Fidel Castro Applauds Passage of Obama's Health Care Overhaul

Amused

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Apr 14, 2001
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What a ringing endorsement. Birds of a feather...

Fidel Castro Applauds Passage of Obama's Health Care Overhaul

AP

It perhaps was not the endorsement President Obama and the Democrats in Congress were looking for.

Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Thursday declared passage of American health care reform "a miracle" and a major victory for Obama's presidency, but couldn't help chide the United States for taking so long to enact what communist Cuba achieved decades ago.

"We consider health reform to have been an important battle and a success of his (Obama's) government," Castro wrote in an essay published in state media, adding that it would strengthen the president's hand against lobbyists and "mercenaries."

But the Cuban leader also used the lengthy piece to criticize the American president for his lack of leadership on climate change and immigration reform, and for his decision to send more troops to Afghanistan, among many other things.

And he said it was remarkable that the most powerful country on earth took more than two centuries from its founding to approve something as basic as health benefits for all.

"It is really incredible that 234 years after the Declaration of Independence ... the government of that country has approved medical attention for the majority of its citizens, something that Cuba was able to do half a century ago," Castro wrote.

The longtime Cuban leader -- who ceded power to his brother Raul in 2008 -- has continued to pronounce his thoughts on world issues though frequent essays, titled "Reflections," which are published in state newspapers.

Cuba provides free health care and education to all its citizens, and heavily subsidizes food, housing, utilities and transportation, policies that have earned it global praise. The government has warned that some of those benefits are no longer sustainable given Cuba's ever-struggling economy, though it has so far not made major changes.

In recent speeches, Raul Castro has singled out medicine as an area where the government needs to be spending less, but he has not elaborated.
 
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Rainsford

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
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So if I understand Amused's logic, everything a "bad" person does, likes or supports is also bad by association...is that about right? Hitler liked highways, so if YOU also like highways, you're as bad as Hitler.

"I see dumb people" indeed.
 

UberNeuman

Lifer
Nov 4, 1999
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Rage2.jpg
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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So if I understand Amused's logic, everything a "bad" person does, likes or supports is also bad by association...is that about right? Hitler liked highways, so if YOU also like highways, you're as bad as Hitler.

"I see dumb people" indeed.

Let's see... a communist dictator praising an American president on a socialist policy. Yeah, it has everything to do with fascism and freeways. o_O
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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So these Republicans were showing their true dirty commie colors when THEY proposed the insurance mandate?
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2061785

John McCain a commie? Whoulda thunk it?

Deflecting by saying Republicans proposed insurance mandates fails on two levels:

1: I equally despise the Republican party. They are the opposite side of the same coin.

2. Republicans didn't submit, or even vote for this bill.

Thank you, come again.
 

Rainsford

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
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Let's see... a communist dictator praising an American president on a socialist policy. Yeah, it has everything to do with fascism and freeways. o_O

It's not the exact same issue, but the flaw in your argument is the same. You're arguing that it's bad that Castro liked the health care policy, just because he's Castro and serves as a good stereotype of being a bad guy. I'm saying that lots of bad people liked things that aren't inherently bad themselves.

In other words, Castro liking universal health care says EXACTLY as much about Obama's plan as Hitler liking freeways says about the US interstate system...not very much.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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It's not the exact same issue, but the flaw in your argument is the same. You're arguing that it's bad that Castro liked the health care policy, just because he's Castro and serves as a good stereotype of being a bad guy. I'm saying that lots of bad people liked things that aren't inherently bad themselves.

In other words, Castro liking universal health care says EXACTLY as much about Obama's plan as Hitler liking freeways says about the US interstate system...not very much.

Again, apples and oranges.

This is a communist praising us over new, socialist policy. That would be like Hitler praising us over a new fascist policy like, say, the patriot act or national ID card??? Or maybe rounding up the Japanese during WWII and throwing them in camps?
 

Thump553

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
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Actually Amused, you should put down you philisophical blinders a bit Amused and take a look at Cuba's medical system. For basic health care it widely respected throughout medical fields. I'm certainly no big fan of communism but Cuba's medical system is one of (well, probably the only) shining acheivement of Castro's reign. And it cost far less than ours.
 

Amused

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Actually Amused, you should put down you philisophical blinders a bit Amused and take a look at Cuba's medical system. For basic health care it widely respected throughout medical fields. I'm certainly no big fan of communism but Cuba's medical system is one of (well, probably the only) shining acheivement of Castro's reign. And it cost far less than ours.

And Mussolini made the trains run on time. Should we convert to fascism because it works? Hitler put an entire nation deep in the great depression back to work. Should we adopt fascism to end our recession?

Just because something works well, doesn't mean it's right. Especially when it comes at the cost of individual liberty.
 
Oct 27, 2007
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And Mussolini made the trains run on time. Should we convert to fascism because it works? Hitler put an entire nation deep in the great depression back to work. Should we adopt fascism to end our recession?

Just because something works well, doesn't mean it's right. Especially when it comes at the cost of individual liberty.

Is anyone here suggesting you convert to full-blown communism just because Cubas health care system works? Because if not your argument fails. Honestly Amused you're not very good at this.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Is anyone here suggesting you convert to full-blown communism just because Cubas health care system works? Because if not your argument fails. Honestly Amused you're not very good at this.

What is required to make Cuba's health care system "work" (allegedly) as claimed?
 
Oct 27, 2007
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What is required to make Cuba's health care system "work" (allegedly) as claimed?
I don't know, I'm not making any value judgments on Cuba's health care system, I was responding to your post which was made with the implicit assumption that it does work. Nice attempt at changing the subject, though.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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I don't know, I'm not making any value judgments on Cuba's health care system, I was responding to your post which was made with the implicit assumption that it does work. Nice attempt at changing the subject, though.

No, you failed to understand my counterpoint. Cuba's health care system is collectivist. Call it communist or socialist if you like, but it requires collectivism and thus the loss of individual liberty.
 
Oct 27, 2007
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No, you failed to understand my counterpoint. Cuba's health care system is collectivist. Call it communist or socialist if you like, but it requires collectivism and thus the loss of individual liberty.
Your avatar is appropriate.

Edit - sorry that was a dick thing to say. Correction: I disagree.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Your avatar is appropriate.

Edit - sorry that was a dick thing to say. Correction: I disagree.

Thanks for the sarcastic apology.

Disagree with what? That Cuba's health care system is collectivist? Or that collectivism means the loss of individual liberty?

Collectivism is the exact opposite of individualism. The rights of the collective over ride the rights of the individual.
 

ShawnD1

Lifer
May 24, 2003
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So if I understand Amused's logic, everything a "bad" person does, likes or supports is also bad by association...is that about right? Hitler liked highways, so if YOU also like highways, you're as bad as Hitler.
Nazis also put a lot of emphasis on education and vocational training. Hitler Youth had a competition similar to Skills USA and the winner in each category got to meet Hitler.

This is where I agree with the nuts. All educated people are Nazis. We should round up and kill everyone who supports vocational training.


And Mussolini made the trains run on time. Should we convert to fascism because it works? Hitler put an entire nation deep in the great depression back to work. Should we adopt fascism to end our recession?
Hitler brought the economy back on track by starting a bunch of big government projects. Build highways as fast as possible, build tanks as fast as possible, make everyone a skilled worker. As indicated by the name of his party, the National Socialist Party, Hitler did have a ton of socialist policies.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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^ so his stimulus package worked, and Obama is both a Communist dictator and a genocidal Fascist. Interesting! ;)

"Birds of a feather [ flock together ] " : Amused-logic: if they agree on one point, they are the same!
 

shadow9d9

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2004
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OHHHHH NOOOOOO!!!!!!

Next thing you know, Canada, France, Britain, and Germany will be applauding us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

ShawnD1

Lifer
May 24, 2003
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^ so his stimulus package worked, and Obama is both a Communist dictator and a genocidal Fascist. Interesting! ;)

"Birds of a feather [ flock together ] " : Amused-logic: if they agree on one point, they are the same!
Obama is worse than Hitler because he's black too.


Next thing you know, Canada, France, Britain, and Germany will be applauding us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's funny you say that. Here's an article I read a while ago..

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/eye-on-2008/obama-crowd-builds-in-germany.html
A huge crowd today could be a mixed blessing for Obama. On the one hand, it is a potent symbol of the excitement his candidacy has caused worldwide. On the other, thousands and thousands of cheering Germans may not play well stateside.

This isn't some random AT troll. Chris Cillizza (the author) is a paid contributor of the Washington Post. I can't tell if he's pulling a classic Glenn Beck move or if he's asking an honest question.
 

Moonbeam

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Nov 24, 1999
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I wonder what country graduates the most doctors per unit of people. I bet Cuba could be in second place and not right behind the US cause they would be more like at 52nd place in the world of nations.