Funny. I was actually thinking about cancelling my health insurance and then killing myself if I had to go to the hospital just a couple a months ago. Stupid health insurance crooks. I loathe and despise them so.
very clever song and sadly I see this might be a reality within our "lifetime"
I feel very sorry for US citizens and their healthcare rip off.
In the UK we have a great satirical songwriter and performer called Tim Minchin who you should all check out. ( He caused a stir in Texas when a company wouldn't deliver a piano for one of his gigs- they called him a God Hater because he's an atheist and it made the headlines!)
I love the expression of the guy behind him while he is hitting that horrid high note at the beginning of the song. It's priceless! I think the song is hilarious, and maybe it should be a wakeup call for those people who have a problem with a national health care policy because it is, heaven forbid, "socialized medicine"! More please!
@montiac712 He does. In fact, on his website (and Youtube page), Tom Lehrer shows nothng but praise for him. To quote him, "I congratulate Roy Zimmerman on bringing literacy back to comedy songs. And the rhymes actually rhyme, they don't just 'rhyne.'" I also know that Roy has talked with him on occasion as well.
You're the one who is clueless. You just insulted me out of the blue because you assumed you know what my opinions are on subjects I never even mentioned. Do you think that every person in the US has the same opinion on everything? I have nothing against socialized medicine, and am quite aware of what a failure our war on drugs has been. We have more people in jail per capita than any other country because or jails are packed full of non-violent offenders.
I'm not sure who you think you're talking to. My comment was making fun of Phillip Morris for bragging about saving a country money by killing off people before they recieved the benifits from the government when they got old, and people at Phillip Morris not understanding why people were offended by them bragging about saving the country by killing people. I never stated an opinion on the tax or socialized health care.
There were actually people at Phillip Morris who didn't understand why people were offended by them bragging that they were saving that country money by making people die younger, and didn't know why the people in charge of Phillip Morris ordered them to not talk about the study anymore.
Funny thing is, some country with socialized health care was going to raise taxes on cigarettes because they figured that smokers cost the country more because of medical costs and the people at Phillip Morris did a very costly in depth study that found out that smokers actually saved the country money by killing over before they got retirement benifits and other non-smoking medical problems. (cont.)
@Primalxbeast Are you another clueless victim of the US health industry's media campaign? Try to think for yourself Primal. In my country, the people elected (60 yrs ago)the politicians to create a health service in service to the people as a whole--to improve health and prolong life. The quality of healthcare including all the failings and fuck ups is part of the public debate. And it delivers. Our(conservative)prime minister is a total supporter because we want him to be; it is our will.
@Primalxbeast So when the UK government heavily taxes alcohol and tobacco it is to preserve the health of the population ,as the law directs. The Stuff isnt banned--just expensive.(ciggies about $8 a pack for example). And before you waste any time telling me about the big brother state, do you know how much the US spends on the so called War on Drugs? Stopping people smoking pot etc.Because it's bad for them? Figure I found was $40 billion a year..and rising. Guess who pays for that? In taxes?
Funny, I'm just seeing this for the first time. If I'd known you were going to get 18.000 hits, I would've gotten out whatever it was in my eye before you started singing! Hope all's good with you, Roy. Thanks and congrats for all the good work.
This song is now reality. The last increase in insurance cost in California - going directly that way, 39% up, in time of recession. Vic Chesnutt did commit suicide over excessive medical bills.
I have the guitar part pretty much figured out (I know they are a few errors), so if that's what you're looking for just drop me a message. If it's the vocal part, sorry man, you're on your own.
Roy has a brilliant cleverness that shines in each of his songs. This one particularly tickles me. Saw him live last Friday and it was one of the best performances I've ever seen. He sings each and every song as if he's performing the show of his life.
An Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker has quit the Church of Scientology after 35 years over the organization's tolerance of "gay-bashing," its lying over the use of "disconnection," and its decision to release the intimate confessions of some of its former members who turned into critics.
Paul Haggis, who won an Oscar for the movie Crash, made his decision to leave the controversial religion in August.
We're making a collective CD of our Starbucks store. Every person submits one song. This is mine. I'm also giving him America, Creation Science 101, Abstain With Me and Jerry Falwell's God to give the boss a 'choice' of which one to put on the cd. He, and everyone else at work, know how much I love Roy. My boss is afraid the health coverage song will be inappropriate (WHAT?!?), so I'm giving him an option of various songs so he'll see how inappropriate (to him) those I'd like to also submit are.
Laugh out loud funny as usual.... I would not put any thing past the blood sucking insurance companies. They are on the fast track of being worse than the credit card companies which have unilaterally raised everyone's interest rates simply because they can...THERE'S A SONG FOR YOU ROY.*(!)
Interesting herb0001, I too am a free market libertarian, and I think Roy is GREAT! I think that he and I have the same humanitarian heart and goals, we just have different ideas about how to achieve those goals.
I have to say, although I don't agree with many of Roy's political views (I'm a free market libertarian), he is a very talented songwriter and satirist, and his songs are incredibly catchy.
I have a kind of stupid question. Maybe Im just reading into it too much....Ive watched several times because its so enjoyable...but when he says "dont jerk, just squeeze", what exactly is he referring to? I assume its the trigger of a gun, but Im not sure...
Right. The common term I knew was "dont pull" not "jerk"....so it threw me off, but in a perhaps unintentional way, 'jerk' has a humorous double meaning.
I think he might do occasionally. There's nothing upcoming (at least not mentioned on his website), but I think I remember seeing something a while ago about him having done gigs in Britain.
wow...the ad that came up when i started 'Dear Number....' was to join the Newt Gingrich free newsletter. YouTube needs to check their algorithm apparently....
It seems so strange that our lawless lawmakers would repeat mistakes like allowing tobacco to still be sold though it kills millions of Americans each decade. Now they stand by while milllions have a rotten life or die because of no health care. Our politicians are full of dead men's bones while declaring themselves pure as driven snow.
We have no economic future without health care. There isn't much current innovation because start-up companies can't afford health care.
I think the youtube comments system needs to be changed. I have no idea who most of these people are directing their comments towards. It seems that replies just go where ever they want.
Good song though. My number is actually 103692405888.
Why do stupid conservative rednecks seem to think they have to defend the rights of incredibly rich and exploitative corporate people to take their money, pay them peanuts, and hoard the equivalent of the combined salaries of every employee in their company in their own personal account?
I never did understand that mentality. "They deserve my money more than I do. I dont mind paying more for stuff, I'd just waste my money anyway."
Because they are stupid conservative rednecks? They can't even adapt to the metric system. The believe the world was created in six days, virgins can have babies, and that prayer will get you better birthday presents. At the same time they believe that Climate Change is a myth and dinosaurs never existed. Pretty scary shit isn't it?
Universal health care is one of the greatest freedoms that people have in all western countries except for one. That country is the USA, The laughing stock of the industrialized world. The system is so good that every single Conservative Political Party in the Western World is in favour of it, except one. The proof is in the pudding our people don't die from curable illness because they cannot afford it. The USA's do, I pity America and the people who endure such madness
Same thing in Finland - always had access to a doctor, paid a yearly fee to the city, should I need health services that year (and it's on the order of 20 euros, so not bad), and even the expensive meds are on the order of 20 - 30 bucks a month.
It's pretty sad that it's possible to pay yourself sick for health insurance in the US and still be financially fucked should you get pneumonia. ;-/
Over here it's cured with a free visit to the hospital and a 10e pack of meds.
Enough of this. All I know is the following: Lived in Germany 10 years. Germany spends ca. 10% of its GDP on healthcare and covers everyone. US spends ca. 16% of its (bigger) GDP on healthcare and does not cover all its citizens. Never once waited in 10 years. Family never once waited, Never HEARD of anyone waiting for healthcare services in 10 years. Does the US provide "better" healthcare? No. Lokk at international comparisons. We spend more and get less.
What might start making health care affordable would be say charging $400 instead of $2000 for an MRI or $40 instead of $150 for a doctor visit. This could easily make healthcare affordable to Americans. The AMA, however says otherwise and has stifled any kind of reform like this.
I would have to disagree with you. Reducing the cost in the way you speak of would only serve to make healthcare more affordable for a certain section of Americans. A large section of the population would still be unable to afford it, therefore not fixing the problem.
Ahhhh. My guess was that it is the US national deficit for 2050 assuming current trends in the price of healthcare and growth of the aged population. Close.
It's called Darwinism; survival of the wealthiest. If scientist would let nature work and do her job properly, we wouldn't have this problem of people living so long. :-) Socialism only works if we eliminate human nature. Any suggestions????
Sigh. That's not Darwinism, and the human nature thing makes no sense. Another part of human nature is the urge to help others, which is pretty much what the 'socialism' you're referring to, is.
No, that's altruism. No other lie is so despicable as the claim humans tend towards charity. "Ask not what your country can do for you! You've got to think of the state! The poor! Think what you can do for god!" etc. If every man acted in his own self interest he would find that peace and openness with his fellow man is the cornerstone of progress and growth.
You're right, that is altruism, but many institutions of 'socialism' (in brackets because the phrase is used by right wingers to scare not inform) are based upon the concept. For example universal healthcare. But it seems that we disagree fundamentally. You believe that humans tend toward selfishness, i believe they tend toward helping each other. This informs both of our opinions pertaining to how the country should be run.
"Any time a man wishes for someone else to do their work, they call upon altruism. 'Never mind YOUR needs, think of the needs of...' whoever. The poor? the state? the army? the king? god? The list goes on and on. How many catastrophes were launched with the words 'think of yourself'? It's the king and country crowd who light the torch of destruction. It is this great inversion, this ancient lie which has chained humanity to an endless cycle of guilt and failure."
That's just plain dumb or you're one of the new generation that has been stupefied by bull shit and under educated. Enjoying those video games are you? Wouldn't it be nice to have the government raze taxes on the rich so it could give you the latest game every month? Or maybe you wouldn't mind them forcing you to purchase a game each month from your local government owned game manufacturer at a price they tell you to pay? How long do you expect to remain an individual?
I would reply to your comment with reasoned argument and treat it as an intellectual debate, but what you said doesn't allow me to do so. You've already made assumptions about me based on your preconseptions and this limits argument. Any point i make will be seen by you through a lense of 'he's just saying this because he is young and ill educated'. So you understand, i see no point in arguing with somone who has already made up their mind.
Sorry David; should have checked to see what country you were in. If socialism is working so well for you over there then why are so many of your countrymen coming over here? You do seem to have a sheltered life though.
See you're doing it again. This time you say that in Britain we have socialism when that's not the case, and that i live a sheltered life although you don't know me outside this debate. The only reason you say i am 'sheltered' is because i disagree with the way you view the world. I will note however that net immigration to the UK is higher than from the UK and the numbers for Britain to America and visa versa are very similar, so do not aid your point.
You know what, never mind. I'm done with this, count it as a victory if you like. It seems clear that you're not arguing logic, you're just...well I'm not quite sure what you're doing. Whatever it is, I'll not be replying to you any more, i have grown up conversations to tend to.
No it wouldn't. I'd rather get a job earn a living and pay for the games out of pocket knowing someone else isn't forking dough out to pay for my hobbies.
If you think health care is bad now ,just wait until it's free. The efficiancy of the DMV and Post Office at Pentagon prices,means long lines, rationed care and early deaths for you losers who depend on goverment. I am so glad I'm wealthy enough to pay extra. National socialism is the goal of the left; I hope you choke on it.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Dear me...all the people who are worried about getting sick, not having health care or being able to go to the doctor, and all the people who have or do now actually choose sometimes between medicine and meals BEWARE!!.
What you really need to worry about is...Socialism.
*CobinRain* "BEWARE! What you really need to worry about is...Socialism"
Oh puh-leeeze. That is one tired old straw-man you're holding up there. National health care does not equal Socialism.
The Capitalist health (non) care system has left us paying the most, and getting ridiculously little access to actual health care for all of our money.
most reasonable people see that some elements of a Socialist approach are vastly better for society than pure unregulated greed, er, Capitalism.
There is no capitalism in the healthcare industry, it's so highly regulated that a switch from private to state owned would mean an infinitesimal difference. No, what we need to do is deregulate it. Make it so that anyone can open up shop in the healthcare market and undercut the tycoons.
Pfft, yeah, open competition, the prospect of cheaper healthcare while creating jobs, the forcing of mainstream providers to become accountable to their customers, the ability to have a diverse choice of services depending on your situation. I'm completely crazy to think *that's* a good idea.
25 years ago the president of Connecticut General Insurance told me "We are not in the business of paying claims. We are in the business of collecting premiums."
My mom, being a doctor, had an interesting response to this song. She wasn't glad that Roy and others like him support better government-funded healthcare; she actually thought the complete opposite.
But, the opening bar did made her smile. I think she'll come around.
Because of the medication I am on, I cannot get coverage with any healthplan save one that does not cover ANY of my medication, dentistry, eyeglasses, or anything particularly useful besides regular doctor's visits. I have various internal illnesses and a few neurological, but because of our wonderful healthcare system, I can't really pay any attention to them or try to fix myself so long as the healthcare system is the way it is. One month of the medication I NEED is 600 bucks.
you know it seems like he is against government health care (altough i doubt it since he is liberal...) because only when everyone else pays for your health care does you getting sick make people groan at paying bills... if it's you who pays then the people getting paid are happy... you will hopefully be happy once you're cured and everyone else is happy because they didn't pay for ya.
Unless of course you can't afford to pay for it, in which case no-ones happy. Not you, you're still sick, not the people getting paid who now get nothing, and not society, which suffers from people being ill.
The thing that annoys me about this issue is that many people assume the state is looking out for its people - that politicians are less greedy and self-centered than corporate executives, when in fact, they are not. Politicians work WITH corporations, not against them, to increase the wealth of both parties, while the average citizen is getting fucked in the ass. This is called fascism. There is no reason to suppose that politicians care about you. None at all.
I haven't yet seen anyone argue that politicians can't be greedy or self interested. The point is that when it's a private system, self interest and profit are the entire goal. Not so with state provided amenities, where the goal of the state is to provide a service, even if come politicians are corrupt. The difference is that greed and desire for profit are inherent with private businesses, but not inherent with state run services.
Yes, they are. You're saying that, 'Oh, maybe politicians are greedy, but not as much as corporations.' Says who? Just because the state (the collection of various politicians in charge of YOUR LIFE) claims to care about you doesn't mean it's true. Profit and political maneuvering are always the goals of politicians (for all practical purposes, ignoring, for the sake of argument, a small percentage of well-meaning office-holders). You're just thinking wishfully.
Just because YOU would be honest and I would be honest doesn't make others honest. You're giving these people too much credibility. For years politicians have been forming alliances with corporations and helping create monopolies. The CIA has helped overthrow democratically-elected presidents of other countries if our leadership disagreed with the business goals of such administrations. This is history, man. Nothing new. They want for their own, and don't give a fuck about you.
No, actually. What i'm saying is that with corporations, their goal, their sole purpose, is the accumulation of profit. That's the only reason they exist. Therefore greed is inherent in any system they operate. The function of the state however, is to govern, which involves looking after the governed. I'm not saying that politicians can't be greedy, i'm saying it isn't an inherent trait of the state. Two very different positions.
That's the only reason any institution exists, including organized religions. The state is no different. Government is a complex things and can take many forms in various situations, but no state is necessary. There's no such thing as one person who can accurately represent another. Each individual must represent him or herself. You're operating under the assumption that the state is valid in some sense. I am not restrained to that view.
It's not a restraint, I can assure you of that. But not being an Anarchist, I do recognise the necessity of the state. Validity is another issue. Where then, is the does the validity of corporations?
By validity I mean authority. If the state isn't necessary it isn't valid. And I don't like corporatism, to be clear. I believe it is as rampant as it is because of the state, and there are many reasons it works out the way it does. Monopolies couldn't happen if it weren't for the state, at least not like this. I do believe private industry to be the principle and natural solution to many of our problems, but that doesn't mean I support Walmart. It's more complex than that.
I agree, many monopolies couldn't happen were it not for democratically elected politicians helping them out. Of course, if the politicians who helped them were elected with your vote, or worse yet you didn't vote at all, then if you want to know who to blame you should look in the mirror.
The problem is the false idea that anyone can accurately represent you or me, much less everyone at once. The state just doesn't work the way you purport it to work. It doesn't matter if these people can get votes. That just means they're good salesmen. Statements like yours are what politicians depend on to stay in power. We're talking about human nature here. Look at history and see how the state intermingles with corporations around the world to form monopolies and oppress people.
Funny. I was actually thinking about cancelling my health insurance and then killing myself if I had to go to the hospital just a couple a months ago. Stupid health insurance crooks. I loathe and despise them so.
GenerationX1984 1 week ago
The guy laughing in the background is Jason Luckett. His stuff sounds good! Look him up!
David314159265358979 2 weeks ago
Him and Tim Minchin are the best and most witty musical performers of this generation. And they're both atheists.....coincidence?
RockBanned 2 weeks ago 2
@RockBanned Almost certainly.
Makingnewnamesisdumb 4 days ago
Where can we find a copy of the lyrics?
InsertName125 1 month ago
very clever song and sadly I see this might be a reality within our "lifetime"
I feel very sorry for US citizens and their healthcare rip off.
In the UK we have a great satirical songwriter and performer called Tim Minchin who you should all check out. ( He caused a stir in Texas when a company wouldn't deliver a piano for one of his gigs- they called him a God Hater because he's an atheist and it made the headlines!)
butterflyhugsopera 1 month ago
One of the funniest serious men on the planet.
Perigaeum 1 month ago
The guy behind him makes this so much funnier :D
Intel1502 4 months ago 15
"and when you're dead and buried you'll be covered you can quote us" :D
Zerafinel 5 months ago 4
Thumbs up for the Guy behind him at 0:18! lol
pickle338 5 months ago 4
I love the expression of the guy behind him while he is hitting that horrid high note at the beginning of the song. It's priceless! I think the song is hilarious, and maybe it should be a wakeup call for those people who have a problem with a national health care policy because it is, heaven forbid, "socialized medicine"! More please!
DWINXSEmergencyFan 7 months ago 2
'...have you considered suicide?'
Not one to hear while taking a drink of water. Almost became one less number for the NHs to worry about.
TilleyFedora 9 months ago 7
This guy really reminds me of Stephen Colbert...only musical!
SimplyGebus 11 months ago 2
best. video. ever.
Foderick 1 year ago
i like the guy in the background ;)
& love your songs, roy ^-^
smileXmusic 1 year ago
Does Tom Lehrer know of you work, Roy? Because you are his son in spirit, if not in fact. Great stuff, as usual.
montiac712 1 year ago 2
@montiac712 He does. In fact, on his website (and Youtube page), Tom Lehrer shows nothng but praise for him. To quote him, "I congratulate Roy Zimmerman on bringing literacy back to comedy songs. And the rhymes actually rhyme, they don't just 'rhyne.'" I also know that Roy has talked with him on occasion as well.
TruelySonicHOG 1 year ago 3
razor sharp wit .... original bright and clever.... Roy is the heir apparent to Professor Tom Lehrer, a brilliant musical satirist from the 60's.....
JerichoDitch2 1 year ago 5
a political song having this few dislikes thats special
gix500 1 year ago 4
I love love love this song, it's possibly the wittiest song I've ever heard. I literally laughed so hard I couldn't breath :D
Zerafinel 1 year ago 3
DIE NOW!!!! (fave line :P)
WhatTheHeckAnimation 1 year ago
LMAO!! Brilliant, cleaver, better! xxx
DAzazle666 1 year ago
0:17 this guy sure likes Slayer's Angel of Death :D
bloodcorer 1 year ago
@bloodcorer whats wrong with SLAYYYYYYERRRRRRRR
MacMan5555 1 year ago
@MacMan5555 just listen Angel of Death song and u will understand
bloodcorer 1 year ago
@bloodcorer fuck you slayer fucking rules\
MacMan5555 1 year ago
@MacMan5555 Amen ;)
DocStrange0123 9 months ago
clever
Sydpart2 1 year ago
@nojameson You're right. It is. Nice catch.
suniseclipsed 1 year ago
I'd be happy if my number was 1036924053887 because it is a prime number!
nojameson 1 year ago 7
That guitarrist back there looks a lot like he's about to die laughing... so... I guess Roy's helping.
GreyLabyrinthine 1 year ago 15
11 people are insurance company executives
suniseclipsed 1 year ago 5
"Dr Insurance Company to the E.R. - Dr Insurance Company to the E.R. - Bring the Euthanasia Cart - Stat!"
PirateFish1 1 year ago
Comment removed
Acerbitas 1 year ago
Anyone find his voice kind of sexy in this song?
TalynCo 1 year ago 4
These you tube videos are going to be classic.This guys going places.
lovebanditt 1 year ago 4
That guy in the background laughing his ass off made it a lot better, lol. As if it wasn't fucking great in the first place, lol.
mussman717word 1 year ago 7
How brilliant is this man? :D I haven't laughed this much in ages
Zerafinel 1 year ago 3
Comment removed
Zerafinel 1 year ago
@CobinRain
You're the one who is clueless. You just insulted me out of the blue because you assumed you know what my opinions are on subjects I never even mentioned. Do you think that every person in the US has the same opinion on everything? I have nothing against socialized medicine, and am quite aware of what a failure our war on drugs has been. We have more people in jail per capita than any other country because or jails are packed full of non-violent offenders.
Primalxbeast 1 year ago
@CobinRain
I'm not sure who you think you're talking to. My comment was making fun of Phillip Morris for bragging about saving a country money by killing off people before they recieved the benifits from the government when they got old, and people at Phillip Morris not understanding why people were offended by them bragging about saving the country by killing people. I never stated an opinion on the tax or socialized health care.
Primalxbeast 1 year ago
There were actually people at Phillip Morris who didn't understand why people were offended by them bragging that they were saving that country money by making people die younger, and didn't know why the people in charge of Phillip Morris ordered them to not talk about the study anymore.
Primalxbeast 1 year ago
Funny thing is, some country with socialized health care was going to raise taxes on cigarettes because they figured that smokers cost the country more because of medical costs and the people at Phillip Morris did a very costly in depth study that found out that smokers actually saved the country money by killing over before they got retirement benifits and other non-smoking medical problems. (cont.)
Primalxbeast 1 year ago
@Primalxbeast Are you another clueless victim of the US health industry's media campaign? Try to think for yourself Primal. In my country, the people elected (60 yrs ago)the politicians to create a health service in service to the people as a whole--to improve health and prolong life. The quality of healthcare including all the failings and fuck ups is part of the public debate. And it delivers. Our(conservative)prime minister is a total supporter because we want him to be; it is our will.
CobinRain 1 year ago
@Primalxbeast So when the UK government heavily taxes alcohol and tobacco it is to preserve the health of the population ,as the law directs. The Stuff isnt banned--just expensive.(ciggies about $8 a pack for example). And before you waste any time telling me about the big brother state, do you know how much the US spends on the so called War on Drugs? Stopping people smoking pot etc.Because it's bad for them? Figure I found was $40 billion a year..and rising. Guess who pays for that? In taxes?
CobinRain 1 year ago
Great song now just change hmo to bho and you have a hit..a death panel coming to you..just got to love obama care.
MrTimotheus85 1 year ago
Roy missed the penultimate 8 when he said the number one time :'(
gggrow 1 year ago
Funny, I'm just seeing this for the first time. If I'd known you were going to get 18.000 hits, I would've gotten out whatever it was in my eye before you started singing! Hope all's good with you, Roy. Thanks and congrats for all the good work.
groovysoulster 1 year ago
Brilliant! "...if you've killed yourself already, disregard this notice" "one hemorrhoid older" hilarious.
Really, really good work.
Russ Buchanan (Instigator-in-Chief of "All-American Suckers" here at Y-Tube )
clamionga 1 year ago 2
This man is an absolute genius!!!
saqib09 2 years ago 6
It's a chance that i'm in Canada(we wait a lot....but it's FREE)!
more123wifi 2 years ago
This song is now reality. The last increase in insurance cost in California - going directly that way, 39% up, in time of recession. Vic Chesnutt did commit suicide over excessive medical bills.
Health reform, America, please!
konstanze70 2 years ago
"And if you've killed yourself already, disregard this notice", outrageously brilliant line...
plevyman 2 years ago 14
Wish I had the sheet music for this....
Stuartsaves 2 years ago
Stuartsaves-
I have the guitar part pretty much figured out (I know they are a few errors), so if that's what you're looking for just drop me a message. If it's the vocal part, sorry man, you're on your own.
ArianneHermida 2 years ago
The real death panels Sarah Barbie doll talked of.
bdf2718 2 years ago 6
Ha! Now we know where Sarah Palin got her "death panel" ideas.
bobharris77 2 years ago 3
Roy has a brilliant cleverness that shines in each of his songs. This one particularly tickles me. Saw him live last Friday and it was one of the best performances I've ever seen. He sings each and every song as if he's performing the show of his life.
CheesyMcK 2 years ago 110
@CheesyMcK : the metaphors and ideas in his songs are incredibly powerful and important.
pyrrho314 1 year ago
Excellent!
NealF 2 years ago
@NealF
An Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker has quit the Church of Scientology after 35 years over the organization's tolerance of "gay-bashing," its lying over the use of "disconnection," and its decision to release the intimate confessions of some of its former members who turned into critics.
Paul Haggis, who won an Oscar for the movie Crash, made his decision to leave the controversial religion in August.
OpenComments 2 years ago
We're making a collective CD of our Starbucks store. Every person submits one song. This is mine. I'm also giving him America, Creation Science 101, Abstain With Me and Jerry Falwell's God to give the boss a 'choice' of which one to put on the cd. He, and everyone else at work, know how much I love Roy. My boss is afraid the health coverage song will be inappropriate (WHAT?!?), so I'm giving him an option of various songs so he'll see how inappropriate (to him) those I'd like to also submit are.
szrgirl 2 years ago 2
I decided against completely offending my boss... I gave him a cd with only this song on it. :-)
szrgirl 2 years ago 2
Lol......pure reality!!!This guy is brilliant!Almost pee in my pants!
more123wifi 2 years ago
hahahahahaha
IwasaBushfan 2 years ago
i love it!
sistaspooky1013 2 years ago
"DIE NOW....GOODBYE NOW!"
Alex618mir 2 years ago 2
The guy on the right is like "WTF?"
SpaceJunkMan 2 years ago
Laugh out loud funny as usual.... I would not put any thing past the blood sucking insurance companies. They are on the fast track of being worse than the credit card companies which have unilaterally raised everyone's interest rates simply because they can...THERE'S A SONG FOR YOU ROY.*(!)
texphile 2 years ago 5
Roy makes rhyming smart again!
andmarikis 2 years ago 86
@andmarikis THANK YOU
realityismyreligion 7 months ago
Interesting herb0001, I too am a free market libertarian, and I think Roy is GREAT! I think that he and I have the same humanitarian heart and goals, we just have different ideas about how to achieve those goals.
asopchak 2 years ago 5
I have to say, although I don't agree with many of Roy's political views (I'm a free market libertarian), he is a very talented songwriter and satirist, and his songs are incredibly catchy.
herb0001 2 years ago 10
same here totally
happymyster 2 years ago
I thought that health care was one of the 5 fundamental human rights. Thanks for setting me straight. Love you, Roy.
gunapie 2 years ago 6
I have a kind of stupid question. Maybe Im just reading into it too much....Ive watched several times because its so enjoyable...but when he says "dont jerk, just squeeze", what exactly is he referring to? I assume its the trigger of a gun, but Im not sure...
4jonah 2 years ago
Yeah, he means a trigger. It's common advise given to beginner shooters.
88Seville 2 years ago 2
Right. The common term I knew was "dont pull" not "jerk"....so it threw me off, but in a perhaps unintentional way, 'jerk' has a humorous double meaning.
4jonah 2 years ago
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the clark kent of folk music" never laughed so hard! and the song... omg, Roy is just the best!
Keytaster 2 years ago 6
lmao
bamboo4tameshigiri 2 years ago
"...if you killed yourself already please disregard this notice."
Absolutely brilliant.
Thanks Roy, once again, for making me laugh until my stomach hurts :P
tommytalks77 2 years ago 7
does this guy do tours in the uk?
BGDPPL 2 years ago
I doubt it. Most of his songs are about US politics.
herb0001 2 years ago
well there are plenty of people in the uk and europe who are into US politics so he could do quite well
BGDPPL 2 years ago
I think he might do occasionally. There's nothing upcoming (at least not mentioned on his website), but I think I remember seeing something a while ago about him having done gigs in Britain.
plevyman 2 years ago
where i can find the lyrics for this album??
caiocrossover 2 years ago
Incredible, Roy. Thanks for sharing this.
LatinD 2 years ago 2
Another winner!
Largo64 2 years ago 3
If I didn't already own it, I'd buy 'thanks for the support' just for this song. Brilliant.
azraphon 2 years ago 2
wow
you've strike through. you're amazing!
just the absurdness i worship. brilliant!
aimtkz 2 years ago
wow...the ad that came up when i started 'Dear Number....' was to join the Newt Gingrich free newsletter. YouTube needs to check their algorithm apparently....
heatherinblack 2 years ago
Oh goddamnit. I live in Oregon and had plenty of chances to go see Roy, but didn't read the description til today. :(
Promatheos 2 years ago
Good one, Roy!
It seems so strange that our lawless lawmakers would repeat mistakes like allowing tobacco to still be sold though it kills millions of Americans each decade. Now they stand by while milllions have a rotten life or die because of no health care. Our politicians are full of dead men's bones while declaring themselves pure as driven snow.
We have no economic future without health care. There isn't much current innovation because start-up companies can't afford health care.
desertlight 2 years ago 3
amazing song as usual.
LovefromUSSR 2 years ago
I think the youtube comments system needs to be changed. I have no idea who most of these people are directing their comments towards. It seems that replies just go where ever they want.
Good song though. My number is actually 103692405888.
500YenDevin 2 years ago
Why do stupid conservative rednecks seem to think they have to defend the rights of incredibly rich and exploitative corporate people to take their money, pay them peanuts, and hoard the equivalent of the combined salaries of every employee in their company in their own personal account?
I never did understand that mentality. "They deserve my money more than I do. I dont mind paying more for stuff, I'd just waste my money anyway."
Etimos 2 years ago
Because they are stupid conservative rednecks? They can't even adapt to the metric system. The believe the world was created in six days, virgins can have babies, and that prayer will get you better birthday presents. At the same time they believe that Climate Change is a myth and dinosaurs never existed. Pretty scary shit isn't it?
seamoremonster 2 years ago
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant as always!
plevyman 2 years ago
this guy rocks lol
Supaj00 2 years ago
Universal health care is one of the greatest freedoms that people have in all western countries except for one. That country is the USA, The laughing stock of the industrialized world. The system is so good that every single Conservative Political Party in the Western World is in favour of it, except one. The proof is in the pudding our people don't die from curable illness because they cannot afford it. The USA's do, I pity America and the people who endure such madness
franks2732 2 years ago
Roy Zimmerman, you suck balls.
I've been singing this song for three days, and it is having a profoundly detrimental effect on my social life.
Begone!
Saerain 2 years ago 2
LOL!!!
Psychkid90 2 years ago
Roy has the vocal range of a God.
ArianneHermida 2 years ago
is it the name zimmerman that makes people such amazing folk artists
WordsYouForget 2 years ago
Roy... You, sir, are BRILLIANT!!
AsaiMoonsault 2 years ago
You posted it!! You finally posted it! YAY!
Love this song.
P.S...the Clark Kent of folk music...LMFAO!!
mollificent 2 years ago
It's a workable system.
Same thing in Finland - always had access to a doctor, paid a yearly fee to the city, should I need health services that year (and it's on the order of 20 euros, so not bad), and even the expensive meds are on the order of 20 - 30 bucks a month.
It's pretty sad that it's possible to pay yourself sick for health insurance in the US and still be financially fucked should you get pneumonia. ;-/
Over here it's cured with a free visit to the hospital and a 10e pack of meds.
int3rl0per 2 years ago 2
Enough of this. All I know is the following: Lived in Germany 10 years. Germany spends ca. 10% of its GDP on healthcare and covers everyone. US spends ca. 16% of its (bigger) GDP on healthcare and does not cover all its citizens. Never once waited in 10 years. Family never once waited, Never HEARD of anyone waiting for healthcare services in 10 years. Does the US provide "better" healthcare? No. Lokk at international comparisons. We spend more and get less.
amiroler 2 years ago 3
why does every video have to turn into a debate ? Just enjoy the song Geez
tyblanch911 2 years ago
What might start making health care affordable would be say charging $400 instead of $2000 for an MRI or $40 instead of $150 for a doctor visit. This could easily make healthcare affordable to Americans. The AMA, however says otherwise and has stifled any kind of reform like this.
cff121 2 years ago
I would have to disagree with you. Reducing the cost in the way you speak of would only serve to make healthcare more affordable for a certain section of Americans. A large section of the population would still be unable to afford it, therefore not fixing the problem.
Sadclowndoesfrown 2 years ago
What is a significance of this number anyway?
ChrisJMoor 2 years ago
I think it's just a random number to signify how you're just a random number to them. I don't think it has any other meaning than that
bhig3 2 years ago
Ahhhh. My guess was that it is the US national deficit for 2050 assuming current trends in the price of healthcare and growth of the aged population. Close.
ChrisJMoor 2 years ago
brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sparrow111260 2 years ago
Finally!!! I LOVE THIS SONG!!! Thanks for posting this, Roy!
szrgirl 2 years ago
You always manage to say it SO well, Roy. This is hilarious, and right on the nose. Love it!!
anmoose 2 years ago
I want your vocal range!
ZachValkyrie 2 years ago
Hilarious but right on the money Roy.
wutzernutzer 2 years ago
You always manage to make me laugh at the darnest things!
NiteBlogger 2 years ago
It's called Darwinism; survival of the wealthiest. If scientist would let nature work and do her job properly, we wouldn't have this problem of people living so long. :-) Socialism only works if we eliminate human nature. Any suggestions????
MsWanderer1 2 years ago
Sigh. That's not Darwinism, and the human nature thing makes no sense. Another part of human nature is the urge to help others, which is pretty much what the 'socialism' you're referring to, is.
Sadclowndoesfrown 2 years ago
No, that's altruism. No other lie is so despicable as the claim humans tend towards charity. "Ask not what your country can do for you! You've got to think of the state! The poor! Think what you can do for god!" etc. If every man acted in his own self interest he would find that peace and openness with his fellow man is the cornerstone of progress and growth.
woohookittys 2 years ago
You're right, that is altruism, but many institutions of 'socialism' (in brackets because the phrase is used by right wingers to scare not inform) are based upon the concept. For example universal healthcare. But it seems that we disagree fundamentally. You believe that humans tend toward selfishness, i believe they tend toward helping each other. This informs both of our opinions pertaining to how the country should be run.
Sadclowndoesfrown 2 years ago
"Any time a man wishes for someone else to do their work, they call upon altruism. 'Never mind YOUR needs, think of the needs of...' whoever. The poor? the state? the army? the king? god? The list goes on and on. How many catastrophes were launched with the words 'think of yourself'? It's the king and country crowd who light the torch of destruction. It is this great inversion, this ancient lie which has chained humanity to an endless cycle of guilt and failure."
woohookittys 2 years ago
That's just plain dumb or you're one of the new generation that has been stupefied by bull shit and under educated. Enjoying those video games are you? Wouldn't it be nice to have the government raze taxes on the rich so it could give you the latest game every month? Or maybe you wouldn't mind them forcing you to purchase a game each month from your local government owned game manufacturer at a price they tell you to pay? How long do you expect to remain an individual?
MsWanderer1 2 years ago
I would reply to your comment with reasoned argument and treat it as an intellectual debate, but what you said doesn't allow me to do so. You've already made assumptions about me based on your preconseptions and this limits argument. Any point i make will be seen by you through a lense of 'he's just saying this because he is young and ill educated'. So you understand, i see no point in arguing with somone who has already made up their mind.
Sadclowndoesfrown 2 years ago
Sorry David; should have checked to see what country you were in. If socialism is working so well for you over there then why are so many of your countrymen coming over here? You do seem to have a sheltered life though.
MsWanderer1 2 years ago
See you're doing it again. This time you say that in Britain we have socialism when that's not the case, and that i live a sheltered life although you don't know me outside this debate. The only reason you say i am 'sheltered' is because i disagree with the way you view the world. I will note however that net immigration to the UK is higher than from the UK and the numbers for Britain to America and visa versa are very similar, so do not aid your point.
Sadclowndoesfrown 2 years ago
You lied; you said you weren't going to argue! :-)
Your channel page says a great deal about you David; you're not the mystery you may think you are.
BTW: What makes you think you understand my view? Are you someone's bitch?
MsWanderer1 2 years ago
You know what, never mind. I'm done with this, count it as a victory if you like. It seems clear that you're not arguing logic, you're just...well I'm not quite sure what you're doing. Whatever it is, I'll not be replying to you any more, i have grown up conversations to tend to.
Sadclowndoesfrown 2 years ago
No it wouldn't. I'd rather get a job earn a living and pay for the games out of pocket knowing someone else isn't forking dough out to pay for my hobbies.
woohookittys 2 years ago
If you think health care is bad now ,just wait until it's free. The efficiancy of the DMV and Post Office at Pentagon prices,means long lines, rationed care and early deaths for you losers who depend on goverment. I am so glad I'm wealthy enough to pay extra. National socialism is the goal of the left; I hope you choke on it.
JonKevinCherry 2 years ago
The USA doesn't have a party of the left, so even if your rant was true, it would be pointless.
Xerxes4242 2 years ago
Roy Z. is awesome .
slLLyhumans 2 years ago 4
SINGLE PAYER NOW!!!
Accept NO substitutes!
Great job, Roy!
JesusSavesAtCitibank 2 years ago
I love your channel, Jesus
cat00012000 2 years ago
Just as it loves all of you -- my father's little worthless pets. ;-P
JesusSavesAtCitibank 2 years ago
A brilliant piece! Funny and relevant. Thanks for making this available.
Tigerpaws9097826 2 years ago
He IS the new Tom Lehrer. Fantastic.
anglaismoyen 2 years ago 2
Win<3
Ullygirldk 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Dear me...all the people who are worried about getting sick, not having health care or being able to go to the doctor, and all the people who have or do now actually choose sometimes between medicine and meals BEWARE!!.
What you really need to worry about is...Socialism.
CobinRain 2 years ago
*CobinRain* "BEWARE! What you really need to worry about is...Socialism"
Oh puh-leeeze. That is one tired old straw-man you're holding up there. National health care does not equal Socialism.
The Capitalist health (non) care system has left us paying the most, and getting ridiculously little access to actual health care for all of our money.
most reasonable people see that some elements of a Socialist approach are vastly better for society than pure unregulated greed, er, Capitalism.
a2zdiy 2 years ago
There is no capitalism in the healthcare industry, it's so highly regulated that a switch from private to state owned would mean an infinitesimal difference. No, what we need to do is deregulate it. Make it so that anyone can open up shop in the healthcare market and undercut the tycoons.
woohookittys 2 years ago
You're absolutely nuts.
ColonelCharisma 2 years ago 2
Pfft, yeah, open competition, the prospect of cheaper healthcare while creating jobs, the forcing of mainstream providers to become accountable to their customers, the ability to have a diverse choice of services depending on your situation. I'm completely crazy to think *that's* a good idea.
woohookittys 2 years ago
Obama is a socalist because he shared his toys in kindergarden.
WE ARE ALL DOOMED.
squiigle 2 years ago 9
That's right, Cobin, socialism is the big bad boogeyman, and he's comin' to getcha! BOOOO!
I swear, you people remind me of children...
dbohls 2 years ago 5
That is why private insurance companies are lobbing democrats against single payer health care because it is socialism Faux for brains.
captcrais101 2 years ago
25 years ago the president of Connecticut General Insurance told me "We are not in the business of paying claims. We are in the business of collecting premiums."
On1yCheryl 2 years ago
My mom, being a doctor, had an interesting response to this song. She wasn't glad that Roy and others like him support better government-funded healthcare; she actually thought the complete opposite.
But, the opening bar did made her smile. I think she'll come around.
ArianneHermida 2 years ago
lol what kind of first world coutnry expects ppl to keep 50 grand in their bank account just incase they get cancer
sealhunta 2 years ago
This is so good.
The intro is ten times funnier when you see him sing it.
Thanks for the video!
ArianneHermida 2 years ago
Because of the medication I am on, I cannot get coverage with any healthplan save one that does not cover ANY of my medication, dentistry, eyeglasses, or anything particularly useful besides regular doctor's visits. I have various internal illnesses and a few neurological, but because of our wonderful healthcare system, I can't really pay any attention to them or try to fix myself so long as the healthcare system is the way it is. One month of the medication I NEED is 600 bucks.
RabidIceWeasel 2 years ago
you know it seems like he is against government health care (altough i doubt it since he is liberal...) because only when everyone else pays for your health care does you getting sick make people groan at paying bills... if it's you who pays then the people getting paid are happy... you will hopefully be happy once you're cured and everyone else is happy because they didn't pay for ya.
RoronoaZoro222 2 years ago
Unless of course you can't afford to pay for it, in which case no-ones happy. Not you, you're still sick, not the people getting paid who now get nothing, and not society, which suffers from people being ill.
Ploppy17 2 years ago
awesome song!
Asok87 2 years ago
The thing that annoys me about this issue is that many people assume the state is looking out for its people - that politicians are less greedy and self-centered than corporate executives, when in fact, they are not. Politicians work WITH corporations, not against them, to increase the wealth of both parties, while the average citizen is getting fucked in the ass. This is called fascism. There is no reason to suppose that politicians care about you. None at all.
empbac 2 years ago 3
I haven't yet seen anyone argue that politicians can't be greedy or self interested. The point is that when it's a private system, self interest and profit are the entire goal. Not so with state provided amenities, where the goal of the state is to provide a service, even if come politicians are corrupt. The difference is that greed and desire for profit are inherent with private businesses, but not inherent with state run services.
Ploppy17 2 years ago
Yes, they are. You're saying that, 'Oh, maybe politicians are greedy, but not as much as corporations.' Says who? Just because the state (the collection of various politicians in charge of YOUR LIFE) claims to care about you doesn't mean it's true. Profit and political maneuvering are always the goals of politicians (for all practical purposes, ignoring, for the sake of argument, a small percentage of well-meaning office-holders). You're just thinking wishfully.
empbac 2 years ago
Just because YOU would be honest and I would be honest doesn't make others honest. You're giving these people too much credibility. For years politicians have been forming alliances with corporations and helping create monopolies. The CIA has helped overthrow democratically-elected presidents of other countries if our leadership disagreed with the business goals of such administrations. This is history, man. Nothing new. They want for their own, and don't give a fuck about you.
empbac 2 years ago
No, actually. What i'm saying is that with corporations, their goal, their sole purpose, is the accumulation of profit. That's the only reason they exist. Therefore greed is inherent in any system they operate. The function of the state however, is to govern, which involves looking after the governed. I'm not saying that politicians can't be greedy, i'm saying it isn't an inherent trait of the state. Two very different positions.
Ploppy17 2 years ago
"That's the only reason they exist."
That's the only reason any institution exists, including organized religions. The state is no different. Government is a complex things and can take many forms in various situations, but no state is necessary. There's no such thing as one person who can accurately represent another. Each individual must represent him or herself. You're operating under the assumption that the state is valid in some sense. I am not restrained to that view.
empbac 2 years ago
It's not a restraint, I can assure you of that. But not being an Anarchist, I do recognise the necessity of the state. Validity is another issue. Where then, is the does the validity of corporations?
Ploppy17 2 years ago
By validity I mean authority. If the state isn't necessary it isn't valid. And I don't like corporatism, to be clear. I believe it is as rampant as it is because of the state, and there are many reasons it works out the way it does. Monopolies couldn't happen if it weren't for the state, at least not like this. I do believe private industry to be the principle and natural solution to many of our problems, but that doesn't mean I support Walmart. It's more complex than that.
empbac 2 years ago
I agree, many monopolies couldn't happen were it not for democratically elected politicians helping them out. Of course, if the politicians who helped them were elected with your vote, or worse yet you didn't vote at all, then if you want to know who to blame you should look in the mirror.
woohookittys 2 years ago
The problem is the false idea that anyone can accurately represent you or me, much less everyone at once. The state just doesn't work the way you purport it to work. It doesn't matter if these people can get votes. That just means they're good salesmen. Statements like yours are what politicians depend on to stay in power. We're talking about human nature here. Look at history and see how the state intermingles with corporations around the world to form monopolies and oppress people.
empbac 2 years ago
empbac,
You are so right!!
JesusSavesAtCitibank 2 years ago