The big paint brush

[Dreamcatcher]

You ever notice that when the government wants to spend billions, on social programs, they take a one size fits all approach. Let's talk about health care for the poor. Most Americans have pretty good health insurance. A national health program would take away that good insurance for lousy government politic constructed insurance. The big paint brush. Why not ask why do these people not have insurance. Most are illegal aliens who get free health care from the emergency room. I work in a hospital, and a man from Peru deliberately took vacation here to go threw the emergency room for a tumor he knew he had. He is doing nicely in a hospital room, where he gets top notch care that the tax payers shoulder. Why don't we identify the uninsured, and make them worth vouchers that insurance companies will fight over to service. The more you use capitalist principles the better the results you will have.

[JustAnotherUserName]

I don't know where you get your information.

I don't believe "most Americans have pretty good health insurance." We're self-employed and therefore have individual (rather than group) coverage. Individual coverage, even under the best circumstances, sucks. Even though we've made no claims and are both healthy, our premiums just got bumped up to $577/month. For just the two of us! I may soon become one of "those people" who don't have insurance because that is an outrageous amount to pay for marginal coverage and I resent it.

I know there are people who do as you say, but they are the exception, not the rule. We feel fortunate to have the means to fork out nearly $600 a month. Not everyone does and THOSE people are more representative of the uninsured in this country.

[Dreamcatcher]

It comes down to incentive. It's nice to be altruistic with others time, and money, but don't you think they have some life goals of their own. Maybe they have a family to take care of. The old U.S.S.R had socialized health care, and they lived like worms. The workers paradise was more like the workers shit hole. Capitalism rewards effort, and innovation. Many different answers compete until the best one wins out, and the incentive to work harder, take risks, and basically give a dam is because they are motivated. They are motivated because they can improve their lives.

[JustAnotherUserName]

Does your insurer cover Xanax, John? :-)