On Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:17:57 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"jps" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:02:39 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...

It's actually going to be even more complicated than that. Every
country that I'm aware of with universal coverage has some sort of
implicit or explicit rationing of care, i.e., if you don't have a
condition that is immediately life threatening, you go on a waiting
list which can stretch out for months or even years.

Should an individual who can afford to pay be allowed to seek out a
doctor or hospital that can provide the care immediately?

I argue yes, otherwise the whole plan reeks of socialism.


The health care system certainly needs a major overhaul. The existing
mess
of a system not only affects those individuals who can't afford high
premiums for decent insurance, it affects the whole basis of our economic
system. Small businesses can no longer afford to offer a decent health
plan
package for employees. Large businesses are outsourcing as much as they
can
to stay competitive in a global economy, contributing to the unemployment
rate.

Contrary to the opinion of some here, the primary purpose of a corporation
(large or small) is not to provide a happy, secure shell of existence for
employees. The purpose is to manufacture or provide services at a
profit.
The profit can be applied to growth and/or increased income and benefits
for
those employed. If there is no profit, benefits have to be cut and jobs
eliminated.

I recently got a snapshot of how my former company is doing. Second to
pay, health insurance premiums (the company paid 75 percent when I owned
it)
is the largest financial cost to the company. It was when I owned it and
it
continues now, except the monthly cost per employee has almost doubled in
less than 10 years.

If I owned the company right now, I suspect I'd be facing a very difficult
decision ... or the decision would be already have been made for me.
Shut
the place down. Fortunately, the current owners have deep pockets and
are
betting on a single, major technology to recover the financing they are
pouring into it to keep the doors open.

I was also thinking the other day of how ironic some things have become.
Back in 1985 I visited the People's Republic of China. The Chinese
government was experimenting with concepts of capitalism in some remote
sections of the country and my company was invited to visit and explore
possible technology exchanges and marketing opportunities. Prior to this
time, the general Chinese population were mostly kept in the dark with
respect to what the rest of the world was doing and relied upon a
socialistic/communistic form of government to provide for them. During
my
visit I remember thinking it was like a time warp, and I had traveled back
about 200 years in time.

Fast forward now to 2010. The experiments in capitalism have led to
China
becoming a leading economic world power. The city I visited (Wuxi) is
bustling with business activity. When I was there I witnessed thousands
of
people riding around on bicycles or scooters with maybe one or two
automobiles mixed in driven by government officials. I recently found
pictures of the current city of Wuxi. The roads are packed with new cars
owned by the local citizens. Very few bicycles left.

Meanwhile, the USA is accelerating quickly towards socialism.

Maybe this is acceptable to the "enlightened" ones. As an old fart to
whom
this country afforded great opportunities and rewards, I am saddened.

Eisboch

I knew this would culminate with a head-in-the-ass comment and you did
not disappoint.

Socialism? You been watching Glenn Beck?

China doesn't give a **** if their citizens are exposed to myriad
chemicals that are known carcinogens. Their water is often
contaminated with those same chemicals because they don't have to
spend money controlling their disposal. They make a fraction of
what's required for a living wage in the USA.

I suppose that's okay with you in the name of Chinese profit.

You'd like to recreate China in the US? You'd have to take us back to
the beginning of the industrial revolution when child labor was common
and health care was primitive.

You haven't offered a solution but you've used bumper sticker logic to
back up your position.

How bloody sad that your facile mind cannot travel further than that.



I have some very strong views on what the solution is. You wouldn't like
them however and it would just generate another round of your immature,
naive comments and name calling.

Best to let you take care of yourself and your family your way.

I'll continue to do it my way.

Eisboch

Then cease with the innane bluster, Richard. We don't need to read
your accounting of the world if you cannot muster equal energy towards
a solution.

You either cannot or will not produce intelligence on "what needs to
be done," using my predictable reaction as an excuse for your laziness
or empty bravado.

Maybe you should stick to penning bumper stickers, like your shallow
friend Jim.