Finish either sentence...

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won...

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won...

The liberal administration will try to usurp the will of the people.

Yoda

[Guest]

Mary Jo Kopecke has her revenge.

[Guest]

we can finish the job in November.

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won... the first salvo has been fired

Now that Scott Brown won... EVERYONE better wake up in Washington

Now that Scott Brown won... as a Yankee fan, I cannot root for the Red Sox but this will temper my distaste for the sports teams up there ! :)

Now that Scott Brown won... it does not empower the Republicans in anyway...but it does WARN the democrats, THUS they BOTH better look at each other and start to talk !

[Guest]

To all patriots who supported Scott Brown. It would be politically incorrect to gloat over the "tea bag" victory in Massachusetts. Did I spell that right? Not only that....but it would be disrespectful to the President and Democratic controlled (at the moment) Congress who also lost....big time. So please, self control....no gloating. Naaaaaaah.....I'm just joshing you...go ahead and gloat.....they would. Besides, you earned it for the abuse, some on this very board, that has been heaped upon the loyal opposition, the names you have been called and the intellectual denial of a real grass roots "tea party" movement. A mocking denial by power hungry, big government progressives. A question for progressives, liberals ....can you hear them now?

A stunning victory for true patriots, those who love liberty and freedom from big government oppression. A victory for those that understand that the people own all the seats in Congress and that the President is permitted by the people to live temporarily in the people's house. A victory for those that believe the current Congress and President are taking the country in the wrong direction. It is a victory for Americans that drive American made pick-up trucks.

It is poetic that in 1775 at a tavern in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts that a grass roots patriot whose last name was Brown, fired a "shot that was heard around the world" and triggered a revolution. Another man named Brown from Massachusetts just fired a "shot heard around the world" and especially in the halls of Congress.

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won... Health Reform will still pass and they will re-release his nude Cosmo photos! :laugh:

[Guest]

Huh? *Nobody* knows who fired the shot at Lexington Common. John Brown was, however, one of the 8 colonists killed at Lexington.

[Guest]

...he can assist in aborting this out of control Health Care Reform Bill; which, at its current nonviable state, poses a risk to the life or grave risk to the constitutional health of my Motherland.

[Guest]

Huh? *Nobody* knows who fired the shot at Lexington Common. John Brown was, however, one of the 8 colonists killed at Lexington.

There is widespread speculation that SOLOMON BROWN, a colonial fired the first shot at Lexington. Some witnesses professed it and some discredited it. Of course, no one is still alive to validate the claim one way or the other. I take license to believe that he did because it fit nicely into this moment in history that you don't seem to appreciate. Do you disagree categorically with the rest of the post?

Sorry for the "gloating" excursion njbchbum

Regarding the completion of the sentence.....

do you think Congress can hear them now.

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won... Health Reform will still pass and they will re-release his nude Cosmo photos! :laugh:

Chels, like the rest of your kind, (progressives) you just don't care what the American people want.

[Guest]

both parties, SHOULD view his win as the will of the people being expressed.
In this case in Mass., a 3 to 1 Democratic state, held by Dems for close to half a century, won by Obama by over 20%.....the people have chosen to NOT elect more of the same.
I personally choose to view it as a mandate of fed up Americans....no matter what the party....I am not alone in this position.

There is no more gloating with this win than "people" rave about their sports team winning a game...a championship...a tournament.

Brown won for the same or similar reasons that Obama won....he is presented as an opportunity to one, send a message to the party in power and secondly we the people are looking for real change.

Thus far Brown, via we the people has done the first. It is up to him to deliver on the second. Now he has an opportunity....eh?

btk

[Guest]

mary jo kopecke has her revenge.

oh happy day

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won... Health Reform will still pass and they will re-release his nude Cosmo photos! :laugh:


They could re release the pic and combine it with the shot of our President doing dope when he was young !

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won... Health Reform will still pass and they will re-release his nude Cosmo photos! :laugh:

From Chelsea's lips to Obama's ear....rather large ear at that.....a shame it refuses to hear the will of the people

The Cosmo photo per Chels- :thumbup: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://thepoliticalclass.typepad.com/.a/6a010536b6e9e8970b0120a791e534970b-pi&imgrefurl=http://www.thepoliticalclass.com/2009/12/conservative-cosmo-centerfold-scott-brown-running-for-us-senate.html&h=291&w=387&sz=47&tbnid=sobDsVGgmNS5QM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscott%2Bbrown%2Bcosmopolitan%2Bphoto&usg=__mL9wIqRYIKWpPMwtbdwPMg3M3TQ=&ei=bRlXS6vJNs2vtge22pWiBA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&ved=0CAkQ9QEwAA

Come on Chels...admit it...you already peeked or is that peaked :smiley:

The other Scott Brown pin up you forgot to mention - http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2010/01/11/brownnatguard__1263237164_2822.jpg

Honor, duty, country......Amen

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won... Health Reform will still pass and they will re-release his nude Cosmo photos! :laugh:

Ah Chelsea - hope springs eternal!

But what form will health reform take? Will Princess Nancy and Prince Harry try to ram one of the existing bills down the throats of Americans with the promise to "fix" it later - we all know what happens to the promises of this administration like transparency and bi-partisanship.

Or will they slow down and craft policy that is more amenable to the majority of Americans who already have health care coverage and are happy with it?

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won...

,,,Change we can believe in!!!

[Guest]

,,,Change we can believe in!!!

Amen!

[Guest]

"When it comes to terrorists, our tax dollars should be used for weapons to get them, not lawyers to defend them."

Scott Brown!

[Guest]

From Chelsea's lips to Obama's ear....rather large ear at that.....a shame it refuses to hear the will of the people

The Cosmo photo per Chels- :thumbup: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://thepoliticalclass.typepad.com/.a/6a010536b6e9e8970b0120a791e534970b-pi&imgrefurl=http://www.thepoliticalclass.com/2009/12/conservative-cosmo-centerfold-scott-brown-running-for-us-senate.html&h=291&w=387&sz=47&tbnid=sobDsVGgmNS5QM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscott%2Bbrown%2Bcosmopolitan%2Bphoto&usg=__mL9wIqRYIKWpPMwtbdwPMg3M3TQ=&ei=bRlXS6vJNs2vtge22pWiBA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&ved=0CAkQ9QEwAA

Come on Chels...admit it...you already peeked or is that peaked :smiley:

The other Scott Brown pin up you forgot to mention - http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2010/01/11/brownnatguard__1263237164_2822.jpg

Honor, duty, country......Amen

Thanks Cabo... You've made my day... :mademyday:
Little did I think that under that suit, was............. (finish that sentence... LOL) :cryin2:

[Guest]

Now that Scott Brown won...

Chant with me, NO-VEM-BER, NOV-VEM-BER, NOV-VEM-BER!:a040::a040::a040:

[Guest]

Great Scott!! I have to agree with you Kathie!! WOWSER!! Holy Bill of Rights Batman!! Thanks Cabo!! Thanks Cosmo!! Thanks Internet!! God bless America!!

[Guest]

Chels, like the rest of your kind, (progressives) you just don't care what the American people want.

Yoda, you don't even know me. Not only do I care, deeply, about what the American people want, I care about what the American people desperately need!

What gives you the right to infer that you're more patriotic than I am???

My child might not have "wanted" to eat her vegetables... but she "needed" to for her own sake. American's didn't even "want" Medicare, but, wow, don't you love getting that check every month now!

This country desperately "needs" health care reform. Whether you want to face it or not. It's a fact. Plain and simple. And if the Republicans just want to stop it in it's tracks, yet again, for their own selfish reasons... shame on them.

If you want my opinion on the election in Massachusetts, quit frankly, I wouldn't have voted for Coakley either! From the little I followed her, she didn't impress me. See, I vote for the person and not the party. Whether you want to believe that or not! But, I will agree with KathieI, that Scott Brown looks mighty fine on paper!!!! :laugh:

That said, we will see how President Obama handles this. Scott Brown is not the second coming either, as some of you referred to Obama as. And, pssttttt, they don't need 60 for a majority out of 100. I believe that number would be 51!

My fear is that some of you would vote in any Republican, good or bad, just to feel more in control or make a statement. That, in my opinion, is a wasted vote indeed. But, we shall see... we shall see...

[Guest]

Chels, like the rest of your kind, (progressives) you just don't care what the American people want.

Yoda I think Progressives pretend to care but they are just misguided.

They are misguided thinking Republicans don't want Health reform.
They are misguided thinking that Obamacare is Health reform.

They were misguided when they trashed fellow Americans who objected
to the socialist decisions made by the present administration.

They are so misguided they are destroying the once great Democrat party.

They are seriously misguided thinking or pretending they are not moving the Country away from the Constitution and toward Socialism.

[Guest]

.......But, I will agree with KathieI, that Scott Brown looks mighty fine on paper!!!! :laugh:

Not sure how fine on paper yet, Chels, but in a centerfold!!!! WOWSER!! as my friend BKCunningham exclaims..... He sure looked good, but didn't we all at that age.

[Guest]

The Cosmo photo per Chels- :thumbup: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://thepoliticalclass.typepad.com/.a/6a010536b6e9e8970b0120a791e534970b-pi&imgrefurl=http://www.thepoliticalclass.com/2009/12/conservative-cosmo-centerfold-scott-brown-running-for-us-senate.html&h=291&w=387&sz=47&tbnid=sobDsVGgmNS5QM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscott%2Bbrown%2Bcosmopolitan%2Bphoto&usg=__mL9wIqRYIKWpPMwtbdwPMg3M3TQ=&ei=bRlXS6vJNs2vtge22pWiBA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&ved=0CAkQ9QEwAA


Great Scott!! I have to agree with you Kathie!! WOWSER!! Holy Bill of Rights Batman!! Thanks Cabo!! Thanks Cosmo!! Thanks Internet!! God bless America!!

Not sure how fine on paper yet, Chels, but in a centerfold!!!! WOWSER!! as my friend BKCunningham exclaims..... He sure looked good, but didn't we all at that age.

The Star of Mass dropped his trousers
To glee, applause and "Wowsers"
I'll confess that I'm weak
Was being good, then I peeked
Just to glimpse his, um... family values!

[Guest]

I didn't see the particulars. I do know that he looked mighty good when he was 22. I would give up more than a Senate seat to look like I did at 22.

[Guest]

Yoda, you don't even know me. Not only do I care, deeply, about what the American people want, I care about what the American people desperately need!

What gives you the right to infer that you're more patriotic than I am???

My child might not have "wanted" to eat her vegetables... but she "needed" to for her own sake. American's didn't even "want" Medicare, but, wow, don't you love getting that check every month now!

This country desperately "needs" health care reform. Whether you want to face it or not. It's a fact. Plain and simple. And if the Republicans just want to stop it in it's tracks, yet again, for their own selfish reasons... shame on them.

If you want my opinion on the election in Massachusetts, quit frankly, I wouldn't have voted for Coakley either! From the little I followed her, she didn't impress me. See, I vote for the person and not the party. Whether you want to believe that or not! But, I will agree with KathieI, that Scott Brown looks mighty fine on paper!!!! :laugh:

That said, we will see how President Obama handles this. Scott Brown is not the second coming either, as some of you referred to Obama as. And, pssttttt, they don't need 60 for a majority out of 100. I believe that number would be 51!

My fear is that some of you would vote in any Republican, good or bad, just to feel more in control or make a statement. That, in my opinion, is a wasted vote indeed. But, we shall see... we shall see...

First of all, I do know you. By your words and ideas. You are a nanny state progressive.

I do not and never have questioned your patriotism. I am sure you are a patriot, just dangerously misguided.

You make my point with your own words. We are not children and government is not our parent.

I have been forced to pay into the government Social Security system with the agreement that they would pay me back if I live long enough. Are you saying that we who receiving what was promised are somehow, bad or just conservatives?

Yes, we do need reform of our health care system. We need to fix the problems like tort reform and unfair practices. We do not need to turn over 1/6 of the economy to the government. A government that is not noted for running things very well.

What are the selfish reasons for the republicans stopping Obamacare? To save the republic?

Respectfully

Yoda

PS I see Obama is now going after the banks. He wants them to loan money to small business. He is going to punish the banks for risky business practices. Is there anything more risky than small business.

The stock market is not happy. Are you?

[Guest]

Not only do I care, deeply, about what the American people want, I care about what the American people desperately need!

What gives you the right to infer that you're more patriotic than I am???

This country desperately "needs" health care reform. Whether you want to face it or not. It's a fact. Plain and simple. And if the Republicans just want to stop it in it's tracks, yet again, for their own selfish reasons... shame on

Chels, within the context of the opening of your salvo at Yoda lies the core of the ideological differences between the left and the right. You and others who tilt left arrogantly presume only you know "what the American people desparately need!"

Your opinion is that the country needs health care reform....other opinions and the Constitution be damned. The Constitution thing is a whole other argument best left for its own thread. You label anyone that disagrees with you and harbors an alternate opinion as selfish. You cavalierly dismiss the reality that other political persuasions have articulated "the need" only you seem to recognize. It is a matter of degree, scale and affordable options that will not collapse the entire economic system where our differences lie.

Regarding your "patriotism" comment. It is important to understand that the word itself means different things to different people. You are obviously intelligent, articulate and have admirable loyalty to your convictions. However, speaking on a very personal level, not to be confused with speaking for others, I hold that word to a very high standard. American blood and treasure has been spilled around the world. Cemeteries on foreign soil are a stunning reminder of the sacrifices made by brave American patriots, men and women who fought Communism, Marxism, radical Islam, Nazism and other murdering tyrannical regimes. Those Americans define my concept of "patriotism".

Personally, hear me please, personally, I cannot bring myself to recognize anyone as a patriot who remotely supports Marxism, Communism or other like manifestations. Please remember, I am speaking for just myself and my own criteria for what I consider a patriot before I use the word. I recognize the divergent opinions of the left to a degree. However, there is a point where the left enters an ideology where patriotism cannot coexist by my definition. That being said, I do not believe the President is a patriot. I believe Yoda is correct and in your heart, you are a patriot.

How about those Jets!

[Guest]

So here's a challenge, defend the current system we have given the following facts:

- We pay more for health care, as a percentage of GDP, than any other country.
- Our health care system is ranked 37th, overall, as far as quality of care.
- Single-payer systems, such as the UK and Canada are ranked 12th and 7th.
- We pay more for our drugs, pill for pill, than any other country - sometimes by ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE.
- The top-ranked "systems" (including #1 France) are a hybrid of public and private.
- And even after spending all that money, 1/6 to 1/5 our population has no coverage.

People are defending an indefensible system. We pay the most and get the least.

IMO, the Republicans shouldn't just be saying "NO" to Obamacare. They should be articulating a better alternative and sell THAT message to the public - just like they did with the Contract For America.

Make a 10-point plan with clear, concise line-items, each one describing a fix to one of the problems.

For the record, the worst thing I don't like about 'public' options are having to deal with civil servants. The majority of which are nightmares. But, then, would dealing with a DMV-like clerk be any worse than arguing with an insurance company?

[Guest]

The stats in the challenge points you posted are from a report from The World Health Organization's The World Health Report 2008 - primary Health Care (Now More Than Ever) .
I found this article/editorial piece about WHO and their objective. I found it very eye-opening and educational.
I'm not criticizing anyone's viewpoints. I'm just staying open and giving everyone an opportunty to broaden their views and obtain education.

http://reason.com/archives/2002/01/01/who-cares/

Also, here is the WHO report and from their cover page: "Why a renewal of primary health care (PHC), and why now, more than ever? Globalization is putting the social cohesion of many countries under stress, and health systems are clearly not performing as well as they could and should. People are increasingly impatient with the inability of health services to deliver. Few would disagree that health systems need to respond better – and faster – to the challenges of a changing world. PHC can do that."


http://www.who.int/whr/2008/en/index.html

[Guest]

So here's a challenge, defend the current system we have given the following facts:

- We pay more for health care, as a percentage of GDP, than any other country.
- Our health care system is ranked 37th, overall, as far as quality of care.
- Single-payer systems, such as the UK and Canada are ranked 12th and 7th.
- We pay more for our drugs, pill for pill, than any other country - sometimes by ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE.
- The top-ranked "systems" (including #1 France) are a hybrid of public and private.
- And even after spending all that money, 1/6 to 1/5 our population has no coverage.

People are defending an indefensible system. We pay the most and get the least.

IMO, the Republicans shouldn't just be saying "NO" to Obamacare. They should be articulating a better alternative and sell THAT message to the public - just like they did with the Contract For America.

Make a 10-point plan with clear, concise line-items, each one describing a fix to one of the problems.

For the record, the worst thing I don't like about 'public' options are having to deal with civil servants. The majority of which are nightmares. But, then, would dealing with a DMV-like clerk be any worse than arguing with an insurance company?

The people of America have heard all that before. They still choose to reject Obamacare. How do you propose to change the minds of the voters, firing squad?

Yoda

[Guest]

So here's a challenge, defend the current system we have given the following facts:

- We pay more for health care, as a percentage of GDP, than any other country.
- Our health care system is ranked 37th, overall, as far as quality of care.
- Single-payer systems, such as the UK and Canada are ranked 12th and 7th.
- We pay more for our drugs, pill for pill, than any other country - sometimes by ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE.
- The top-ranked "systems" (including #1 France) are a hybrid of public and private.
- And even after spending all that money, 1/6 to 1/5 our population has no coverage.

People are defending an indefensible system. We pay the most and get the least.

IMO, the Republicans shouldn't just be saying "NO" to Obamacare. They should be articulating a better alternative and sell THAT message to the public - just like they did with the Contract For America.

Make a 10-point plan with clear, concise line-items, each one describing a fix to one of the problems.

For the record, the worst thing I don't like about 'public' options are having to deal with civil servants. The majority of which are nightmares. But, then, would dealing with a DMV-like clerk be any worse than arguing with an insurance company?

We have the best doctors , best hospitals and best overall health care system on earth. This is why anyone in the world with a serious health problem wants to get help in America.

Saying that we are 37th in the World is so naive. Get the criteria used by whoever put out that lie and you will see their agenda.

If some other country had better healthcare than ours why woudn't we go there for our care. I have no friends who have done so. In my career I lived in 20 other countries and always opted for care in good old God bless America.

[Guest]

We have the best doctors , best hospitals and best overall health care system on earth. This is why anyone in the world with a serious health problem wants to get help in America.

Saying that we are 37th in the World is so naive. Get the criteria used by whoever put out that lie and you will see their agenda.

If some other country had better healthcare than ours why woudn't we go there for our care. I have no friends who have done so. In my career I lived in 20 other countries and always opted for care in good old God bless America.

Amen

Yoda

[Guest]

I won't argue that we don't have the best hospitals, doctors, etc.

We also have the most expensive - and it's rare when we, as a population, need "the best". In the overwhelming majority of cases "pretty damn good" will do quite nicely. But, like a gun, I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Still, nobody has defended the points I raised.

Yes, other people come here - WHEN THEY HAVE THE MONEY.

But why does the same ORDINARY set of procedures cost me $600 in Montreal yet cost THOUSANDS here at home? ..and I'm a 4 hour drive from the Canadian border.

Why do drugs cost ORDER OF MAGNITUDE more here than in other countries?

Why, in other countries, is there no such thing as "medical bankruptcy"? Why is that strictly an American phenomenon?

I've said it before and I'll say it again - YOU ARE NOT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES' FIRST ALLEGIANCE - their STATED CHARTER IS TO MAKE MONEY FOR THEIR STOCKHOLDERS. What was unheard of 20 years ago is increasingly commonplace - denying coverage when someone 'becomes unprofitable'.

Now I'll ask you, Yoda and Cashman, if you suddenly found yourself kicked off your insurance plan, what would YOU do for health care? ...and mind you, if that happens, it happens at a time when you NEED care and trying to go elsewhere is fruitless because of "pre-existing conditions".

Me? I'm covered pretty well. Working for a defense contractor means I have a decent plan. But there's no telling what *could* happen. My fiancee isn't covered and she's on medication that keeps getting increasingly expensive.

Over the years, I've been pretty lucky. I've had a broken bone here and there, was born with bilateral club feet that were corrected, had a vasectomy and gall bladder surgery and that pretty much covers most every extended health-care situation I've had to deal with in my life. My kids are another story. One "normal' birth that cost several thousand dollars in 1987 and one that cost who-knows-how much in 1992 (all I know is that it most likely went into 6 figures) because of defensive medicine (we never found out what was wrong, it cleared up on it's own and our daughter has been healthy for the ensuing 17 years).

Not one person has defended the outrageous costs. Not one has defended the federal control of the supply of doctors.

This stuff has needed fixing since the 1980s. the problem have only compounded themselves. People talk about a 'government takeover of 1/6 of the economy' and are justifiably scared of it.

WHY THE HECK IS IT ONE-SIXTH OF THE ECONOMY??? IS THAT RIGHT????

We get all up in arms over a billion-dollar political boondoggle (pick any out there) but let a MULTI-TRILLION DOLLAR one have a free pass!

At the very least, where's the outrage over not getting what we're paying for?

[Guest]

I won't argue that we don't have the best hospitals, doctors, etc.

We also have the most expensive - and it's rare when we, as a population, need "the best". In the overwhelming majority of cases "pretty damn good" will do quite nicely. But, like a gun, I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Still, nobody has defended the points I raised.

Yes, other people come here - WHEN THEY HAVE THE MONEY.

But why does the same ORDINARY set of procedures cost me $600 in Montreal yet cost THOUSANDS here at home? ..and I'm a 4 hour drive from the Canadian border.

Why do drugs cost ORDER OF MAGNITUDE more here than in other countries?

Why, in other countries, is there no such thing as "medical bankruptcy"? Why is that strictly an American phenomenon?

I've said it before and I'll say it again - YOU ARE NOT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES' FIRST ALLEGIANCE - their STATED CHARTER IS TO MAKE MONEY FOR THEIR STOCKHOLDERS. What was unheard of 20 years ago is increasingly commonplace - denying coverage when someone 'becomes unprofitable'.

Now I'll ask you, Yoda and Cashman, if you suddenly found yourself kicked off your insurance plan, what would YOU do for health care? ...and mind you, if that happens, it happens at a time when you NEED care and trying to go elsewhere is fruitless because of "pre-existing conditions".

Me? I'm covered pretty well. Working for a defense contractor means I have a decent plan. But there's no telling what *could* happen. My fiancee isn't covered and she's on medication that keeps getting increasingly expensive.

Over the years, I've been pretty lucky. I've had a broken bone here and there, was born with bilateral club feet that were corrected, had a vasectomy and gall bladder surgery and that pretty much covers most every extended health-care situation I've had to deal with in my life. My kids are another story. One "normal' birth that cost several thousand dollars in 1987 and one that cost who-knows-how much in 1992 (all I know is that it most likely went into 6 figures) because of defensive medicine (we never found out what was wrong, it cleared up on it's own and our daughter has been healthy for the ensuing 17 years).

Not one person has defended the outrageous costs. Not one has defended the federal control of the supply of doctors.

This stuff has needed fixing since the 1980s. the problem have only compounded themselves. People talk about a 'government takeover of 1/6 of the economy' and are justifiably scared of it.

WHY THE HECK IS IT ONE-SIXTH OF THE ECONOMY??? IS THAT RIGHT????

We get all up in arms over a billion-dollar political boondoggle (pick any out there) but let a MULTI-TRILLION DOLLAR one have a free pass!

At the very least, where's the outrage over not getting what we're paying for?

You have just proven your naive far left thinking.

It is a waste of time to refute each of your points, but it would be so easy to do so.

One of your points was a ludicrous statement that Canadian health care is less expensive than ours when in fact it is far more expensive and of a far lower quality.

My mother, my sister and my father all Canadians died in Canadian Hospitals after waiting months for their surgeries. They like all Canadians are facing a heathcare system going bankrupt even tho they are paying very high Taxes to fund their heath care.

If you respond to this please do some research and not talk off the top of your head with left wing bias.

[Guest]

Cashman, I'm as "left wing" as a bag of nickels. Is it "left wing" to demand to get our money's worth? Is it "left wing" to be outraged at why we pay so much more for drugs than others? When one is getting raked over the coals, is it "left wing" to say "ENOUGH!".

I want to address two of the statements you made - and this is sincere, I'm not being sarcastic.

My experience in Montreal was something I was reminded of because, while recently cleaning out a desk, I found the bills for that visit. $600, of which I ended up only paying $50. I *also* remember seeing SOME of the statements that came to me when my insurance company paid for the SAME services when I had attacks right here in New Hampshire. Several thousand.

And as far as "far lower quality"? The Canadians were the first to suspect that my Gastro-esophogeal Reflux Disease was, in fact, something else. I'd been suffering for 3 years at that point - attacks that feel like heart attacks. I didn't have time to wait for the CAT scan they wanted to give me as my kids were alone in a nearby hotel room and I wanted to be back before my youngest woke up - my oldest knew what was happening and the hotel staff had been alerted in case any problems arose.

Not until the NEXT attack some months later, when I discussed what happened at the Canadian hospital with the staff who saw me, did they come back with a different diagnosis. Within days, my gall-bladder was no longer in me.

Yes, I well know of the problems some Canadians have with the wait for (at least the way it's described in the papers) non-emergency services. I know of the court cases that went to the equivalent of the Quebec Provincial Supreme Court.

That's point #1. People come to this country, in general, to 'jump the line', as near as I can gather. People go to Canada to get the same drugs cheaper - heck, they organize BUS TOURS in this area for that purpose!

Now for point #2. You can tell me to go pound sand as I can imagine how personal it might be.. But what kind of surgeries were they waiting for and how old were they? It would help to put some perspective here.

And you have no reason to know about some of my anti-Medicare rants on other boards because of the torture they inflicted on my grandmother. Long story short is a woman in her 70s having a heart attack signs DNR papers with witnesses (myself included) IN THE HOSPITAL. We all have a chance to say our goodbyes. We were told she had hours to live. Literally, while we were sleeping, they schedule her for heroic surgery (quadruple bypass - after telling us she was too weak for it) against her wishes (because of "DRG days"). If I believed in Hell, I would wish a few days occupancy in it for the so-called doctor who inflicted five years of strokes, dementia and other complications on her and the entire family. My aunt had her life turned upside down having to help care for her. My anger towards "the system" knows no bounds in this case.

Please consider that the next time you think I'm "left wing".