and min costs. & frankly Gov should spend money on bullets for its police & military to stop bad people including terrorists, but gov as health care giver is incompetent./

  • @Aegius the fact that YOU can't understand the changes doesn't mean the rest of us can't. If the government shouldn't be in the business of keeping people alive, then there's no reason why it should be in the business of killing people either, so we shouldn't allow it to administer a police/military force. If privatization leads to max quality and min costs, then apply that principle across the board and get rid of the army/navy/marines/air force, too.

  • @bintalshamsa "If the government shouldn't be in the business of keeping people alive, then there's no reason why it should be in the business of killing people either, so we shouldn't allow it to administer a police/military force." Gov runs by coercion and that means killing as that occurs in arresting via police or engaging in warfare. Coercion doesn't necessarily mean saving lives except at best certain emergency situations. & There are some things that ONLY gov can do such as war & justice

  • @bintalshamsa Killing and saving lives are separate activities that don't necessarily relate to each other. Doctors are in the business of saving lives, but are not in the business of killing. Would you like them to murder a person for every person that they saved then? Gov is about coercion and that may mean killing. Gov in health care has proven incompetent and it really should be best left to the private sector. ?: Where has gov improved quality & minimized cost?

  • @Aegius

    Actually, government health care is very efficient! Little administration, no insurance bs...so much of the resources of health care go towards paperwork. Thats why the US has THE most expensive health care, but was somewhere down near cuba in the last WHO by-country rankings :)

  • @jonblaze32 No. A lot of administration, waste, long waits and shortages. That is gov-run health care. I'm not a fan of Ins cos. The US has one of the most expensive health care, b/c 1)we have the highest technology available per person on the planet 2)we don't allow interstate boundaries to be overcome. 3)Screw the WHO. They put UK(system falling apart. Now privatizing, b/c there is no money to pay for it.), Monaco and Colombia ahead of us on health care. & Cuba's system is utterly deplorable.

  • @jonblaze32 I forgot to add that doctors and other health care professionals leave the profession in droves, b/c there is no money to be made and people don't enter the profession, b/c the pay won't cover the costs of educational expenses. Besides countries w/gov-run health care are privatizing, b/c the money has run out and people are fed up w/long waits and shortages.

  • @Aegius you are sadly misinformed.

  • @retrovanilla Here get yourself informed: watch?v=_sCayRhRimg Obamacare is a disaster just like Romneycare in MA just like all the failures of gov-run health care in ME, TN and HI. Failure and bankruptcy: that's the end game of gov-run health care. BTW, they do have a shortage of health care professionals in UK, Canada and elsewhere as described. I'm not misinformed. YOU ARE!

  • @Aegius We have a shortage of healthcare professionals... that's not because of "socialist" healthcare... it's due to the growing population. eg. nurses are so hard to find that some hospitals pay for the education of students in exchange for a min. # of yrs commitment to work at their facility after they graduate.

  • @bluestems We have a shortage of professionals, b/c the market isn't allowed to determine wages. Gov & ins companies determine wages for health care professionals. When wages are below market price, less people would enter than otherwise. Thanks to Obamacare putting caps on health care professionals' pay, there will be LESS health care professionals and greater shortages of them. Besides the new pay won't allow them to repay the bills from their education.

  • @Aegius This is false. The new regulations put in place by Congress (that people like to call "obamacare") has nothing to do with regulating the wages of anyone. THAT IS FALSE.

  • @bluestems I'm not going to waste my time reading 2400 pages of material that is nearly impossible to understand. Yes, the new laws have to do w/pay cuts as salaries of doctors and other health care professionals now have caps on them. & you are the one who has been duped into thinking that ins cos are against this. Hello? We are FORCED to be their customers by the IRS. The ins cos also get to max the prices, b/c they don't have to worry about competition.cont...

  • @Aegius the link I gave you was an overview... sorry you can't "waste your time" to check out the facts of what was passed, like:

    no pre-existing denials for children

    $250 rebate to seniors

    tax credit to help small businesses with offering healthcare to employees

    yea, what a waste of your time to find out the truth... *sarcasm*

  • @bluestems You forgot to include the $500 billion removed from Medicare for seniors and costs of premiums going up as children and others are now forced upon cost to provide. You forgot about mandates upon companies that force them to not hire people or fire people, which already has happened. & BTW, why are small businesses OPPOSED to Obamacare. Oh yeah, they don't want to be forced to provide ins via gov either to increase costs. That's the truth. Gov-run health care is awful.

  • @Aegius wtf are you talking about? You should "waste your time" and actually read at least the overview of what the new healthcare reform is:

    ww w .healthcare. g ov

    and stop spewing FALSE information that you are most likely regurgitating from faux news.

  • @bluestems I didn't go to Fox News. Nice try. I'll go to private sources on OBamacare as private sources have been more accurate in showing what gov will do than gov sources. Thanks. Premiums have already gone up and jobs have been sacrificed. In MA private plans are being dropped for public plans which don't cover costs as employers can't afford the plans altogether. More than 200,000 people in MA don't have ins and the state is going bankrupt. That is the future of Obamacare. Failure &bankrupt

  • @Aegius how is the MA plan and the new Federal regulations the same? how are they different? do you KNOW?

  • @Aegius did you "private sources" also tell you that the gov't would be controlling wages too? Your sources are lying to you.

    hmmm, wonder why they would do that? Maybe someone's obscene profits are at risk???

  • @bluestems Here is a question: Where has gov involvement in the economy ever lowered costs and increased quality? Oh, yeah. No where.

  • @Aegius seriously? Did you go to a public school? Send a letter via usps? Need the assistance of (or know someone who did) a police office or fire fighter? Drive on a road? Use indoor plumbing served by a public sewer? Enjoy water from a shower head pumped into your house? Borrow a library book? Play on a playground? Vacation at a national park?

    gee, yes, all these things cost money and yet improve the quality of our lives. Can they be improved? yes. would I throw them away? no.

  • @bluestems Public schools? YEah, that really has worked well! NOT! The USPS is going bankrupt and being replaced by UPS, FedEx as they don't operate in the red, like USPS does. I'll take private plumbing. Thank you. Of course I don't oppose police & fire depts. Emergency & crime are the perview of gov, not the private sector, but beyond that the gov is nearly always incompetent, costly and wasteful.

  • @bluestems In the case of the EPA the EPA declared CO2 as a pollutant. Did you know that sitting there you are polluting then? I don't favor getting rid of the EPA, but drastically cutting it down. Same w/the FCC. The real truth about the environment is that capitalists were the first to be concerned about it as they wanted their private property protected from pollutants and to be clean and preserved.

  • @Aegius I happen to think the quality of life in America is pretty good. There are things that need improving... like our HEALTHCARE ;) but I'm do not advocate throwing the 'baby out with the bath water' as the saying goes. The reform for healthcare helps the majority of Americans with better insurance (and includes new regulation to prevent rate spikes). Some disagree with it, but please take the time to understand it first. (from the source, not from misinformation) ww w. healthcare. g ov

  • @Aegius Maybe take a moment to read what the actual bill does and when:

    ht tp:/ / w ww. healthcare. go v/law/timeline/index.ht ml

  • @Aegius yes, you are very misinformed. Google this article that dispells myths about different healthcare in other countries: "5 Myths About Health Care Around the World" By T.R. Reid

  • @bluestems Go read on Thomas Sowell on health care in other countries. I read a lot on things. BTW, which state has the highest premiums in the country? Answer: MA. The state is also going bankrupt from skyrocketing costs and there are massive shortages. UK, Germany, Canada and even Cuba are all privatizing. Around the world the norm is privatization of health care as that is the only means of covering costs. & screw the WHO which puts Cuba next to us on health care & Colombia above us.

  • @bluestems Reid points out people going bankrupt in USA from health care. Yeah, UK, France & other countries are just going bankrupt in part due to skyrocketing health care costs. There are long lines if one checks other sources. The prob w/USA health care is that consumers aren't allowed to purchase across state lines for ins and serious probs w/ tort reform. & Screw the WHO.

  • @Aegius If you look closely at your sources you'll most likely find big insurance companies behind the "studies". My friends living abroad & wouldn't trade their healthcare for ours. Countries like Japan and Germany have privatized programs that work well, but profit is not the obscene amount it is in the states. I have no problem with companies making profit, but not at the billions in profits at the cost of people's lives. It's basic ethics.

  • @bluestems Ins cos FAVORED Obamacare, b/c they wanted gov to mandate health ins to people. They wanted people not to be able to access interstate commerce. The profit margin of ins cos is only 2.2% and that's obscene? Why is profit obscene anyway? Profits are what create wealth and build the economy. We don't have complete private health care. In fact it now is mostly socialised. How about we get gov out of it more instead of putting it in more? That's what is really obscene. Too much gov.

  • @Aegius that's another myth. ins companies do not favor healthcare reform as it requires that they actually pay for coverage they currently deny. The current reform policy is fair however in that it allows for everyone to get affordable coverage, therefore there is a pool of healthy people to balance those who need medical care. That's how cos make profit...either deny sick people care they need or get a balance. We'll all need care at some point, and getting preventative care early on helps.

  • @bluestems Yes ins cos favor Obama's health care "reform", b/c it forces us to be their customers per the ins mandate and prevents competition between cos from outside the state. Premiums have gone up, not down due to the forcing people to purchase the health ins premiums. That makes care LESS affordable, not more. Forcing companies w/mandates also makes them less willing to hire as costs for hiring go up. That means less people w/jobs & less w/ins and care.

  • @Aegius that's incorrect. the reason ins. companies want to sell across state lines is so they can setup in the states with the least amount of regulation and sell anywhere. Look at medicare... only 6% overhead (still high compared to other countries, like Japan) no shortage of doctors or long wait lines, 95% of elderly have it and LIKE it. Provisions like Bush's Medicare part D screw it up for more profit to ins cos another thing the current reform fixes.

  • @bluestems Ins cos don't want allowing for selling across state lines is b/c they don't want the competition and the prices to plummet due to the competition. Yes, let's have min regulation so that means costs plummet too. YEAH! Medicare does have shortages as it doesn't cover costs and doctors including at the Mayo clinic aren't paying for it. It's broke and worthless now. I agree on Medicare D. Let the private sector handle drugs and get rid of the FDA.

  • @bluestems Further there are cuts of Medicare by $500 billion for the elder and that further makes care less affordable for the elderly who really need it more than anyone else. Obamacare is ongoing disaster with increasing costs and the consumers being screwed.

  • @Aegius FALSE again... and the consumer is being screwed now. I find it interesting how the PR machine by the ins cos have successfully convinced people like you to fight against your own best interest to maintain their profits.

  • @bluestems Don't make me laugh about regulations. Regulations don't improve quality. They only INCREASE COST and prevent innovation that would increase quality. Competition increases quality, b/c competitors are forced to compete for customers, so they have to constantly improve quality to keep their customers. That's how it really works. You are the one who has been duped, by Dem propoganda. Let customers have access to ALL 1300 companies and quality will improve & costs will plummet. F--- regs

  • @Aegius So then, you'd prefer we go back to no regulations... let corporations spew as much smoke and pollutants into the air and water as they please. Let children work in sweat shops, locked so they can't escape in case of fire. Regulations usually help the people, bringing balance and ethics to corporate greed.

  • @bluestems I don't favor getting rid of the EPA. As for child labor it mostly died out due to inefficiency of labor and growth of schooling, not due to laws and regulations. As for sweat shops we already have anti-slavery laws on the books. Besides did you know that only 3% of people were in unions in 1900? Laws and regulations didn't improve the work place conditions. Competition among employers for employees did with wages going up 2 to 3 fold, hours declining & conditions improving w/o regs.

  • @Aegius so then, you're ok with some regulations. So what of the new healthcare regulations do u not like: no pre-existing exclusions for children? or maybe you don't like the new law that lets people appeal denials from insurance companies? or the one that eliminates insurance companies practice of reciding coverage (canceling a policy), usually due to some bogus claim of error or pre-existing condition right when a person is seriously sick.

    which of those do you not like?

  • @bluestems "no pre-existing exclusions for children?" Ins cos may have good reason for denial of kids in some cases. Let the market determine it solely, so that costs are minimized. "or maybe you don't like the new law that lets people appeal denials from insurance companies?" Forcing demand whether through forcing kids to get health ins or forcing ins to provide anything increases costs for everyone. Let all 1300 ins cos compete and then premiums will decline w/cos seeking customers instead.

  • @bluestems I'll tell you what I really want: no gov, no ins cos. Just doctors and patients dealing with each other directly. & I don't want a massive system of bureaucracies of more than 150 agencies to determine my health care. I want that between myself and my doctor. Screw the gov.

  • @bluestems I'll tell you what I really want: no gov, no ins cos. Just doctors and patients dealing with each other directly. & I don't want a massive system of bureaucracies of more than 150 agencies to determine my health care. I want that between myself and my doctor. Screw the gov.

  • @Aegius "we the people" ARE the govt. Screw yourself, then?

    No, we need to get the greed and corruption out of OUR gov't and return it to us, the people. Free market balanced with sensible regulation is what we need. No gov't=Somalia.

    If Somalia is what you want, then by all means.... go. I hear they even send out nice welcoming parties in boats to greet you. =)

  • @bluestems "We the people" elect people who are the gov. We also don't elect the agencies as Congress sets them up. Yes let's get rid of greed & corruption from our gov: get rid of several depts such as Education, HUD, Energy and many agencies in various depts. Free market made us rich, not regulations. Regulations prevent the free market from operating and really mostly just bring added gov costs and abuse.

  • @Aegius Yes, we DID elect people who are the gov. ;)

    For the majority of us who DID elect this gov... we are happy with the progress being made. We want more.

  • @Aegius Here is an excellent article that talks about how the rich and powerful Koch family has manipulated American politics since the early 1900s, setting up "private sources" like CATO Institute to create "independent studies" that only support their corporate interests, often against the best interests of the public. Please read it.

    ww w.newyorker. c om/ reporting/ 2010/ 08/ 30/ 100830fa_fact_mayer

  • @bluestems The prob with drugs is that there are too many regulations, too many laws and too much testing. THat prevents drug companies from putting new drugs onto the market as it becomes too expensive to put them on. 1)Get rid of Medicare. D. 2)Get rid of the FDA as it admitted to being incompetent. Let the states handle consumer protection on food and drugs instead.

  • @Aegius These countries are not going bankrupt due to healthcare.They pay LESS than we do for our healthcare. Whether we pay in taxes for medicare, or out of pocket for private insurance, WE STILL PAY. Difference is, how much more do you want to keep paying private insurance companies' CEO's annual million dollar paychecks while they deny or cancel policies for people when they actually need it. Unless you are a CEO at one of these companies, not supporting healthcare reform only hurts u.

  • @bluestems What I want is for consumers to have access to all 1300 ins cos by being allowed to go across state lines. THat will massively increase the supply and when supply is increased, price plummets. CEO salaries are determined in negotiations by companies & their skills are highly valued and nearly unique. That's why they cost so much. The reform of Obama hurts everyone except ins cos as premiums are going up due to forced demand. Already premiums on early 20s have gone up by 17%. cont...

  • @Aegius If you think that the government should provide us with a military, then you're making the argument that privatization isn't the solution when we're talking about issues of life and death. You can't have it both ways, so which position are you going to take?

  • @bintalshamsa & who other than the gov can provide us with a military? A private mercenary force? Mercenaries cannot be relied upon as Machiavelli learned the hard way. Volunteer armies work best. There are some things that ONLY gov can do. You can't privatize the courts or legislatures either.