When I originally started this blog, I said that my intent was to ask more questions than I answered. Here is a toast to that intent.
The current proposed bill in Congress regarding healthcare takes our country further in the direction of the current European version of Socialism than anything we have done since the New Deal. Lots of folks believe this will spell the end to the freedoms that we enjoy and that we will no longer be the place where people are free to do most anything they want without government interference. The result is that a very large part of the U.S population is VERY wary of the pending healthcare legislation. Should they be? How bad is the current version of European Socialism?
Here are some questions I have asked myself that help me to understand just how important, or not, is the debate about socializing medicine in the U.S.:
Is life less free in Germany or England or Sweden than in the U.S.A.?
What things can our fellow humans in those countries not do that we can?
Are the English (or Swedes or Germans, etc.) less free to start a business than we are? Why?
Is their society more civil than ours? Or, less? In what ways?
Is their society less innovative than ours? Or, less? In what ways?
Does socialized medicine allow the political class to have more control over the lives of the rest of the society?
Does “universal healthcare” substitute minimal care for all in place of excellent care for most and emergency care only for a few?
If this (modern European socialized medicine) is the model that Congress wants us to follow, why is there so little discussion of the questions above?
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September 9, 2009 at 6:31 am
futiledemocracy
According to the World Health Organisation, the United Kingdom, with it’s evil brand of Socialist medical care, spends $33,650 per capita on Health Care, where as the United States of Free Market Perfection spends $44,070. Similarly, the United Kingdom of Evil Old People Murdering Communists, has a life expectancy of 77 for Males and 81 for Females; whereas the United States of Superiority in Every Way Possible, has a life expectancy of 75 for Males and 80 for Females. Total expenditure on Healthcare as a percentage of GDP for the UK: 8.4%, and for the U.S: 15.3%. Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births) in the UK: 6, and in the U.S: 8. Which in turn, ranks the UK at 18th for Healthcare in the World Health Organisation, whilst America, that beckon of wondrous private health care ranks a quite pathetic, 37th. So, even if they went for a full American National Health Care program similar to ours, they might escape being worse than twice as bad as the UK. If this is Socialism, it would appear that Socialism isn’t all that bad after all. And whilst Right Winged America complains about Socialised healthcare, I’ll enjoy my Socialised healthcare, whilst living longer.
September 9, 2009 at 9:51 am
ttoes
Dear Futile,
I appreciate your statistical summary, well selected, I believe. I would challenge your contention that we have a free market system for healthcare here in the U.S. I do not disagree that we have some major issues that we should address. Many of these problems are distortion of the market caused by government meddling with the market, IMHO.
This post, however, was made with the honest hope that readers would give their opinions on the questions that I have raised. Would you care to give your opinions on some of these questions? I’d enjoy hearing them.
Thanks,
Tom
September 10, 2009 at 10:52 pm
pmv
If we adopt a more European style of healthcare, will that lead to a more European style of life? Personally, I don’t think so. To answer your questions, I think we are more innovative in America. I think it is easier to start a business here. I value those things highly.
There are good things about America and there are good things about Europe. I don’t think much will change here if we change our style of healthcare. Likewise, if Europe dropped their socialized healthcare, I don’t think that would make Europeans become more innovative.
September 11, 2009 at 5:54 am
ttoes
PMV,
I am still pondering all these questions. I do tend to agree that from the standpoint of lifestyle changes, European style healthcare will not likely make ours more European. I think we are all sliding together and becoming more alike in very small steps. I don’t think they are a more civil society than we are – just more institutionalized in their caring. I also believe that the specter of socialized medicine scares many Americans who feel it will mean more government control of their lives.
Tom
January 10, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Kent J
Most of you miss the point.
Freedom is what is important. Its the rarest resource on the planet. It has provided the greatest wealth and best lifestyles and healthiest people for the greatest percentage of folk ever.
It is RIGHT if you own something that you can set the price on it.
It is RIGHT that you negotiate what you are willing to pay.
it is WRONG for government to FORCE you to buy something or force you to sell something in a manner you do not wish to.
Socialism is a parasite. It feeds off the productive efforts of citizens. It Abuses the little freedom that is left.
In Europe it is currently bleeding the last of the good things done by people when they were far freer.
Liberals and socialists HATE freedom.
THus.. i hate them back.. vehemently. The revolution is coming. Pray it can be a peaceful one.
January 11, 2010 at 5:23 pm
sandals911
Kent –
Should a government be allowed to stop a farmer from getting together with his neighbors to fix prices for essential goods at an artificially high price?
Should a government be allowed to prevent executives of public companies from sharing financial information with friends to make money at the shareholders’ expense?
Should a government be allowed to force a hospital to treat a patient that needs urgent care and can’t make it to a different hospital?
I don’t necessarily think the answer to any of these questions is easy – there are a lot of consequences to consider. Saying that you should be able to sell what you want at a price of your choosing is a nice idea, until you get into the details.