This is what change looks like....

[PAUL J. MAGRONE]

There are better ways to solve the problems with cost and access than to place the bill on the next two generations and drive our debt to China even further. To read some of these posts makes me think that some of you are only seeing half the picture. In New York the government is trying to regulate Salt. In California they are ganging up on Mac Donalds for Happy Meals. In cities throughout the United States the abuse of Eminent Domain is bringing down the rights of private individuals and their property. Other countries are no longer interested in our T-Bonds. The Dollar is taking a beating because we are accumulating debt that we may never recover from. But as long as those evil insurance companies are delt with, who cares. Let's pretend we have an endless supply of money! After all .....we do! China owns our butts and we have the world famous dollar devalueating Obama Printing Press. Yes, as long as all of those evil coperations pay for providing us with jobs, and opportunity. Lining their pockets with profits! The nerve of those businesses to be in business to make money! Unheard of!! Imagine the governoment coming to you and your small business and demanding you pay more for your success. I do not know what you all have been smoking but after this Obama presidency is over I want some. It appears that whatever it is makes you completely unaware of all of the really bad stuff. It is truly amazing how I have seen no one concerned with the future of the country or their own kids future. Is it really all about class envy and hatred of corporations? Because if it is, then you are selling your souls to the devil himself in throwing away what our country was founded on for government benefits. Once you do that, freedom as we know it comes to an end. You may say this is an overreaction. Is it really? Put the politics aside and remember what the constitution is about. Then tell me how these changes are positive base on our system.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by pmagrone

There are better ways to solve the problems with cost and access than to place the bill on the next two generations and drive our debt to China even further. To read some of these posts makes me think that some of you are only seeing half the picture. In New York the government is trying to regulate Salt. In California they are ganging up on Mac Donalds for Happy Meals. In cities throughout the United States the abuse of Eminent Domain is bringing down the rights of private individuals and their property. Other countries are no longer interested in our T-Bonds. The Dollar is taking a beating because we are accumulating debt that we may never recover from. But as long as those evil insurance companies are delt with, who cares. Let's pretend we have an endless supply of money! After all .....we do! China owns our butts and we have the world famous dollar devalueating Obama Printing Press. Yes, as long as all of those evil coperations pay for providing us with jobs, and opportunity. Lining their pockets with profits! The nerve of those businesses to be in business to make money! Unheard of!! Imagine the governoment coming to you and your small business and demanding you pay more for your success. I do not know what you all have been smoking but after this Obama presidency is over I want some. It appears that whatever it is makes you completely unaware of all of the really bad stuff. It is truly amazing how I have seen no one concerned with the future of the country or their own kids future. Is it really all about class envy and hatred of corporations? Because if it is, then you are selling your souls to the devil himself in throwing away what our country was founded on for government benefits. Once you do that, freedom as we know it comes to an end. You may say this is an overreaction. Is it really? Put the politics aside and remember what the constitution is about. Then tell me how these changes are positive base on our system.

My! what short memories!!

So Enron et al; Bernie Madoff and the continuing fraudulent investment advisor's being exposed almost daily; exorbitant executive pays; the near bankruptcy of the planet's once largest corporation; mortgage derivatives based on ???; ..........these were all good things????

The last brought (mortgage fiasco) down suppossedly solid investment firms. Where would we be now if the big, bad government hadn't stepped in to save probably all our a-sses!! Or......was it the government's fault for allowing these events to occur.......by not regulating and watching what's really going on.

It appears that you can't have all this economic freedom and keep people honest....... on their honour!!! Rules must be implemented and people must be hired to enforce them (more government??)......but there still can be a fairly free market. Canada, Sweden, Japan, Denmark, etc are essentially free market, democratic countries. The US does not have the only franchise on democracy.

Methinks the extreme right is making mountains out of molehills as they may be seeing a "sea change" in your country...... and it scares them. They've got to make outrageous claims to gain any traction......and it's the followers, not thinkers, that get hauled into their influence.

Any comments on the 17% of GDP that US healthcare currently costs versus the substantially lower % in other western style developed countries???

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

Methinks the extreme right is making mountains out of molehills as they may be seeing a "sea change" in your country...... and it scares them. They've got to make outrageous claims to gain any traction......and it's the followers, not thinkers, that get hauled into their influence.

Any comments on the 17% of GDP that US healthcare currently costs versus the substantially lower % in other western style developed countries???

That's the funny thing. There have been many "outraged" about the "govnm't takeover" of such a large part of the economy.

IMO, the problem isn't the "takeover" but the fact that so much of the economy IS healthcare.

Healthcare costs a lot. And way more in the US than elsewhere.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rmaday

That's the funny thing. There have been many "outraged" about the "govnm't takeover" of such a large part of the economy.

IMO, the problem isn't the "takeover" but the fact that so much of the economy IS healthcare.

Healthcare costs a lot. And way more in the US than elsewhere.

We subsidize healthcare around the world.

We pay for the research and development for new drugs and new whiz bang diagnostic equipment and the rest of the world benefits.
They are not paying the true cost of the care provided.
We are and that includes Canada.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by rmaday

That's the funny thing. There have been many "outraged" about the "govnm't takeover" of such a large part of the economy.

IMO, the problem isn't the "takeover" but the fact that so much of the economy IS healthcare.

Healthcare costs a lot. And way more in the US than elsewhere.

SO who's making all the $$$$$? And are you being overcharged, firstly, for services and treatment and following that, the high insurance rates that have to be charged to cover the high treatment cost??

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by mlarson

We subsidize healthcare around the world.

We pay for the research and development for new drugs and new whiz bang diagnostic equipment and the rest of the world benefits. (and the company benefits if they can expand their markets outside the US to the other 6 billion persons on this little orb!!)
They are not paying the true cost of the care provided.
We are and that includes Canada.

Come on, Michael!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So US companies charge less for equipment and drugs to other countries and more to US customers. Would they not include R&D expenses in all their prices and spread the cost to all buyers so that they made profits even after allowing for future R&D monies re-invested? Your statements don't ring true!!......And it sound like a bad business model.

Remember, many critics state the exorbitant costs include very high administration fees due to so many entities involved in the private health insurance business.

Canada's 10% of GDP for health care includes everyone!! Your health care costs don't include the 30-40 million folks that can't afford health insurance and therefore forgo medical needs or only get basic medicare, Medicaid, etc or are refused when showing up at hospitals. So just think how bad it would be if everyone received the medical services they needed based on costs in the current model!!!!

[John E. Mullarkey]

Well said Paul, wait until the price tage for all this crap starts to hit the average working man. Most do not have a clue as to what is coming. The write downs from AT&T, Caterpiller et al are only just the beginning. You better get use to being a subcontractor and paying your own SS taxes etc because that is the way small business will be heading. What small businessman would hire an employee with all the coming tax/Obamacare liabilities...NO ONE! Rev Wright had it almost right, it is not God bless America but God help America.

The Bush tax cuts expire at the end of this year, watch what happens when that one hits the economy. As bad as he was, I'd rather have Carter than this socialist. Got an email awhile ago, "somewhere in Kenya a village is missing it's idiot" Unfortunately, America found the idiot and a bigger bunch of idiots elected the fool. IMHO of course!