America is the worst rich country in the world

[Skipper]

(19th November 2010 18:09)Minimalist Wrote:  

Quote:I don't say it to gloat it's just amazing the differences between our countries

I'll bet you also don't piss away $600 billion a year on defense. And, of course, the generals are demanding more.

Considering we are a much smaller country we still spend a hell of a lot. We have the third biggest military expenditure in the world, behind you guys and China. Something like $70bn.

[downbeatplumb]

(19th November 2010 17:43)Skipper Wrote:  

(19th November 2010 17:18)DeistPaladin Wrote:  Personal story:

My wife would have died last Halloween, a little more than a year ago, if she wasn't on my health insurance. She barely survived as it was. She has asthma and a cold caused her oxygen level to drop dramatically.

Luckily we'd gotten married so she could be covered by my insurance. Since her body parts are sufficiently different from mine, the government has allowed us to get married. Were she a man, the conservative government that likes to be so small and unobtrusive would have prevented us from tying the knot. But that's another issue.

Anyway, thanks to my insurance, the costs were only ruinously expensive instead of unobtainable. We've both had to liquidate our IRAs (retirement savings accounts) to pay the costs. Ah well, I'm planning to work until the day I die anyway.

Seriously messed up that in such a developed country people like yourself have to go through that shit. Financially punished for having the cheek to get ill.

I recently spent the week in hospital due to inflation of my pancreas and an infection. I was in intensive care for 2 days. Had a few scans. Was looked after amazingly by nurses and doctors and was cooked three good meals a day. Then was prescribed a months course of medicines and painkillers....I didn't pay a penny. I don't say it to gloat it's just amazing the differences between our countries and how anyone over there could see what I described as a bad thing. People getting some of the best treatment available regardless of their ability to pay. People criticise the NHS and moan about it over here but I honestly believe it is one of the best things Britain has going for it.

My mother is being treated for a very serious condition, the treatment is very expensive, but as we are british she is getting the treatment on the nhs without needing to pay.
It beggars belief that many americans seem to prefer an unfair and stupid system that leaves many in penury and others without treatment.

In many respects the health system is the worst aspect of america and even if I could move there I would not because of it.

The nhs may have its flaws, but it is a million times better than the american system.

[Minimalist]

(19th November 2010 18:59)Skipper Wrote:  

(19th November 2010 18:09)Minimalist Wrote:  

Quote:I don't say it to gloat it's just amazing the differences between our countries

I'll bet you also don't piss away $600 billion a year on defense. And, of course, the generals are demanding more.

Considering we are a much smaller country we still spend a hell of a lot. We have the third biggest military expenditure in the world, behind you guys and China. Something like $70bn.

Actually you are 4th...the French slipped in there ahead of you. Britain is still more than Russia ( which is a far bigger country than either of us) and Japan ( which technically is not supposed to have an army so they call it something else.)

http://www.globalissues.org/article/75/w...oftheWorld

Nonetheless, the problem for the US is obvious.

I submit that if "war" is too important to be left to the generals than so is the military "budget."

[DeistPaladin]

(19th November 2010 17:43)Skipper Wrote:  Seriously messed up that in such a developed country people like yourself have to go through that shit. Financially punished for having the cheek to get ill.

In addition to our attachment to Christianity, America has another irrational belief system that causes so much trouble for us: that government is inherently evil, inept and untrustworthy and should do as little as possible. I think it goes to our pioneer days and our love of "rugged individualism". Government regulation and involvement is always looked upon with, at best, great suspicion, even if such systems work well in other countries.

Health care is a community issue, no less than fire fighting and law enforcement. If we had a strong enough leader who could sell it to America in those terms, with something simple like "medicare for all", we could finally catch up with the rest of the world.

We also can't seem to break our addiction to spending money on defense when there isn't another power threatening us. Unfortunately, any politician who entertains defense cuts is surely going to be labeled weak on defense, as A Theist's reaction underscores.

[padraic]

Quote:--that government is inherently evil, inept and untrustworthy ---

They are conflating government with politicians.They area not the same thing.

Yet many of those same people were perfectly happy for the US government to bail out the banks and General Motors. A non interfering government in a laissez faire system would have allowed both to fail.


Aussies trust government with our health, education, and welfare,of which it makes pretty good fist. We also have a healthy contempt for most politicians.