Want Socialized Medicine? Great. I'd Be Dead

[avatar4321]

Now that's the sort of "ugly American" comment that gets other people's backs up. You're entitled to that view, as factually wrong as it is. In 1776 the independence of the British colonies in America had little effect in Europe. Europe was in turmoil itself, there were mini-revolutions happening all over the show. That Britain finally decided to leave its southern North American colonies meant Britain was able to recall troops for its much needed European campaigns.

oh please. The French Revolution was a direct result of the American Revolution. and that changed the face of Europe completely.

[diuretic]

oh please. The French Revolution was a direct result of the American Revolution. and that changed the face of Europe completely.

I don't think so. The American Revolution was economic as much as it was political. The colonies had grown up, they got cranky with the British (and rightly so) and booted them out. Your country gained its independence. The French Revolution was an overthrow of a complete regime internally. It was driven not so much by mercantilist economic factors as a desire to see an end to the absolutism of the French monarchy and its feudal system and for it to be replaced by what we'd call a more democratic form of government and a fairer economic system. I won't get into the details of what happened later as it's not relevant. But if you're arguing that there was a direct link between the American Revolution and the French Revolution then I'd say that's a pretty long bow you're pulling on.

Now, as for the effect if the revolution in France on the rest of Europe, yes, it had a major effect.

[diuretic]

Back to the topic. You know it's really straightforward. Rather than quote articles at each other why not stick to the basics. The US seems to prefer a health system which is operated for profit by private companies on a user pays basis. Much of the rest of the world (I'm generalising) prefers a socialised approach to funding health care delivery which can take various forms.

The US consistently lags many other countries in key indicators of public health. It lags behind other countries with far less wealthy economies. That's because top class health care is available to those who can afford it while those who can't afford it have to get what they can. The elites, the corporate and political elites, are doing fine. They can afford the finest health care in the US and they buy it. But the finest health care in the US isn't available to those who can't afford it. If that's how you like it then fine, no problems. But don't express cynicism about those world-wide key indicators of public health. Some of us think health care isn't a right, that it should be purchased, like any other commodity and if you can't afford to buy it then you go without or you get second-rate care. Some of us think that access to good health care is part of the social contract and its cost should be borne by society. Fine, go with what works for you.