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Richard_W · 03-12-2013, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausaviator

In Australia, everyone gets free health care.

You really believe it is free ... ?!

It ain't free ... nothing is free when it comes to social net. You and others pay for it ... via income taxes, VATs and/or other taxes, increased cost of goods (with taxes accumulated during production and distribution process added to the cost), etc. Similarly in Canada … first hand experience … the same freaking deicer costs 200% of what I pay in the USA, even before Canadian taxes are added.

Yeah … it is about forced vs voluntary wealth redistribution and social-democratic point of view vs capitalistic view. I like the US model better, and I had experienced socialistic and multiple social-democratic models, not just as a visitor but as a long time resident.

BTW, there are federal/state programs, MediCare for retirees and MedicAid for less fortunate, in the USA. Heard about these?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheoah

I had no idea you guys were such xenophobes. I've traveled the world, communist, socialist, democratic and everywhere in between and managed to have outstanding experiences with the people and places, always aware of the political situation -- as much as one can.

Well said ... xenophobs or zealots ... the outcome is similar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Cripes, just look who pours tons of money in humanitarian aid.

That is the thing about US and the people here that my wife and I noticed and cannot get enough appreciation for ... it's almost unnatural for outsiders like us, and unheard of in other 1st world countries.

Look at the latest disaster in Philippines ... the US boots were on the ground distributing aid and rations in the first 48 hours. The US carrier ship which offloaded fighter planes and loaded choppers and all terrain vehicles, plus some other ships from the US fleet, were there within a week with thousands of tons of needed food, water, and medicine. The other countries ... they were still debating to send one or two choppers and $5 million dollars.

Ocean Girl · 03-12-2013, 20:51

Why the heck isn't this thread closed.....?

Parmenter · 03-12-2013, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_W

Look at the latest disaster in Philippines ... the US boots were on the ground distributing aid and rations in the first 48 hours. The US carrier ship which offloaded fighter planes and loaded choppers and all terrain vehicles, plus some other ships from the US fleet, were there within a week with thousands of tons of needed food, water, and medicine. The other countries ... they were still debating to send one or two choppers and $5 million dollars.

Nothing at all to do with America wanting back into Subic Bay and wanting to get your hands on oil reserves in the Spratlys and Paracels?

Nah, that couldn't be it.

Richard_W · 03-12-2013, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parmenter

Nothing at all to do with America wanting back into Subic Bay and wanting to get your hands on oil reserves in the Spratlys and Paracels ...

I cannot believe how square minded that is ... which news channel you watch?
Ah, never mind ... The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, really? Don't want to know any more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Why the heck isn't this thread closed.....?

Yes ... please! Who is sleeping at the switch?

tomfl · 03-12-2013, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Why the heck isn't this thread closed.....?

Cuz my dog is bigger than your dog.

Parmenter · 03-12-2013, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_W

I cannot believe how square minded that is ... which news channel you watch?
Ah, never mind ... The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, really?

The news channel/source I use is a wide and varied one, its called the internet.
That story was the one I happened to click on.
Use the thousands of other news sources if you like, the story is essentially the same

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=A...m=122&ie=UTF-8

Quote:

Don't want to know any more.

Something about denial, head and sand comes to mind.

Parmenter · 03-12-2013, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomfl

Cuz my dog is bigger than your dog.

Everyone knows America has the biggest dog, or so they keep telling us.

Richard_W · 03-12-2013, 21:40

@Parmenter ... this is a quote of the entire paragraph of two related sentences.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_W

Ah, never mind ... The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, really? Don't want to know any more.

If you start parsing every sentence and every word separately you can prove anything. What I meant is ... based on your artful research and your sources, I do not care to hear from you anymore. So, let's stop the quotes and replies ... I will return the favor ...

Parmenter · 03-12-2013, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_W

@Parmenter ... this is a quote of the entire paragraph of two related sentences.

As I said, you discount a news-source because of where it came from (Vietnam) when the story is factual, if you cared to actually look for yourself.

Some would say that is exactly what you accused others of being

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_W

Well said ... xenophobs or zealots ... the outcome is similar.

Richard_W · 03-12-2013, 22:10

Let me explain to you the nonsense behind your square minded theory about US humanitarian help, Philippines naval base, and oil ... there is no oil in play there, China maybe, probably, but no oil.

You need to catch up on the news ... the US is becoming energy self sufficient, and energy exporter. There is plenty of hydrocarbon here and near ... no need to go half way around the world for a small patch of messy oil. Some links to start your research:

https://energycommerce.house.gov/pre...lf-sufficiency
Growing U.S. Energy Self-sufficiency and the Global Consequences
The Shift: America’s Energy Boom, China’s Energy Need | The Diplomat

BTW, this is an example of American prudence and ability to adapt ... oil was cheap and messy to explore, let others do it. The carbohydrates are expensive now and processed value added products in demand ... let's get into it. Pure free market in action!

rebel heart · 03-12-2013, 22:11

USA! USA! USA!

Best country in the world, baby. It doesn't mean we don't have a lot of room for improvement but when the chips are down, it's the stars and stripes all the way.

DumnMad · 03-12-2013, 22:22

Some people on this thread have got serious mental problems - but why be surprised - they own boats.

SailBender · 03-12-2013, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

This is a myth perpetuated by the pro government run healthcare lobby. Children in the US are receiving free cancer treatment, free orthopedic surgery and numerous other treatments without an ER and without insurance or any payment whatsoever. Hundreds of millions of dollars are donated every year for free healthcare for children and not one child has ever been turned away no matter what their parent's ability to pay. The same is true for our elderly and disabled except the various states and federal taxes pay for it and thus there is some rationing but not much.

Well that is great that children can get free cancer treatments, which is also not always the case, same goes for the elderly. So besides the fact that your statement sugar coats those two groups as if you don't have any financial worries as a child or senior that is sick, but what about the group that really depends on their health to support their children and often times their senior parents? Getting sick in the US is the top reason why people become bankrupted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

If an able bodied person (e.g. college student) cannot get free healthcare that is not an indictment of the system. That's just the way the world is. And the new healthcare reforms are not going to change that in any way.

No, that is just the way OUR system is. We are the only industrialized nation with this system and we consequently pay insane amounts more money than any country on earth by a humongous margin. It seems silly to not regulate this market to at the very least lower our costs. This is just as dumb as all the money we just piss away into the DoD raising the most expensive military on Earth to roam around the world and get into everyone's business.

It is quite frustrating that so many people in the US think wasting all this money on health care and military is the best thing ever, but god forbid we spend even a fraction of our budgets on a social safety net, because that is..... sooo socialism.