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Was asking someone why they are voting for Bush..

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
0
"The economy is good so lets give him another term" "Who cares if you don't have health insurance. It is not the governments job to look out for you. We don't need people living longer. I hope to God I don't live to become old. Doctors should have the right to kill patients when they are old. We don't need all this health insurance to help old people live longer. They ruin society. Old people are doing nothing but sucking up the government's money." Guy looks over to his mom at the dinner table.. "Mom I hope you die at the age of 70. I don't want to take care of you. Please die before the age of 70. I'm serious just die."

 

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
at least he gave a reason... usually you cant get one out of them... the typical response i get is ... kerry's a douche...
 

AntiEverything

Senior member
Aug 5, 2004
939
0
0
Originally posted by: SirStev0
at least he gave a reason... usually you cant get one out of them... the typical response i get is ... kerry's a douche...

That's as good an answer as "Anybody but Shrub".
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
In Canada we pay half as much per capita as Americans, yet everyone has coverage. So what if we have to wait a little? It's an inconvenience, but at least we get the treatment we require. Ideology is stopping America from adopting a similar system. If only your politicians relied on logic.

Out of curiousity, how much does heath insurance cost for an average family of 4?
 

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
0
Originally posted by: SickBeast
In Canada we pay half as much per capita as Americans, yet everyone has coverage. So what if we have to wait a little? It's an inconvenience, but at least we get the treatment we require. Ideology is stopping America from adopting a similar system. If only your politicians relied on logic.

Out of curiousity, how much does heath insurance cost for an average family of 4?

I heard Canada's health insurance sucks. You have to wait months to go see a doctor and the doctors there are not as qualified. Is this true?

I don't know for a family of 4, but for me a good health insurance would cost me around $120/month. If I was to get in a serious accident, 20% insurance pays and 80% I would have to pay.
 
Aug 14, 2001
11,061
0
0
Originally posted by: SickBeast
In Canada we pay half as much per capita as Americans, yet everyone has coverage. So what if we have to wait a little? It's an inconvenience, but at least we get the treatment we require. Ideology is stopping America from adopting a similar system. If only your politicians relied on logic.

Out of curiousity, how much does heath insurance cost for an average family of 4?

Canadians don't really wait a little - they wait a lot (in my perspective). I'd rather receive immediate treatment now, but of course this is pretty bad for the poor people that cannot afford health insurance.

Perhaps they should try out some sort of two tier health system.
 

IEC

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jun 10, 2004
14,600
6,084
136
Screw Bush. I'm uninsured right now and so I'd be screwed if I got sick.

Edit: And no, I don't support Kerry either, although he'd probably be better than Bush.
 

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Originally posted by: SickBeast
In Canada we pay half as much per capita as Americans, yet everyone has coverage. So what if we have to wait a little? It's an inconvenience, but at least we get the treatment we require. Ideology is stopping America from adopting a similar system. If only your politicians relied on logic.

Out of curiousity, how much does heath insurance cost for an average family of 4?

you sick communist bastard stop spreading this soviet filth in the minds of the youth of my great nation... commie bastard...
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: SickBeast
In Canada we pay half as much per capita as Americans, yet everyone has coverage. So what if we have to wait a little? It's an inconvenience, but at least we get the treatment we require. Ideology is stopping America from adopting a similar system. If only your politicians relied on logic.

Out of curiousity, how much does heath insurance cost for an average family of 4?

Canadians don't really wait a little - they wait a lot (in my perspective). I'd rather receive immediate treatment now, but of course this is pretty bad for the poor people that cannot afford health insurance.

Perhaps they should try out some sort of two tier health system.

Who has told you that we "wait a lot"? How long do you think we wait for surgery? To see a doctor?

I'll tell you. On average, I wait around 30 minutes to see a doctor. For surgery, if it's considered life threatening or critical by any means, you are treated immediately. Otherwise, you may be inconvenienced for up to a month or so, however this is very rare and is all too often glorified by the conservative press. During that month you're not actually "waiting" anyways, you're simply not being treated. For something minor such as elective surgery, this is not a big deal IMO.

Considering I probably save at least $3,000 per year through my socialized health system, waiting a few hours per year doesn't bother me at all. It's also nice to know that even the poorest citizens here have access to excellent care. I don't even think twice about giving money to homeless people that I see when I'm downtown because I know for a fact that they can live quite comfortably on our social system.

Honestly the wait times are largely a myth and have been blown out of proportion by the media. I have a number of relatives who are very ill, and they have received prompt, excellent care.
 

nutxo

Diamond Member
May 20, 2001
6,824
503
126
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: SickBeast
In Canada we pay half as much per capita as Americans, yet everyone has coverage. So what if we have to wait a little? It's an inconvenience, but at least we get the treatment we require. Ideology is stopping America from adopting a similar system. If only your politicians relied on logic.

Out of curiousity, how much does heath insurance cost for an average family of 4?

Canadians don't really wait a little - they wait a lot (in my perspective). I'd rather receive immediate treatment now, but of course this is pretty bad for the poor people that cannot afford health insurance.

Perhaps they should try out some sort of two tier health system.

Who has told you that we "wait a lot"? How long do you think we wait for surgery? To see a doctor?

I'll tell you. On average, I wait around 30 minutes to see a doctor. For surgery, if it's considered life threatening or critical by any means, you are treated immediately. Otherwise, you may be inconvenienced for up to a month or so, however this is very rare and is all too often glorified by the conservative press. During that month you're not actually "waiting" anyways, you're simply not being treated. For something minor such as elective surgery, this is not a big deal IMO.

Considering I probably save at least $3,000 per year through my socialized health system, waiting a few hours per year doesn't bother me at all. It's also nice to know that even the poorest citizens here have access to excellent care. I don't even think twice about giving money to homeless people that I see when I'm downtown because I know for a fact that they can live quite comfortably on our social system.

Honestly the wait times are largely a myth and have been blown out of proportion by the media. I have a number of relatives who are very ill, and they have received prompt, excellent care.

Socialism rocks! Where do I sign up?

 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: Aimster
Originally posted by: SickBeast
In Canada we pay half as much per capita as Americans, yet everyone has coverage. So what if we have to wait a little? It's an inconvenience, but at least we get the treatment we require. Ideology is stopping America from adopting a similar system. If only your politicians relied on logic.

Out of curiousity, how much does heath insurance cost for an average family of 4?

I heard Canada's health insurance sucks. You have to wait months to go see a doctor and the doctors there are not as qualified. Is this true?

I don't know for a family of 4, but for me a good health insurance would cost me around $120/month. If I was to get in a serious accident, 20% insurance pays and 80% I would have to pay.

What's the point in even having insurance if you have to foot 80% of the bill anyways? :confused:

Doctors here are every bit as qualified as those in the US; many of our doctors move to the US to practice there. The same goes for engineers and architects.

You don't have to wait months to see a doctor here. Read my other post.

$120/month is $2,400/year, and that doesn't include your deductible or anything that is not covered by the policy. I would be interested to know how much the average American spends on health-related expenses per year. Then it would be interesting to compare that figure to the tax delta between Canada and the US.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: SirStev0
you sick communist bastard stop spreading this soviet filth in the minds of the youth of my great nation... commie bastard...

The Soviets are a democracy now. ;)
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: Aimster
Sickbeast, in 2004 average family of 4 paid $9,950 for health insurance ($829 month).

That's around $13,000CDN. The average person here makes around $35,000 and would probably pay about $13,000 in taxes (provincial, federal, and municipal total). Basically what I'm saying is that your health care is costing you half of the tax money that the average family pays in Canada.

I'm guessing that Americans pay as much for health insurance as they do for taxes, unless of course they earn over $100,000/year.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: ariafrost
Screw Bush. I'm uninsured right now and so I'd be screwed if I got sick.

Edit: And no, I don't support Kerry either, although he'd probably be better than Bush.
If you want a socialist program, move to a socialist country. Offering universal healthcare will inevitably turn into another dead whale like SS. The US has too many people who are too willing to live off the system.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Originally posted by: ariafrost
Screw Bush. I'm uninsured right now and so I'd be screwed if I got sick.

Edit: And no, I don't support Kerry either, although he'd probably be better than Bush.
If you want a socialist program, move to a socialist country. Offering universal healthcare will inevitably turn into another dead whale like SS. The US has too many people who are too willing to live off the system.

Yes, that's the problem with socialism; you end up with people living off the system. There's the old "teach a man to fish" analogy. The problem is, even under Bush I don't see the US government teaching people how to fish. Instead they are left to rot and die. Visiting a US ghetto is like driving through a war zone.

There are problems with both systems. I don't have a problem helping out the poor people, but I really wish they would make them work for the money. If everyone on welfare cleaned the streets, took care of the garbage, etc. etc. our municipal taxes would all go down AND we wouldn't have a homeless problem.
 

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
If you want a socialist program, move to a socialist country. Offering universal healthcare will inevitably turn into another dead whale like SS. The US has too many people who are too willing to live off the system.
And complete privatization of healthcare would lead to profiteering by insurance companies with little to no benefit for Americans who actually need the critical health care.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Yes, that's the problem with socialism; you end up with people living off the system. There's the old "teach a man to fish" analogy. The problem is, even under Bush I don't see the US government teaching people how to fish. Instead they are left to rot and die. Visiting a US ghetto is like driving through a war zone.

There are problems with both systems. I don't have a problem helping out the poor people, but I really wish they would make them work for the money. If everyone on welfare cleaned the streets, took care of the garbage, etc. etc. our municipal taxes would all go down AND we wouldn't have a homeless problem.
Healthcare has never been provided before to everyone by our government, has it? So why is it all of a sudden Bush's fault? Oh, that's right, because he's the current president, so he's responsible for fixing all existing problems.

Maybe people shouldn't get in the habit of living off the system. Maybe people should take risks on their own future. I didn't get a red cent from the government for college (I'm rich enough to not get gov't cheese and poor enough that my parents can't pay for it), yet I got through. People need to take initiative and better themselves - this isn't the responsibility of the government. I'll be paying for my fishing lessons for the next 40 years, and I don't see why I should be paying for someone else to learn how in that time.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: her209
And complete privatization of healthcare would lead to profiteering by insurance companies with little to no benefit for Americans who actually need the critical health care.
So which is worse? Private companies making money and people getting healthcare that they earn for themselves or the government giving everyone less healthcare? Profiteering is what capitalists do. As I said, if you don't like it, feel free to move to a socialist country.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Healthcare has never been provided before to everyone by our government, has it? So why is it all of a sudden Bush's fault? Oh, that's right, because he's the current president, so he's responsible for fixing all existing problems.

Maybe people shouldn't get in the habit of living off the system. Maybe people should take risks on their own future. I didn't get a red cent from the government for college (I'm rich enough to not get gov't cheese and poor enough that my parents can't pay for it), yet I got through. People need to take initiative and better themselves - this isn't the responsibility of the government. I'll be paying for my fishing lessons for the next 40 years, and I don't see why I should be paying for someone else to learn how in that time.

I never said it was Bush's fault, but if you look at his policy compared to Kerry's, there's a big difference when it comes to healthcare.

As for the rest of your statement, I sincerely hope that you never lose your job and face any economic hardship in your life. Most people on welfare do not want to be in that situation. Social programs are necessary, unless you want your society to live like a bunch of barbarians and just let people die when they fall on hard times.

Like I said, just make the welfare recipients work 40 hours per week for the government and fire a bunch of beaurocrats.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: SickBeast
I never said it was Bush's fault, but if you look at his policy compared to Kerry's, there's a big difference when it comes to healthcare.

As for the rest of your statement, I sincerely hope that you never lose your job and face any economic hardship in your life. Most people on welfare do not want to be in that situation. Social programs are necessary, unless you want your society to live like a bunch of barbarians and just let people die when they fall on hard times.

Like I said, just make the welfare recipients work 40 hours per week for the government and fire a bunch of beaurocrats.
I have no problem with people temporarily being on welfare or getting government sponsorship. I do have a problem with people expecting or even demanding it. As I said, I didn't go out of my way to try to get my schooling paid for, as I don't see that as being the government's responsibility. As a result, I'm $xx,xxx in the hole to CitiBank. Am I bitter? No, because I got a quality education that will pay for itself in a few years. I also realize that there is no reason for Bill Gates to personally fund my college experience with his tax dollars. Similarly, there is no reason for him to pay for me to get a cavity filled or get my appendix removed. If I really thought that I deserved to have these things paid for using someone else's money, I would obligate myself to personally raise the funds rather than make everyone be forced to donate to my cause.

Summary:
Temporary relief = good. Permanent leeches = bad. The more government handouts people are given, the more they will gravitate towards the second category, as they have no motivation to gravitate towards contributing.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
I have no problem with people temporarily being on welfare or getting government sponsorship. I do have a problem with people expecting or even demanding it. As I said, I didn't go out of my way to try to get my schooling paid for, as I don't see that as being the government's responsibility. As a result, I'm $xx,xxx in the hole to CitiBank. Am I bitter? No, because I got a quality education that will pay for itself in a few years. I also realize that there is no reason for Bill Gates to personally fund my college experience with his tax dollars. Similarly, there is no reason for him to pay for me to get a cavity filled or get my appendix removed. If I really thought that I deserved to have these things paid for using someone else's money, I would obligate myself to personally raise the funds rather than make everyone be forced to donate to my cause.

Summary:
Temporary relief = good. Permanent leeches = bad. The more government handouts people are given, the more they will gravitate towards the second category, as they have no motivation to gravitate towards contributing.

I agree with your second paragraph 100%. That said, I disagree with your comments on socialized education. IMO the best university programs should be attainable by all citizens, rich or poor. The students with the hightest SAT scores should be the ones getting into Harvard, not the ones with the most money. I think it's a real shame when a brilliant young student is forced to work an ordinary 9-5 job because they cannot afford to go to school.

I'm very thankful that I managed to make it through university without an ounce of financial support from my family. If it hadn't been for bursaries, student loans, and hard work I would never have made it through.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: SickBeast
I agree with your second paragraph 100%. That said, I disagree with your comments on socialized education. IMO the best university programs should be attainable by all citizens, rich or poor. The students with the hightest SAT scores should be the ones getting into Harvard, not the ones with the most money. I think it's a real shame when a brilliant young student is forced to work an ordinary 9-5 job because they cannot afford to go to school.

I'm very thankful that I managed to make it through university without an ounce of financial support from my family. If it hadn't been for bursaries, student loans, and hard work I would never have made it through.
I agree - every university should be accessible to everyone. However, I don't agree that people should not have to pay for it. If you want an education, you should be willing to pony up for it. If you aren't willing to, then chances are you don't deserve it. Without fail, the people that I know that didn't pay for thier own schooling failed out at a ridiculously high rate because they didn't their studies seriously.

I couldn't afford to go to school, so I took out loans. This is available to anyone. Paying for my own schooling taught me the value of the education I was receiving, a lesson not well learned by those who had it covered for them.
 

DeeKnow

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2002
2,470
0
71
Originally posted by: Aimster
"The economy is good so lets give him another term" "Who cares if you don't have health insurance. It is not the governments job to look out for you. We don't need people living longer. I hope to God I don't live to become old. Doctors should have the right to kill patients when they are old. We don't need all this health insurance to help old people live longer. They ruin society. Old people are doing nothing but sucking up the government's money." Guy looks over to his mom at the dinner table.. "Mom I hope you die at the age of 70. I don't want to take care of you. Please die before the age of 70. I'm serious just die."

didn't you have asteak knife at the dinner table...?