--- In [email protected], "shempmcgurk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], "do.rflex" <do.rflex@> wrote:
> >
> > --- In [email protected], "shempmcgurk" <shempmcgurk@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > --- In [email protected], "do.rflex" <do.rflex@> 
> wrote:
> > > 
> > > 
> > > [snip]
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > > Capitalism is indeed the most successful economic model yet 
> developed,
> > > > and the avarice that lies at its core among the most powerful
> > > > motivators known.  But the system is designed to make private 
> money,
> > > > not public good.
> > > 
> > > [snip]
> > > 
> > > The first sentence of what you write above, do.rflex, is the best 
> thing 
> > > you've ever written...indeed, I think it should be in a book of 
> quotes.
> > > 
> > > The second sentence, however, is slightly flawed and inaccurate.
> > > 
> > > Yes, the system makes for its sellers of goods and 
> services "private 
> > > money", as you say and is NOT designed to create any public 
> good.  
> > > However, as a by-product of this totally selfish-motivated 
> system, I 
> > > suggest to you that the public good is best served.
> > > 
> > > You and others have observed that this may be true in some 
> sectors of 
> > > the economy but it is not happening in the health sector.  And my 
> > > observation would be: there isn't a true free market in the 
> health 
> > > sector; once there was, then we could judge it accordingly.  
> There is 
> > > TOO MUCH government control that in the health sector that I 
> would 
> > > suggest to you that its faults are the result of the socialized 
> aspect, 
> > > not the capitalist aspect.
> > 
> > 
> > McDonald's and Exxon-Mobil exist for exactly the same purpose.  Yes,
> > one of them sells billions of hamburgers, while the other pumps
> > billions of barrels of oil, but grease is not the common interest 
> they
> > share.  It's money.
> > 
> > McDonald's Corporation exists to make money, not McRibs.  If the
> > corporation thinks it can make more money by making high quality
> > burgers at a high price, it will do that.  If it can make more money
> > by making low quality burgers at a low price, it will do that.  And 
> if
> > they can get away with making low quality burgers at a high price,
> > they will do that -- with great joy.
> > 
> > No matter what corporate motto is stamped on the side of products or
> > what words hang on the boardroom wall, corporations are simply money
> > machines.  That's true of McDonald's or Exxon-Mobil.  It's also true
> > of Aetna, and HealthSouth, and Cigna, and Kaiser, and the other
> > private health insurers. They exist to make money.  If they can make
> > money by providing health services, they will do so.  If they can 
> make
> > more money by denying services, then they will do that.  They will
> > provide exactly as much care as maximizes their profits.
> > 
> > And not a penny more.
> > 
> > The public good can NOT reliably depend on the greed of capitalism.
> > Its motivation is NOT altruistic and its NOT designed with the 
> common
> > good in mind at all.
> >
> 
> I agree with 100% of what you write above...
> 
> But I will add the following proviso: government does it 10 times 
> worse.  So, whereever possible, even in the altruistic health care 
> field, try to find a way to get free enterprise to provide the good 
> or service needed because they'll do it bette than any government 
> program will.


Private insurance for profit = 31% overhead 

Medicare = 2% overhead




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