That being said, government spending needs to be cut, but there are plenty of other areas to go after.

They’re happier. They’re healthier. They’re more humane. They have more balanced lives. They live in cleaner environments. Etc., etc.

The facts are these: since at least the 1930s, all Western countries have implemented certain degree of socialism. America has had a mixed economy since the 1930s.

‘Socialism’ is not a bad word (at least if you’re reasonably educated), and socialism is FAR from communism, so don’t even try to play that card.

I’m a capitalist. I believe in markets. I simply want markets to be well-regulated, and to have a robust social safety net for the citizenry.

Do I want to be EXACTLY like those countries I mentioned? No. That’s probably too much social democracy for my tastes, but we’re not even close to that point.

And I haven’t even gotten to issues of war and civil liberties. Suffice it to say: if you think America needs to torture to keep the nation safe, then we’ve already lost.

As far as that goes, if he is suing him in the US for something that happened in Cuba, good luck with that. I am sure the Cuban Gov’t can’t wait to cooperate.

That doesn’t change the fact that you’re frustratingly, depressingly ignorant and routinely post ignorant things. When you go further and try to question whether others are even in a position to point out your nonsense because of something as arbitrary as age, yeah, it strikes me as worthy of considerable derision.

If you want to continue posting dumb things on the internet, fine, that’s your prerogative. But don’t be surprised when some relatively informed asshole comes along and calls you an idiot.

Back to baseball.

“I know which butters bread better, but I also see as a basic citizen what I expect from tax dollars.” Again…good stuff Kiwi. This is my kind of discussion.

Sooo…you go private if the need is absolutely essential. I get that.
But what if someone doesn’t have the monies?
They wait till’ the Government teet becomes available?
To me…that is incredibly unfortunate.
Just for the record…I pay (for a family of four)…$170.00+ PER WEEK in Insurance.
Well done Kiwi. Good discussion.

FAT SACKS OF CASH as a medical practitioner that’s why.
Private and government healthcare all exist in other countries. If you want the finest most prompt care, you pay through your nose. Same as any country in the world. The things being highlighted are the basic provision of healthcare.

I understand what you are saying, and respect that. Population size making it very difficult, but not impossible. Not even close.
Instituting something overnight will not happen, but striving towards something which benefits literally each and every citizen of your enormous country is something worth working towards.

Spending trillions on invading countries to try and steal their oil could be better used for healthcare, infrastructure, education and more baseball stadiums for billionaires.

My family has owned 2 different private medical practices in two different countries, so I feel I have a pretty balanced view. I know which butters bread better, but I also see as a basic citizen what I expect from tax dollars.

Read a fucking book or something man.

I was treated and respected in many different countries hospitals in the past 12 years. While working in California I was left bleeding in reception while people debated over my insurance coverage and non-permanent residence.

I have paid a lot more than I have taken pal.

How about we stop paying welfare recepients and other government assistance programs that take their checks/debit cards and purchase lottery tickets and alcohol.

Hell, they should just ask these people to send them their rent & utilities bills and the governement will pay them. Save a boat load of cash there.

How about we put our foot down and tell the military contractors that we will pay you 4% over cost for your cool; stuff?

and of those 45,000 people that die each year (estimated) how many do you think actually can get health care, but don’t