"[O]f those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants." -- Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 1 ob⋅se⋅qui⋅ous /əbˈsikwiəs/ –adjective 1. characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow. 2. servilely compliant or deferential: obsequious servants. 3. obedient; dutiful. Dear Reader, Leslie Schwartz is the owner of the New Democrat list at YahooGroups. We, she and I, have started a debate as civilly and respectfully as we are capable. Please know you are very welcome to join the discussion. Send your comments to the list you recd this and cc the Slick Reply list at [email protected] Leslie, First, thanks for providing the info on the banking. A lot of hard work. A lot to analyze. Thank you, thank you. Re: Socialized medicine. First, you must be aware Snopes is no longer the great resource it once was. It has adopted a progressive agenda under new owners. Nevertheless, it is a good place to start. Certainly the term “socialized medicine” has become a 4-letter word. At the same time, how can anyone complain about the term “socialized” medicine when it was created by Otto von Bismark?!! Like wise, Fact Check, and the Washington Post are hardly neutal. Statements like “injecting a little fear” is better associated with the the socialized medicine supporters at this time. They are the ones talking about having your foot cut off if you have diabetes because your doctor will get paid more. Or, the tens of millions of people (including illegal aliens) that can only be treated in hospitals because they don’t have insurance. Certainly the talk of “death panels” and putting off mamograms for 10 years is fearful. But won’t putting off mamograms until age 50 result in a death panel directive for many women? To quote Shakespere. “a rose by any other name…” How can millions of patients be added to the system without a comparable number of new medical providers? A fair and realistic warning is not fear mongering. It must be a consideration. The idea that the USA should adopt socialized medicine because everyone else is doing it reminds me of what my mom told me: if Joey jumped off a building would you follow him? We know factually, all new medicines are created by just a handful of nations, including the USA . We know Canada negotiates low prices with Big Pharma after others, aka, the American tax payer, pays the R&D portion. Likewise, Mexico sells US drugs at a fraction of the cost we pay in the USA . When I was in Mexico I bought a prescription drug my wife was taking (same supplier, same American label) at a sizable discount! We know Canadian doctors refer patients to the US to be treated due to time it takes to get an appointment. The UK residents are going to India for cheaper prices and quicker services. Self-insured Americans are finding Caribbean vaction spots staffed with well trained doctors. Some doctors, including my wife’s GP, doesn’t accept medicade or auto accidents because of the problems of getting paid, or not being paid enough. If Medicare cuts doctor pay to Medicaid levels, she may have to hunt for a new GP and he may be spending more time on the links. (How many years does it take to become a doctor?) Snopes says 80% wannabe patients in Canada are seen in less than 3 months for MRI or Cat Scans! 89% can see a specialist within 3 months. In the USA a record like this would be investigated by the govt followed by a suit for big bucks in the courts. This is unacceptable in this country. Last time in Canada there was a 7% fedl sales tax to pay for their socialized medicine. I think I read it was 10% now. If we adopt socialized medicine, where will the Canadiens go for life saving treatment? I have a personal story to compare to. A few years ago, my son lost a fight with a stump grinder. It was his first week on the job; the contractor didn’t have a pot to hiss in, if you get my meaning. Under Texas law, the land owner was not liable. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and treated. They saved his near-amputated foot. A plastic surgeon (yes that surprised me too) took an artery from his stomach and put it in his foot, then took another artery from his back and put it in his stomach. (She explained the back artery wasn’t strong enough for the foot, and the stomach artery could get by with the smaller back vein.) All told, he spent 6 – 8 weeks in the hospital. That was 3 years ago. He no longer needs a wheel chair, but he’s still in danger of losing his foot if neglected. The hospital filed with SSI, and as of today, I don’t believe they’ve been paid and his personal case is still “pending”. Don’t know if you read my Rant this week. If Medicare stays the same… So if MediCare health benefits are extended to 55-year-olds, they can expect to pay out-of pocket $1,770 annual insurance premium for the PPO, or $1,291 annually if they choose HMO coverage, plus co-pays and a % of the prescription drug benefit up to the $2,700 donut. You know how they expect to start charging the new inductees for 4 years before paying out any benefits? Well, that’s not a new trick. FDR collected payroll taxes for 5 years before the first Social Security check was issued. Sorta blows a donut hole in that misinformation propaganda that it was always meant to be a pay-as-you-go plan, huh? THE ABOVE FIGURES ARE TAKEN FROM ACTUAL SSA 2010 FORMS What ever hapened to the Home of the Brave and Land of the Free? -- To join RichsRants, send email to: [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/richsrants?hl=en
