You Are Not Free If You Can't Afford Healthcare
By Thom Hartmann A...
Is America more free because we can have guns?
I would say that there are a lot of countries that are more free than we are.
I think it's really important to just lay it out that this whole freedom thing that Republicans are always talking about, what they're talking about is the freedom of billionaire polluters to pollute, the freedom of billionaire banksters to rip us off, the freedom of the fossil fuel industry to poison our planet, perhaps even leading to the death of our species.
Those are the freedoms that they're talking about.
Now, if you want to talk about freedom for actual average people in the United States, you're not free if you're sick and you can't get health care or you can't afford to pay for it.
You're not free if you're working full time and you can't afford to even pay your damn rent. That's not freedom, that's a form of bondage.
You're not free if you're constantly living in fear that somebody's going to pop up and shoot you.
There are so many dimensions of America where we are not free compared with the other developed countries in the world, where they don't have gun violence problems, where everybody does have national healthcare, where everybody does have a guaranteed pension retirement program.
And I think it's really important to note that.
Comments
#2
Good points! And we are not free if some of our police can clearly commit murder and get away with it.
#3
When it comes to health care, even if you have it, your choices are limited. If you want to go to a holistic practitioner or use medical cannabis (the professionals in that field don't like the term marijuana because it connotes the suppression of it in the 1930s), you can't get insurance coverage. So, our health care is really being controlled in the U.S.
I don't want to go into detail about this, but it's certainly worthy of many blogs or books. A good blog would be asking the question why the U.S. is the only developed country in the world where the price of pharmaceutical drugs IS NOT regulated!
#4
I assume the question that tomcalwriter1 asks about unregulated drug prices is rhetorical. The obvious answer is that Big Pharma has too much money.
When Big Pharma spent $120 million in California to defeat Prop 61 (regulate drug prices for those having their drugs paid for by the state), my ulcerative colitis became active after remaining dormant for 20 years.
#5
You’re not free because the press isn’t free. It’s owned by corporate interests.
#6
The way things are going I wouldn't even consider the US a civilized country.
#7
It's also important to note that when you add up property tax, sales tax, fees, State tax, Federal tax, etc. most of us pay as much or more than the citizens in the countries that provide cradle to grave healthcare, old age "living amount pensions," higher education, and in general a very strong social safety net. The difference is that we pay for an out of control military industrial spy complex.
The Kochpublicans have no problem with this massive Socialism spending..it benefits their Fascist masters. As I've said before, this Kochpublican funding is why our CIA didn't step in and stop the the Russian interference in the 2016 election...They sure as hell would have if it had been the Dems getting the help from Putin.
#8
It's socialism for the rich. A civilized country wouldn't wage endless war for profit to benefit the few, sapping the health and wealth of its own citizens to do so.
The US is a predatory military empire run by oligarchs raping the worlds' resources and exploiting its people to enrich themselves. Those who enable them are trapped by right-wing ideology, fear, hate, and anger. They aren't free in their minds, so their idea of freedom is just that -- a mere idea.
#9
Brenda #5....you made another very important point...globally we rank only 47th in freedom of the press. We're looking at third world territory here.
#10
deepspace: You say it far better than I can...your words ring with the sad truth.
#11
You say it very well, a voice shouting into the wind. Never stop. The truth of what this once great People's democracy has become under our fascist masters is beyond sad.
#12
Americans have never really been free, not from day 1. We were less controlled because there were less people to control us. The government has always stolen from us, the rich have always taken from us, it is just gotten so obvious they cannot hide it anymore.
#13
America has become a fascist nation without a shout or shot being fired
Dumbing down has become a national 'sport'
This is intentional
Were world wars fought to prevent the spread of fascism?
#14
Good point, Randolph. Although under FDR, the government, while far from ideal, stole quite a bit less from us. He really did try to turn things around after the horrible governance under Republican rich-man-rule. His list of accomplishments that have benefited the common man and woman -- and still are -- is impressive. Bernie Sanders modeled his politics on FDR, calling it "Democratic socialism." Here's some highlights from his Nov 19, 2015 address at Georgetown University with commentary from a TYT panel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_8R6PgGcTw
Hephaestus. Astute observation. We fought world wars against fascism only to succumb meekly here at home.
#15
I guess for leftie/socialists basking the glow of winning landslide election victories lasts only a few hours. Return to bitter hate radio and screeching at the sky.
putting 120,000 Japaneese in concentration camps
or
#16
I have worked and lived in 10 other countries and have traveled through many others. The ones that I visited I would call free. Never went to Saudia Arabia etc. South Korea every male has served 2 years minimum in the military and have been extensively trained with guns. Yet know one owns a gun and one of the first questions they will ask you is "do you won a gun". They think is crazy to own something that is meant for killing. In Sweden I knew a collector of antique military rifles. All were stored at a licensed rifle range.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_gun_laws_by_nation
#17
Good for you Rick Steves. Your examples are why I choose to live here. If you fear guns so much why not live in one of the other 10 countries you lived in? You tell us we should go out of the US to get cheap healthcare. Why your attraction to this country? Lots of safe spaces and free healthcare in Mid-east countries.
#18
Very well stated, Thom! Thank you again!
#19
#17. You are obviously proud to live in a country where 58 are killed and 500+ wounded by a maniac who had an arsenal and semi-auto weapons legally converted to shoot like a fully automatic weapon, at a country concert. I am not. But I can see changes that would help this country. I have been overseas when these frequent mass killings happen and seen the reaction of the people. They think that we are nuts. This reflects on their opinion of this country and affects our trade, tourism and relations. I was in South Korea when one of their citizens was murdered in a VA mass murder. They (and I) value life and you obviously do not.
http://wgntv.com/2017/11/07/columbine-is-no-longer-one-of-the-10-deadlie...
As far as medical tourism. Medicare does not cover dental. A friend of mine recently flew to Panama and had 2 root canals spent 2 nights in a hotel all for way less than it would have cost him here. He also got to relax on the beach. The Dentist had received his dental training at the University of Southern California. I think as medical tourism grows it will help to lower costs here. I wish that Panama would start advertising medical tourism on TV. That would open the AMA eyes. Medicare covers 80% of a procedure that costs 5 times more than it would in another country. And you have to pay for Medicare. And that is the good socialistic plan. Just like you get. The average working stiff pays $1000 per month for $5000 deductible.
#20
Dear Deep Space Thank You fot the fantasic comments. Time after time you make great comments. I am hesitant to add anything to what you said
#21
Legend. Excellent comeback. People overseas think we are nuts ...because we ARE!
And thanks for the valuable info -- been paying for my own dental. Yeah, even Cuba, that much maligned nation, at least has universal single-payer, plenty of quality healthcare providers, and some of the best highly trained physicians in the world, who are exported in times of crisis to less-advantaged nations in South America and elsewhere. If we would normalize diplomatic relations, as we have done with much more brutal regimes like Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Russia, China, and the Philippines, then perhaps Cuba would magnanimously export the concept of medical morality to the U.S. where it is sorely needed.
Radical. Haha, please add! I love hearing what you have to say. We're in a live shooting war with an evil empire and need every able-bodied soldier in the trenches on the front line, especially with the moniker "Radical." Thumbs up!
DianeyWorld. Thumbs down!!! A Trump troll is a Trump troll is a Trump troll...
Post #'s 15 &17: Good God, what a train wreck! Move on, folks, nothing to see here but the same slow-motion disaster unfolding everyday in the headlines, brought to you by the Pussy-grabber in Chief, twittering on the toilet, and by those infatuated with his Big Daddy abusive persona.
The buzz words of his legacy (the short list): embarrassing ignorance of virtually every important issue, immature vindictiveness to the nth degree, shameless bragging about very serious sexual crimes against women, clinical malignant pathologies, and general all-around complete f*cking idiocy -- not the least of which is over-the-top, in-your-face, bald-face dishonesty entwined with every fiber of his worthless being and exuding out of every pore. Lickspittle dummies who voted for him aren't much better. Go figure.
LMAO! Someone so obviously politically dysfunctional as to defend this low-brow, back-alley pervert has the temerity to judge the FDR administration?! Franklin's failings clearly do not outweigh his wild successes, not by any stretch of Republican delusional imagination.
Clean out your sh*t-stuffed ears, granny, the bigger the stick the better. Didn't I mention FDR's government was far from ideal? But please list all the modern-age Republican presidents without sin who could cast the first stone. Warren G. Harding? Calvin Coolidge? Herbert Hoover? Eisenhower? Nixon? Ford? Reagan? The two birdbrains in the Bush? ...Trump?!!! (Hahahahahaha ...puh-lease!) Other than Eisenhower (the last legitimately elected Republican), what a motley crew of fools and pirates!
But to cast aspersions on the man who defeated the worldwide fascistic movements of last century and to ignore his many progressive accomplishments, which the American people are still enjoying today -- including ol' granny the hypocrite -- is not only hugely disingenuous but is the height of right-wing hyper-partisanship in its most imbecilic and laughable expression. Granny's posts are always the same: the epitome of self-righteous arrogance -- a mental tick common to every mush-brain mesmerized by Fux News and all the other "re-education" camps dotting the corporate "news" landscape.
BTW, you historically ignorant person with a qwerty keyboard, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Repeat his name three times and tap your red-ruby slippers.) passed The Wagner Act, (National Labor Relations Act) in 1935 as an integral part of the New Deal. Ask union members about its significance in the private sector, which Republicans have eviscerated in just the last 30 years or so. Now they're going after the public-sector unions, the last redoubt of organized labor and a big voting block for Democrats (who just ain't supposed to vote).
Also, notice that none of shoot-em-up "AR" Granny's meaningless double-talk betrays the slightest bit of empathy or sympathy for the uncountable victims of gun violence (the worst in the world of civilized nations not embroiled in endless, American-sponsored wars) -- not even for the babies, "big beautiful babies." (Where is the orange baboon's "heartfelt" -- my ass! -- concern for American babies, who are no different than Syrian babies other than the method of their slaughter?)
There's no way around it; Ameerkkka's obscene, NRA-enlightened obsession and proliferation of high-tech weapons of war on our streets and in our neighborhoods where our children play, shop, go to school, go to church, is the essence of a violent and petty mindset -- second nature to far-right wingers, such as goofy ol' granny.
Vote! Elections have consequences. New Jersey and Virginia are showing the rest of America the way out of this Republican quagmire short of armed revolution (for which there is certainly enough weaponry). Make America Truly Great Again (MATGA) -- Throw The Goddamn F*cking Republican Bums Out! (TTGFRBO). Next year, put non-corporatized Democrats and/or progressive independents in Congress. De-nut the chest-thumping baboon and his smarmy misogynistic veep -- losers whom most women (as well as most men) would sorely love to politically castrate ...some more literally.
#22
@21 Dumb Shit
So this is what you washed up lefties want for the USA
Cuban Salaries raise to $19.00 per month
In 1956, (when Cuba was a capitalist country) a worker at Bacardi made an average of $163.15 / month
#23
Nice try, hotdog, but you're as thick as your buddy, granny. The little blizzard of bullsh*t you're huffing and puffing has zilch to do with what I just said. Clean the sh*t out of your ears and take the dick out of your mouth.
#24
#25
Jaysus! A moldy turd is smarter than you two focking idiots! Don't put yourselves in the "everyone else" category.
Do you ever have anything important to say?
#26
DS, I did not mention Cuba's excellence in the medical field because I knew that was way over the head of Dianyworld and her trans friend OU812. Yes Cuba is excellent in the medical field and even has cures for cancer that cannot be sold here. For 60+ years we have isolated Cuba for no real reason. Our isolation has kept their economy low. Medical tourism would be an excellent way to boost their economy and solve our overpriced medical costs.I can see the TV ads and Southwest reduced airfares. If you are young and healthy why spend $1000 per month on crappy insurance. Put the money in a health savings account. If you have medical problems go to Panama (3 hour flight) and spend much less. $12000 per year adds up quick. If this expanded countries like Panama might offer insurance policies at cheap rates. Why is our government protecting the right to import drugs. Totally right wing Republican Fascists. Put pharmaceuticals on an international basis.
#27
@23 & 25
I guess only you are entitled to an opinion. You are so easy, I would love to play cards with you, Cowboy. You have more tells than a hooker who hasn't been to confession in 30 years.
Move to Cuba, what an opportunity. I'm sure your pension is over $19.00 per month. Plus you'd have the government furnished health care that's so important to you. Take the three door knobs with you. With your writing ability you could start a newspaper. Call it La Verdad (Spanish for truth). Legend could be your fact checker. Mother Teresa of the Southern Tier could administer to the those who need it. Maybe even find something for pigeon brain to do. You would live like kings. (I guess you wouldn't want to do that though). It wouldn't be PC. I don't know why you want to stay here. You all seem so angry and hateful of most everyone else who lives in the USA.
#28
Again, nothing but empty-headed nonsense from a brainwashed Trump troll. Poor little snowflake, can't take an opinion about her opinions. Never fear; you are entitled to as many worthless opinions as can spew forth from your hotdog hole. And I am entitled to call bullsh*t. In your dreams, loser; I wouldn't play poker with you, because you have no chips left.
#29
I might just do that, Legend. Plus, never have been to Panama. Thanks for the great advice!
#30
To the naysayers, I had a friend that had a stent installed for $40000. Would have cost less than $10000 in most countries. Especially if you are young, stop paying $12000 per year for $5000 deductable insurance. Put the same into a medical savings account (tax benefits) and plan using medical tourism. For those on Medicare dental costs are worth going to Panama. Google it. Let Cuba into the bidding for health care.
#31
Google "Medical Tourism Panama" or country of your choice.
#32
"... this whole freedom thing that Republicans are always talking about, what they're talking about is the freedom of billionaire polluters to pollute, the freedom of billionaire banksters to rip us off, the freedom of the fossil fuel industry to poison our planet, perhaps even leading to the death of our species."
All well and good, but what Mein Trumpfy's followers are concerned with is The Culture War -- if they're not gonna Win it, they'll be more than happy to take the rest of the Planet out ... like they say, ya gotta expect a little collateral damage. The Billionaires, well, they've got their very-well-stocked hollowed-out coal mines....
Damn. Tricked again.
#33
#21
If your heart is as dark as your words I can see why free medical is so important to you.
Hate is a good source of medical problems.
Or is it just ego, getting that pat on the back from your followers?
AND funny how you keep on with the DT Pussy thing from 30, 40 years ago... but ignore the Harvey Hollywierd liberal cess pool that endorsed HC and MR. I didn't have sex with that woman which is is ongoing.
Omitting 1/2 the story might suit your purposes but isn't the truth.
Odd that you seem so concerned for the world yet so against your fellow counrty men and women.
#34
"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined..."
- George Washington, First Annual Address, to both House of Congress, January 8, 1790
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
- Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Constitution, Draft 1, 1776
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, January 30, 1787
"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms."
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, December 20, 1787
"The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
- Thomas Jefferson, Commonplace Book (quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria), 1774-1776
"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." - Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 19, 1785
"The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824
"On every occasion [of Constitutional interpretation] let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying [to force] what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, [instead let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed."
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, 12 June 1823
"I enclose you a list of the killed, wounded, and captives of the enemy from the commencement of hostilities at Lexington in April, 1775, until November, 1777, since which there has been no event of any consequence ... I think that upon the whole it has been about one half the number lost by them, in some instances more, but in others less. This difference is ascribed to our superiority in taking aim when we fire; every soldier in our army having been intimate with his gun from his infancy."
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Giovanni Fabbroni, June 8, 1778
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759
"To disarm the people...[i]s the most effectual way to enslave them."
- George Mason, referencing advice given to the British Parliament by Pennsylvania governor Sir William Keith, The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adooption of the Federal Constitution, June 14, 1788
"I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers."
- George Mason, Address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 4, 1788
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops."
- Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, October 10, 1787
"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of."
- James Madison, Federalist No. 46, January 29, 1788
"The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."
- James Madison, I Annals of Congress 434, June 8, 1789
"...the ultimate authority, wherever the derivative may be found, resides in the people alone..."
- James Madison, Federalist No. 46, January 29, 1788
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
- William Pitt (the Younger), Speech in the House of Commons, November 18, 1783
“A militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves…and include, according to the past and general usuage of the states, all men capable of bearing arms… "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
- Richard Henry Lee, Federal Farmer No. 18, January 25, 1788
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.... The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun."
- Patrick Henry, Speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778
"This may be considered as the true palladium of liberty.... The right of self defense is the first law of nature: in most governments it has been the study of rulers to confine this right within the narrowest limits possible. Wherever standing armies are kept up, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any color or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction."
- St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England, 1803
"The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms, like law, discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The balance ofpower is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside. And while a single nation refuses to lay them down, it is proper that all should keep them up. Horrid mischief would ensue were one-half the world deprived of the use of them; for while avarice and ambition have a place in the heart of man, the weak will become a prey to the strong. The history of every age and nation establishes these truths, and facts need but little arguments when they prove themselves."
- Thomas Paine, "Thoughts on Defensive War" in Pennsylvania Magazine, July 1775
"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
- Samuel Adams, Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788
"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them."
- Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833
"What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty .... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins."
- Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, I Annals of Congress 750, August 17, 1789
"For it is a truth, which the experience of ages has attested, that the people are always most in danger when the means of injuring their rights are in the possession of those of whom they entertain the least suspicion."
- Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 25, December 21, 1787
"If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no resource left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government, and which against the usurpations of the national rulers, may be exerted with infinitely better prospect of success than against those of the rulers of an individual state. In a single state, if the persons intrusted with supreme power become usurpers, the different parcels, subdivisions, or districts of which it consists, having no distinct government in each, can take no regular measures for defense. The citizens must rush tumultuously to arms, without concert, without system, without resource; except in their courage and despair."
- Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 28
"[I]f circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little, if at all, inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens. This appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist."
- Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 28, January 10, 1788
"As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms."
- Tench Coxe, Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789
#35
HotCoffee #33.
"You know not of what you speak," and you have no idea what's in my heart, you arrogant pissant. Don't mistake natural -- and legitimate -- emotions of disgust and anger at right-wing injustice, fascistic mayhem, and big f*cking Republican lies, with "hate" of other human beings. That's the purview of Trump and his "Lock her up!" haters, such as yourself, you hypocritical piece of ordure. And nobody is talking about "free medical." What the hell is wrong with you?
Also, piss poor job at deflecting there, Mensa-girl... Yup, f*ck Harvey Weinstein; but he's not the pretend president. And f*ck Bill Clinton; he's off the stage and relegated to the dustbin of history, as is Hillary, mostly. (Excuse me -- "Hellary.") Rest assured, although many of Bill's policy initiatives were progressive or at least quasi-progressive (Not all of course. Certainly, signing NAFTA was a major screw-up, but that was originally a Republican initiative through and through until recently when it became too politically unpopular.), I for one never did like the man at the personal level and attacked him mercilessly back in the day for his sexual transgressions and lies (adjudicated, impeached, and disbarred) as an embarrassment to our party.
But other than a sparse sprinkling of conscious-stricken Republicans here and there, where is the hue and cry for accountability and the outrage on the right -- your outrage -- for the much worse transgressions of the Pussy Grabber (his own words, proudly uttered)? Trump trolls are defending a pervert who forced himself on, what, nearly two dozen women so far and counting, who judges them by their looks not their minds, who makes mean hurtful remarks on stage and on camera ("Look at that face! Fat disgusting pig! After 35, they're too old."), who said publicly that he would love to "date" his own daughter, who lusted after a ten-year-old kid unfortunate enough to attract his creepy gaze, who thought it was cool to burst in on half-naked teenage girls in their dressing room while they were rushing around trying to get ready for the Miss Teen USA pageant? Add pedophile to his resumé.
Crickets...
So excuuuse me for not copying and pasting entire encyclopedia passages about every sexual pervert who has ever lived, so that I can meet your high expectations for the other "1/2 [of] the story." Obviously I don't mind long posts, even from knuckle-dragging unibrow Trump trolls (usually in one's own words though), but trying to cover all the bases for the delight of your personal egocentric satisfaction, or to mechanically copy and paste ad nauseam, would be a ridiculous exercise, such as #34 above, wouldn't it? (Hello? In case you're wondering, we all know how to use the Google machine for further background and research.)
And no, I am not "against [my] fellow counrty [sic] men and women" -- a deliberate mischaracterization of my words and meaning. Say, wasn't it you who once lectured everybody on how important it was to get our words just right? Okay then, I'm only "against" (very strongly) fascist pigs who wrap themselves in a flag and carry a cross, no matter what country they happen to crap in. It's not my fault that in this country, almost invariably, the looney-tunes and stark-raving-mad fascists happen to be Republicans. Is correlation cause?
FYI: The standard definition of an ad hominem attack is to rebut an argument by only criticizing the person without addressing the subject matter. In debate, that is categorized as false argument. But one can address the topic and rebut the substance as well as insult the hell out of an "opponent." That would not be considered an ad hominem attack; it would be a rebuttal with an opinion attached, which would be legitimate. Do you see the difference?
Now, don't get me wrong; being of Irish descendancy, I believe that insults are an art form whether they are given or received. Like a turd in granny's Christmas stocking, a good insult needs some polishin' and TLC. C'mon, who doesn't appreciate a proper scorching, eh? One can never master the art totally but only strive for perfection. I apologize, Madame HotCoffee, for constantly falling short of the quality insults you so well deserve.
LOL, and you can post whatever the hell your little shriveled-up black heart so desires. (Hint, this isn't Twitter; one doesn't have "followers.") Insults don't bother "me" one bit, since I seldom attach ego to much of anything on social media, especially on an anonymous blog for chrissake! (WTF?) But it sure opens the door that swings both ways, now doesn't it? In fact, I relish the opportunity to return fire at right-wing false and fragile egos invested too much in their own bullsh*t. It's cheap entertainment for my "dark heart."
I'm sorry that you have a myopic view of politics. You talk a good game about "both sides," but what we libtards detect in nearly all of your posts, are right-wing talking points that fairly consistently denigrate liberals, progressives, and/or Democrats. Evidently, your own personal interpretation of the Fux News "fair and balanced" lie is to be either on the right or on the extreme right -- IOW, Republican or Republican-lite.
F***ck thaaat!!! Why not just be honest about what "side" you are really on? Yes, there are sides in politics. There has to be, and there should be. The "third way" is just another lie perpetrated by corporatists to con us all into blending with the background herds of bland, gray fascist followers -- sporting different hairdos but not much else, wandering around aimlessly with hollow eyes and shallow thoughts like "walkers" on The Walking Dead. How convenient.
So, post #33 contains no substance, just ad hominem attacks and rather lame ones at that. Doesn't my "dark heart" deserve better and more biting insults than the thin soup you served up? It's so disappointing; please tell me ya got more than the equivalent of "you big poopy-head."
I'll read #34 later (after my eyeballs quit bleeding) and offer my studied psychological diagnosis and assessment for your exclusive enjoyment and betterment. Oh wait; they're all someone else's words. Never mind.
#36
It appears someone missed their meds.
#37
Affordable healthcare would be nice, especially helpful for when the cougars come out to scratch and bite. Prowling and lashing about.
#38
Thom raised the question yesterday about what we pay out of pocket in Canada for healthcare.
Generally, there are zero such costs for doctors visits, hospital visits and stays, ambulance services, etc.
In Ontario, for examaple, businesses over a certain size pay an approx 2% Employer Health Tax. Healthcare is funded from general tax revenue, both provincial and federal. Each province administers its own system, and receives transfer payments (i.e. block grants) from the federal govt for health care, education, infrastrucure, etc.
Doctors bill the provincial agency for their services, at a precribed rate. Participation is mandatory (i.e. no opting out).
Dental, vision, and drugs are not covered yet, but there is discussion about such ongoing, especially to better control rising drug prices. Even so drugs cost a fraction of the US cost.
In Ontario, seniors pay at most $100 per year for their drugs. Low income seniors (under $19,300) only pay a $2 dispensing fee.
Having lived in both Canada and the US, the quality of medical service is comparable. There are virtually no wait times, unless for an elective procedure (e.g. knee replacement surgery). Biggest difference is that in Canada, we do not worry about the cost of healthcare, and are more free to seek better more interesting employment, or start new businesses. We do not have the perverse notion of paying more when you lose your job (Cobra) though no fault of your own.
We are deeply grateful for the system we have here, and would not ever want an American-style system.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
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To add to the damage of the "New Health" bill. Brace yourselves for closing hospitals! And emergency rooms! No clients. No money. No money. No Doctors. Get ready to drive 50 to 100 miles to the "nearest" hospital. Maybe THEY are open.