Letters
Single-payer coverage
A lot of energy and debate has been focused on whether or not decent health care benefits should be taxed, federal money allowed to support a woman’s right to choose, and if health insurance should be mandated.
I believe that these single topic debates allow most politicians to forget the real issue — having a health system managed by private insurance companies leads to vast discrimination and putting profits before health.
The current system favors employed, married people at the exclusion of the self-employed, unemployed and non-married people in the community. There has been no talk during the current debate about changing an outdated discriminatory policy that forces non-married people with partners and children to choose between covering their partner and covering their children. In either case the “benefits” would be taxed, unlike with married couples.
There has also been no focus on the need to stop tying health insurance to employment, even in a time when unemployment rates have skyrocketed.
It is clear that trying to fix this broken system piece by piece is not working, that many discriminatory practices are being left as is. The system needs real reform! In order to have a system that puts health first, single-payer coverage is needed. Everyone in the community deserves to have access to health care, without bias or discrimination.
Ari Rosenberg, Lewiston
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The Democracy Experiment has
The Democracy Experiment has failed. AS we now see our system of government has failed, Congress can't get over itself long enough to do anything productive!! If ever there was a time for an American Dictator now is it!! Socialize America once and for all. Strip the wealthy of their ill gotten gains. Distribute the wealth evenly and level the playing field so all Americans can exist with a comfortable standard of living. Why should those of us who were fortunate enough to work hard and prosper have a much higher standard of living then those who chose an easier path? Whether you are a brain surgeon or the greeter at Wal-Mart, we should all have the same rate of pay and same standard of living. Are brain surgeon’s children any more important then the children of the Wal-Mart greeter, why should the children suffer while the parents struggle? All men are created equal it's our earning potential that separates us. Obama For Supreme Ruler of America 2012!!
verified Matt - I'm afraid you're
Matt - I'm afraid you're confusing "Equal outcome" with "Equality of outcomes"
Equality of Outcomes meaning that we can all go to college, we can all access health care, etc - what we do with it is up to our own incentive, work, and ability.
Am I able to earn $10 Million or am I held back? If I am held back by an inequality, then there is a problem. If I am held back by my inability - then that's just me.
So I'm only happy if nobody get more than I? What the hell planet did you drop off of?
You've really got a 'Socialist' hang-up.... What engendered that? Let me guess. Talk Radio or Fox Cable..... What serious reading have you done about it.
If you don't have any idea of achievements coming out of socialist countries - then you are probably ill-read.
verified So you don't want Socialized
So you don't want Socialized Medicine because you don't want an "Equality of Outcome" - or health for all?
Why not?
Theodore Roosevelt thought that it was a good idea.
We have a socialized military for National Defense; socialized Fire Departments and socialized Law Enforcement for Public Safety. Why not a socialized health care system??
A socialized military because
A socialized military because "defense" is something the Constitution actually allows. Don't remember anything about "health care" mentioned in the Articles, though Lil applies the "general welfare" clause to everything....
idea
So get married and get a JOB already. Works for many of us.
verified With socialized medicine, all
With socialized medicine, all jobs would be covered by Health Care.
Are they now?
Of course not.
And why?
why? because atleast 21% of
why? because atleast 21% of the people in this state are on some type of entitlement from the state and I'm guessing some of them could be workin...
What we need is everyone to
What we need is everyone to stop wanting the government to "fix" everything.It's not the answer. Where in the Constatution does it say that Washington is responsable to take care of us? Health care is a privalage. not a right, just like voteing, The President (socialist that he is) needs to concentrate on protecting and defending the constatution as he swore he'd do when he took the oath of office, and all his follow the leader no matter where he goes idiots need to go home, term limits and less govt. intrusion in to our lives is what is called for,not more government, If SSDD thinks Frances' health care system is so great... go live there, I work for what I have.I appericate it more, I only wish people had more pride in themselves and worked and provided for there own. How'd we ever survive 200 years ago??
verified Constitution
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Helping your citizens remain healthy sounds like it fits under "promote the general welfare", or are you reading a different constitution?
verified Bryan - We do have pride in
Bryan - We do have pride in ourselves.
It's just that we're so damn tired of being ripped of by this legalized "Protection Racket" which is the Insurance Industry.
It is the job of the Government to 'fix' things - to level the playing field so that we small players have every right and advantage as do the big players. But, unfortunately - big money and big business win out too often. You might think you work for what you have, but you probably work for much more - and get less than what you work for - that's the system we labor under. And it's not right.
Now, you feel that the President isn't protecting and defending the Constitution. How so?? Something you heard on Fox? Or Rush? The President was a Constitutional Law Professor in his younger days - he probably knows a bit more about it than you. Perhaps you'de better tell us what actions of his are violating the Constitution - and - why the government hasn't been brought to court for these violations.
We shouldn't have to go to France for the best Health Care System in the world. We should be able to do it right here in the United States. But that's not how we do things here. Our health care system is "Profit Driven" rather than "Service Driven." The expected result is 'Profit' rather than 'Health Care Delivery'
Is that how it should be?? You better start asking yourself some serious questions, and rely less on what others tell you.
How is it the governments job
How is it the governments job to fix things? can you answer that with a logical explaination, other than the liberal socialist agenda pablum that is fed to you by the liberal media. Talking points from ABC,CBS,NBC. If you think the annointed one is so wonderful, why does he have to push his communist agenda with his back room dealings? bribe his fellow comunistdemocrats with large amounts of cash for their states, the lousiana purchase comes to mind, not the first one,but the recent one a few months back, you also say "level the playing field" what do you mean by that? If I work hard and get a great job like I have and can afford the healthcare program that my employer offers, should the government come in and take more of my pay and "redistribute the wealth" to someone who hasn't the ambition and drive I have to make sure their lazy rearends are treated fairly just because I was more fortunate to get a great job.I've worked for 30 years,some really nasty jobs, I resent the way you liberals think that those of us who don't drink the obamareidpelosie kool-aid are just profit driven mean people, I'm not like that. but I resent people like you who think that Big Government is the way to go. I truely feel sorry for you and your kind. maybe when you get so old that you are a burden to the government, they will let you choose. eithier the grape kool-aid or the strawberry.remember to drink it down fas and don't ask questions.
"protection racket"? I guess
"protection racket"? I guess if by "protection racket" you mean paying somebody to insure against catastrophic financial loss due to medical needs. Isn't that what the term, "insurance" means? Pay a premium in the hopes that you never need to use it. If you are unfortunate enough to have medical issues arise then the insurance company will pay. That's what happens with my auto insurance. I have paid THOUSANDS of dollars in premiums in my lifetime and have never made a claim. Same with my homeowners insurance. What a racket! I demand that veritas and tron pay my auto insurance premiums! Or better yet let's have the government run auto insurance! How long do you think it would take to secure a rental and wait for repairs if Washington was in charge of that?
verified Matt writes: If you are
Matt writes: If you are unfortunate enough to have medical issues arise then the insurance company will pay.
They will pay?
Wrong, Matt. They MAY pay. You obviously haven't been paying attention.
"But as it turns out, an estimated three-quarters of people who are pushed into personal bankruptcy by medical problems actually had insurance when they got sick or were injured."
See: Insured, but Bankrupted by Health Crises
Okay, being the nice guy I
Okay, being the nice guy I am, I read the article again...no where does it explain why the pewrson purchasing a substandard policy did not understand their benefits, and no where does it say the cost of health insurance bankrupted him. Again, what it fails to communicate is the illness or injury most likely caused him not to be able to work and ALL bills piled up. The most important thing I take away from the article is know your coverage before seeking treatment, not after...
Veritas, most experts seem to
Veritas, most experts seem to think medical bills are at best the #4 reason for filing personal bankruptcy. All you've shown with such a flippant statement is that people get sick who have insurance, but thats not why they file bakruptcy. Theres a step missing in your logic - they get sick AND CAN'T WORK so their bills (all of them) pile up and they have to file bankruptcy. Thus its not the health insurance issue but medical issue that caused the harm, thus your frustration should be with your government allowing people to actually get sick. You think government should fix things - thats a great place to start...(said tongue in cheek)
verified That wasn't MY statement,
That wasn't MY statement, Matt. It was one of the nation's leading newspapers - with the data to back it up.
You obviously didn't slow down long enough to notice the "Quotes" nor the link that I provided.
Rough being an ideologue, isn't it Fella..... You can't let facts get in your way.
umm Veritas, you responded to
umm Veritas, you responded to Matt, when it wasn't Matt who replied....how ironic that once again you criticize others for doing what YOU do in the very same post. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
verified Hey - everyone once in awhile
Hey - everyone once in awhile I mix the Players up - but the truth never changes.
Maybe you should demonstrate
Maybe you should demonstrate a tolerance of others' honest mistakes as easily as you dismiss your own.
But nothing about the
But nothing about the millions and millions of people who do not become bankrupt and who receive excellent care. Instead you immediately look to the government to take care of you. In other words you expect others to pay for your care. That's the plan you favor.
Why not instead look at ways to actually reduce costs? Punish those who defraud.... Tort reform.... and most importantly allow competition to set the market. Liberal policies have forced us into this position, where naturally, liberals can enforce a government "solution" to the problems they created.
A question: What are the only two medical procedures that have gone DOWN in cost over the past twenty years?.... a Hint.... neither are covered by insurance typically.... laser eye surgery and cosmetic surgery. How can this happen? When people pay out of pocket, they shop around. Free markets work, but only when your government allows them to. Instead, your government has forced competition out of Maine and has regulated the industry to the point where it cannot work.
The issue here really boils down to a simple question. Would you rather trust your government to keep you healthy, or would you rather trust the free market? Unfortunately, many people are looking at this as individuals with their hands out-again. They (you?) feel that it is their right and that government (my tax dollars) pay for them.
You talk about fairness and equality, or that special socialist code-word, "justice"? Where's the justice in that?
verified Competition has set 'The
Competition has set 'The Market' - Matt, and that's why we, with a Health Care System designed to deliver profit rather than health care - as every other industrialized nation has, ranks 37th in the world's effectiveness of health care delivery.
Would I rather trust the Government to keep me healthy or the free market?
That's a 'No Brainer" - The government. I'm entitled to Veterans' health care, and by God - I avail myself of it.
The free market has failed America due to greed. It sent most of our jobs overseas.
Look what it did to Lewiston.
I completely agree that
I completely agree that "greed" has hurt Lewiston. Greedy local politicians made a decision to grab $$ at the federal trough and brought in thousands of people who cannot support themselves. Brought them to a place that had no jobs for them and by default pits them against a citizenry that cannot and should not support them. These people deserved better and the mayor and non-profits who brought them here are to blame. Either Mayor Tara and/or Catholic Charities simply stuck their greedy hands out as I described, or they were stupid enough to think it could work. If anyone is a racist it's those who brought people here to further an agenda without considering the reality on the ground. We can't support them. Is that what you mean by "look what 'greed' did to Lewiston"?
Sad that someone who served his country by fighting against socialism ( I assume you served during either the Vietnam or Cold war) now espouses quite vocally the very same ideology he pledged to fight against.
verified Now how were those
Now how were those politicians 'Enriched' as you allege?
The people who shipped jobs overseas sought cheaper labor to increase profit.
Now you can explaimn your position.
BTW, Matt - We didn't pledge to fight against 'Socialism or 'Communism" when we were in the military - Who in the hell ever told you we did??
Obviously you weren't in the service, otherwise you would be familiar with the Oath of Enlistment.
Didn't Mayor Tara get a job
Didn't Mayor Tara get a job with St. mary's or Catholic Charities to help with the immigrant programs after doing all this...that would be a good example of enriching yourself.
They weren't enriched in
They weren't enriched in monetary terms, but in that feel-goodie currency favored by bleeding hearts. Doing so made them feel sooo good about themselves despite the hardships put upon the locals as well as what it forced the new arrivals to endure. They were rich in the feeling that they were so much smarter than everyone, that they could solve 2 problems at one. Never mind that "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
I know you didn't pledge to fight against socialism/communism directly. You did swear to defend the Constitution though, didn't you? Whom did you "fight" against? Directly or indirectly it was the Soviets. USSR stands for what, again? I did not serve, but my father was at Normandy. I am quite sure I know where he would stand in this argument....
verified Why was your father at
Why was your father at Normany????
Let's see. Nazism assumed power in Germany in 1933. Did we go to war then? No.
France declared war on Germany in 1939, but didn't invade. Did we go to war then? No.
On May 10, 1940, Germany invaded France. Did we go to war then? No.
Wow - the Nazis have been running amuck in Germany for over seven years, then they, invading France, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, etc - and the United States remains neutral. They even sink some of our ships.
Finally, on Dec 8th, 1941 - the day after Pearl Harbor - Germany declares War on the United States. In return, we declare War on Germany.
All this stuff you've heard about fighting for freedom, etc. Just what is it??
You know, Vietnam used to be a French Colony.
After World War I, President Wilson went to Paris to help inaugerate the "League of Nations" - the precursor of the United Nation. Wilson had urged the U.S. to finally enter World War I to make the "World safe for Democracy."
A Vietnamese, Nguyen Ai Quoc, who was working for Vietnam's independence from French Rule, sent a proposal to President Wilson during the 1919 Versailles Peace Conference asking to meet him in Paris. Thanh desired America's help in gaining freedom for Vietnam from France. He attempted to present President Woodrow Wilson with a proposal to free Vietnam from colonialism, but was turned away. The proposal was never officially acknowledged by the United States.
Quoc must look elsewhere for the assistance he needs. He helps found the French Communist Party which splits from the Socialist Party. He works with other groups of radical expatriates and later goes to Russia and joined the ComIntern.
He changes his name to Ho Chi Minh.
- Now, had the United States actually practiced the freedom and democracy that we preach - history would have been very much different. Ho Chi Minh used the Communists only because America turned him down. Above all, he wanted freedom for Vietnam - freedom from the French, then Freedom from America.
Matt, you need to learn history.
We don't fight "Isms" We fight for national interests. We cared less about Nazism until Germany declared war on us. And we cared less about Democracy in Vietnam until we wanted to maintain a sphere of influence in Eastern Asia.
Glad to see some more support for single payer
In France this is what is needed for single payer, and France has the best health care outcomes in the world: A 7% payroll tax and $120/month gets your average French person his/her healthcare. And that is for everything from copays, prescriptions, the works. No unexpected bills, no sticker-shock, no fighting with insurers.
Most Americans would pay pay that and could afford that.
And just imagine how much more competitive our economy would be if it was freed from health care eating so much of our GDP?
The rankings by the WHO
The rankings by the WHO factor in "income fairness" (Socialist much?) as 25% of the score. This means that a socialist country where everything is paif for by the governement is rewarded regardless of the actual quality of health care delivered. 2 other factors also rate "equality" or "distribution" rather than the quality of care. This is an obviously biased ranking meant to punish those countries with free market systems in place. Anyone with any logic can see that. Also, these rankings rely on countires to self-report thos e statistics that actually do matter to healthcare quality. As an example of how that might be skewed, some countries do not count a "live birth" until the baby has survived outside of the womb for various periods of time. One week...one month, etc... This means that a newborn who dies within a few days of life will count against the "life expectancy at birth" in the US, but not in say, Cuba. Do you really want to travel to Angorra, or Spain for those cancer treatments?
verified So you have a problem with
So you have a problem with fairness?
You prefer 'Robber Barons?'
Interesting.
I learned 'Socialism' when I was in our military. I was paid the same whether I worked two hours a day - or twenty.
I have a huge problem with
I have a huge problem with the socialist definition of "fairness" which means equal outcomes for all. I much prefer the intent of the Founders who fought for individual rights. You and I have rights, or freedomes, which guarantee us nothing except a government which is not supposed to get in the way of our own endeavours. By choosing the liberal lie, you skip the "effort" part of the equation and go right to the end results. Guaranteed equal outcomes for all. THAT is the problem with liberalism. It lowers the bar for all and eliminates the DESIRE that is necessary for individuals to achieve greatness. You don't want greatness. You're only happy if nobody gets more than you do. Great plan! Just look at al of the remarkable achievements coming from socialist countries over the years!
verified Matt - I'm afraid you're
Matt - I'm afraid you're confusing "Equal outcome" with "Equality of outcomes"
Equality of Outcomes meaning that we can all go to college, we can all access health care, etc - what we do with it is up to our own incentive, work, and ability.
Am I able to earn $10 Million or am I held back? If I am held back by an inequality, then there is a problem. If I am held back by my inability - then that's just me.
So I'm only happy if nobody get more than I? What the hell planet did you drop off of?
You've really got a 'Socialist' hang-up.... What engendered that? Let me guess. Talk Radio or Fox Cable..... What serious reading have you done about it.
If you don't have any idea of achievements coming out of socialist countries - then you are probably ill-read.
You're right. I have a hangup
You're right. I have a hangup about socialism. In fact for 50 years most Americans had more than a hangup about it. People fought and died to fight against an external socialist enemy. Unfortunately, even people who fought against that external enemy have succumbed to the lie. They forgot about the "internal enemies" they (you) swore to defend against. The socialists have won. By taking over the schools, and the unions, and then government, they have succeeded where they could not do so militarily. They indoctrinated enough people in the schools, got 50% of the voters on the government teat, and presto!
But Americans are waking up and this little experiment will be over soon enough. I for one am glad that your side appears to have overreached! By the way, I don't hear much about Presidential power-grabs nowadays? bush can't intercept cellphone calls to nown terrorists, but Obama can go ahead and take over private banks, car companies and 1/6 of the economy... no problem, he means well!
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Senator Alfond must be naive....
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Gotta love Goodwill. I have been a "member" for a number of years. Yes... I'm also a Goodwill addict. Thanks for all you guys do!
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Almost half of the human race died before sixteen years of age, and child labor was the rule.
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