Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

djplong, regarding RichieLion's post. I am by no means speaking for him. But, your response "The freedoms that every American enjoys????...What freedoms are you referring to?" struck something inside of me that demands I reply.

As a young 20-something, I lived south of Daytona Beach, FL. I had NO health insurance. I cleaned houses to put myself through college. I voted. I volunteered to read to children in our public schools and was active in a church that feed the indigent and homeless in the 1980s. Eventually, I was a reporter and tried my best to fear God and honor man and to be fair and accurate in my reporting and in my life.

If I was sick, I went to a doctor, explained my situation and paid cash. Like every American can, if they wish, regardless of income, I took advantage of state run health departments for my female exams. Using it for my primary care physician for years.

Sometimes, when my pride didn't get in the way, I used the generous help of the doctors wives I cleaned for to help me get medical attention through their husbands. I made out the best way I could with my upbringing screaming in my ears and heart to not go in debt, work hard and pay your own way.

I now have insurance that allows me to use out-of-network physicians if I wish. I just have to pay an extra co-pay. Why would I want to? They have worked with me to find an in-network physician and even assisted signing up physicians into the network.

You know as well as I do, emergency rooms don't turn people away. There are many state run programs and charity programs to help people without insurance. There are definitely changes that need to be made in our system. One of them being pre-exisiting conditions.

But if you want to know what freedoms American's enjoy, ask people in China, Cuba, Vietnam. Since they can't speak, ask me I'll tell you what freedoms we enjoy.

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.