One of the biggest campaign issues of the last election -- and this one -- is health care. Both major parties have "plans" to "give" us better "access" to health care. Funny, I always thought that was called a "job," but that's just me.
Last election -- and probably this one, too -- health care for seniors got a lot of play. There is a misconception in this country that most seniors are decrepit people who have to choose between dog food and Doan's pills. Not true. First off, who always gives you money at Christmas each year? Your grandparents. Who no longer works, yet can still travel and do whatever they want? Old people. Who is actually the wealthiest class of people in our country? Old people.
Look, no living situation is 100% uniform across any demographic, and some old folks DO struggle. But most old people have pretty decent lives. They worked, saved, bought homes, got pensions, and often have younger folks to take care of them. Plus, they're pretty smart. Like, for example, I think they could tell you a thing or two about who to vote for.
If the idea of "free medicine for all" sounds appealing to you, I suggest the following quote from P.J. O'Rourke:
"If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free."
Posted by colrus at July 29, 2004 02:03 AM | TrackBackOur health care system is a mess. The health insurance industry has cultivated a system where they are simultaneously necessary to function and crippling to afford.
America is too wealthy to have three out of four blacks uninsured.
Real people die real unnecessary deaths everyday in our country.
When our parents and grandparents were our age, insurance wasn't particularly necessary, it was affordable to pay for things on a case by case basis.
Our health care system (controlled by major insurance agencies with no conscience) no longer makes this feasible for the vast majority of Americans.
It is wrong to that so many must pay nearly as much as rent so that you can afford a crummy HMO because of the threat of tremendous financial costs of a major illness. Having a job isn't the issue.
Nationalized health care, America can afford it.
Posted by: Nat at July 29, 2004 12:07 PM>When our parents and grandparents were our age, >insurance wasn't particularly necessary, it was >affordable to pay for things on a case by case >basis.
Could you wager a guess as to why our insurance costs are so high?
Posted by: Bill Colrus at July 29, 2004 02:43 PMAmen to freaking that.
Posted by: crabby at July 30, 2004 05:33 PM