unaffiliated_person wrote:
This is also interesting. The US did not even make it into the top 10 (Canada is number 10). The real question is why are people healthier and happier in Europe versus here?
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2006/gb20061011_072596.htm

According to, hurting for facts, the only reason is that their healthcare is free.

ThomasK wrote:
unaffiliated_person wrote:
This is also interesting. The US did not even make it into the top 10 (Canada is number 10). The real question is why are people healthier and happier in Europe versus here?
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2006/gb20061011_072596.htm

According to, hurting for facts, the only reason is that their healthcare is free.

My opinion would aim towards government inaction. Over the past few years, it seems like all 3 branches do nothing that the people care about. Immigration was a huge issue, nothing came of it. The Iraq war was a huge issue, nothing came of it. Gas prices are a huge issue, nothing will come from it. As I recall, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

unaffiliated_person wrote:
ThomasK wrote:
unaffiliated_person wrote:
This is also interesting. The US did not even make it into the top 10 (Canada is number 10). The real question is why are people healthier and happier in Europe versus here?
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2006/gb20061011_072596.htm

According to, hurting for facts, the only reason is that their healthcare is free.

My opinion would aim towards government inaction. Over the past few years, it seems like all 3 branches do nothing that the people care about. Immigration was a huge issue, nothing came of it. The Iraq war was a huge issue, nothing came of it. Gas prices are a huge issue, nothing will come from it. As I recall, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Now imagine if they were in charge of providing you access to medical care...because the government has a wonderful track record.

unaffiliated_person wrote:
JLD wrote:
truthhurts wrote:
JLD wrote:
truthhurts wrote:
JLD wrote:
However, I think McCain is correct about Obama's desire for a bigger government. Obama has some very socialist leanings and I think he will push for a more Socialist government. And that scares the hell out of me.
Yeah, I sure pity all those countries (and boy, are there a lot) who have universal health care and also have lower infant mortalities and longer life expectancies than we do.

I guess they don't know how bad off they really are.

Hmm, maybe you would prefer to live there then if they are so much better.
Naw, I prefer to live here and be part of the change. Thanks for the thought, though.

Two posts and you have avoided the issue. So why do these countries (Japan, Canada, Sweden, France, Iceland, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Germany to name a few) with universal health care have lower infant mortalities and longer life expectancies than we do?

Go ahead, tell us why it is? Surely conservative talk radio has an answer, don't they?

Again, I don't bother listening to conservative talk radio. Care to bring it up again?

But to your question about mortality rates, I don't know the answer. Do you? I suppose you can show that it is a direct result of their socialized health care then?

Apparently it is:
http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2007/04/health_care_the.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/02/business/fi-healthspend2
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jun2007/gb20070613_921562.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/business/18leonhardt.html
http://www.bcbs.com/news/national/europe-healthier-than-u-s.html

I was never for socialized medicine, but it does seem to work better. They pay less for better care. I look at my premiums, copays, coinsurance, deductible, etc. and cannot figure out how a lower income family could afford to ever see a doctor. Europe has lower blood pressure, more facetime with doctors, and some countries have higher life expectancies. Providing care for all costs less overall, creates less dependency on emergency rooms, and ensures people get adequate care instead of waiting for the crisis point.

You both make good points, but you are also comparing apples to oranges. The health and life expectancy has as much to do with, possibly more so, the obesity and overall health habits of Americans vs. our counterparts.

Go ahead and push for socialized health care but the likely fact is that the majority of Americans don't want the government deciding who gets what kind of health care and when, nor do they want to contribute their hard earned money into a system the American government isn't going to be able to handle efficiently.

unaffiliated_person wrote:
ThomasK wrote:
unaffiliated_person wrote:
This is also interesting. The US did not even make it into the top 10 (Canada is number 10). The real question is why are people healthier and happier in Europe versus here?
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2006/gb20061011_072596.htm

According to, hurting for facts, the only reason is that their healthcare is free.

My opinion would aim towards government inaction. Over the past few years, it seems like all 3 branches do nothing that the people care about. Immigration was a huge issue, nothing came of it. The Iraq war was a huge issue, nothing came of it. Gas prices are a huge issue, nothing will come from it. As I recall, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Don't you know? That's all going to change.

ThomasKnow it all doesn't care why he has so few friends. Who needs friends when you know it all?