The Greatest Country On Earth To Cruise Is...

[cheoah]

Originally Posted by scoobert

no, i pay taxes.
AKA i sponsor:
murder,
lies,
mass murder,
genocide,
snooping,
locking people away without charges,
infanticide,
police brutality,
and oppression of the weak.
WE are USA, we run you.

.... i can't wait to move.....

Neither can we...., or your sister in law

[familycruisers]

Jeez Shane, look what you started.
I cruised the world once when I was young, and now again that I'm older.Cant say what the best is til I experience them all.
I'll let ya know!

[SailBender]

Originally Posted by El Rubio

This simply isn't true. While many people do get treatment at the emergency room, there are many many free hospitals, clinics and programs for those unable to pay. In New Orleans, we had a hospital, destroyed by Katrina, called Charity Hospital. It was free to those who could not pay, which was most of the patients. It was paid for by the state of La. Current state budget for health and hospitals is almost $9 billion for this year. What do you think that pays for? There are several smaller regional hospitals that are also part of the same state run system. If you can pay for services there, you will, but most don't. There are clinics and doctors offices around all of these hospitals and most of their patients are on Medicaid or other free programs.

There are free clinics, not hospitals. My mother worked at a free clinic for years. You aren't going to be getting any real kind of treatment for diseases and cancer at a free clinic. There are ways to get free treatment at a learning hospital for certain conditions. The problem is the US is so spread out. If a person cannot afford health insurance in the first place, I guess they can cross their fingers really tight and hope that a hospital nearby can offer them free service, otherwise they probably wont be able to afford temporarily relocating half way across the country to a hospital that might be able to treat them free of cost.

Our health care situation is astoundingly immoral in the US. It is my opinion that the most important factor in employment is if they offer health insurance or not. Getting sick can cost a person a lot more than they will ever make in a lifetime when you are living in the US.

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by SailBender

Do you understand that when someone does not have health insurance the only care they can get is in the emergency room?

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.

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.

[svseachange]

Whoa guys. Let's relax and go sailing.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by shanedennis

Whoa guys. Let's relax and go sailing.

You started it!!!

Amazin that a 'strayan could cause such a fuss.... mind you us 'strayans know which buttons to press

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by northoceanbeach

The financial and health quality of life may be better in Canada but for the most part the quality of life is worse because the weather is terrible.

Winter is like banging your head repeatedly against a wall

... when it stops (spring) it feels soooo goooood...

(and um skiing and such)

Also launching and hauling-out once a year qualifies Canadians to work as marina labour anywhere.

Originally Posted by zboss

America. We have Britney Spears and Budweiser! Those slack jawed people to the north of us don't even have proper money.

We lent you Celine Dion AND a singing astronaut. So there.

[Aussiesuede]

There are a good variety of pretty kewl cruising grounds around the US, but the average cruiser will seldom experience very much of it due to the rather massive expanse of land separating them. The US is an awesome travel destination, but due primarily to it's sheer size, I wouldn't classify it as prime cruising grounds. The readilly accessible variety of the Carribean & South Pacific make for much better extended cruising IMHO.

[cheoah]

Who invitied the morose Aussies into the party? This thread started with the cool kid, who clearly knows how to experience a place for its people, not it's politics.

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.

Perhaps if you try a wee bit harder, you'll convince us our country sucks and yours is the place to be. I was just thinking how cool these guys sound! Hey let's hang out and talk dark **** and highlight each others social problems!

Move along guys, start your own "the US sucks" thread, that has nothing to do with sailing.

I'm a US/Commonwealth citizen. NC US is a fantastic place to raise a family, and sail.

ShaneDennis, I bet you will have lots of great experiences out there cruising. Attitude is everything, and all I can do is roll my eyes at the ding dong who hijacked your thread.

[ausaviator]

In Australia, everyone gets free health care. As far as the speed at which you receive the care, that depends on your sickness. You CAN choose to obtain private cover; that will get you *better* doctors and faster service, but it's certianly not mandatory in order to receive high quality health care. For example, in the public free system if you give birth, expect to stay in hospital between 1 and 3 nights however a maternal health nurse will visit your home for 5 days in total to check on you, whereas under the private scheme, expect 5 nights in hospital.

Cancer, dialysis and all the big ones are fine, but some of your knee replacement elective surgeries might take a bit longer. I could get a knee arthroscope done in about 3-4 weeks if I phone around a few hospitals.

Free doctor at home after hours in major capitals - the last time, the doctor turned up an hour after calling at 10pm.

All FREE, it's called Medicare. We also have reciprocal rights for those in the UK, but unfortunately not the US.

Private cover here for a single male 18-80 yrs old, would be about $160 per month or thereabouts, could be higher, could be a lot lower.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

This is a myth perpetuated by the pro government run healthcare lobby. ... not one child has ever been turned away no matter what their parent's ability to pay.

-sigh-

From here (around page 7)

• In 2011, the majority of children in the United States enjoyed excellent health (42 million or 56%), and another 20 million children had very good health (27%).
• As the level of parent education increased, the percentage of children with excellent health increased.
• Poverty status was associated with children’s health; 43% of children in poor families were in excellent health compared with 64% of children in families that were not poor.
• Children with private health insurance were more likely to be in excellent health (64%) than children with Medicaid or other public coverage (46%).
• Overall, 2% of children were in fair or poor health.
• Children in poor families were four times as likely to be in fair or poor health (4%) as children in families that were not poor (1%).
• Uninsured children (11%) were more than five times as likely as children with private insurance coverage (2%) and more than three times as likely as children with Medicaid coverage (3%) to have not had contact with a doctor or other health professional in more than 2 years (including those who never had a contact).
• In 2011, 5 million children had no health insurance coverage (7%).
• Ten percent of children in families with an income less than $35,000 and 11% of children in families with an income of $35,000 - $49,999 had no health insurance compared with 2% of children in families with an income of $100,000 or more.
• Approximately 1.3 million children were unable to get needed medical care because the family could not afford it (2%), and medical care for 2.5 million children was delayed because of worry about the cost (3%).

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

I don't understand this. Have you worked in Australia or New Zealand? What opportunities are you talking about, jobs, holidays, Disneyland, family? What is the minimum wage in the USA and how does that relate to the scope of what the USA has to offer? You have SO much poverty in the USA, the ratio must be approaching some African countries.

From what I can see Americans *think* they have a great country until they leave it to realise it isn't that great. Sure, you have better cable television but that's about it.

It wasn't my intention to slag off the USA, but I do wonder when people proclaim how great it is when it really isn't that flash! How any country can survive on $8 an hour minimum wage is beyond me. I met a woman there last visit working 3 jobs, a stack of hours and was still below what I would call the poverty line. Down here that would be earning her above the average wage based on the hours that she was putting in by trying to support her young family as a single mother through an unfortunate accident.

I'm an ex-pat from Canada, here in the US for 35 years now. I loved my roots but it was a dead end career wise. I love the openness of the American people. But I do fear the government. What I like is the tenacity with which the US citizens push for change. I always think the country is on the verge of civil war but it's just their love for country. In the end all shake hands and basically live in harmony. I have seen some of the greatest acts of kindness from Americans. Cripes, just look who pours tons of money in humanitarian aid.

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Ive sailed on the Great lakes, I'd add, the beer awfuls, the women hideous, and the canadians look like moose. yes stay away, nasty place
dave

Yes...but the women get better looking with each terrible beer...

Originally Posted by northoceanbeach

How a nice thread became a bunch of Australians trying to brag I have no idea.

I'm American. I don't think it's the best country but it is one of them. I think a lot of the hate we get is jealousy. Mostly because we are the most powerful, richest and influential country. Jealous people are quick to point out our flaws. All while they are driving, flying, using computers we invented. Probably wearing clothes we designed and healthy enough to write because of medicine we developed.

If someone posted a similar post to South Africa or Mexico no one would say a thing.

I think the OP may have been a little over-zealous, bringing the worst out from others. No one wants to feel second best. Really...it's not countries...it's people. Everyone has something to offer.

Originally Posted by MoxieGirl

In my experience, you never get a clear view of a place (town, country, etc.) until you leave it and live somewhere else. Viewing the place you lived from an outsiders viewpoint can be very eye opening.

This is what I find also. No matter where I live, I love living and love coming back. I have spent a lot of time in South East Asia and once I had a grasp on the culture, found it very adaptable. What some may not believe is it can even be a culture shock leaving Canada for the US. It is a whole different mindset. Again, one that took getting use to.

[northoceanbeach]

Well it's not just about the children. What about young adults that dot have health insurance? My generation got screwed. They told us to go to college and we could be whatever we wanted. That worked 30 years ago but a lot of my friends are scraping by with no health insurance.

I think besides jealousy it's racism. I'm hearing a lot of racism on this thread. It's all talk about how superior the whitest, most racially homogeneous countries are. I'm sorry for you guys that we are a melting pot and you don't feel comfortable in our cities because maybe there's a black guy and you having to look upon him offends your delicate sensibilities. We are all trying to coexist as a nation. Instead of stealing their children and currently being investigated by the U. N.

I used to think Australia was a bunch of free spirited fun rowdy drunk tough guys. But it turns out it's the most overegulated country on earth:

Australia: the great nanny state | smh.com.au

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by northoceanbeach

Well it's not just about the children. What about young adults that dot have health insurance? My generation got screwed. They told us to go to college and we could be whatever we wanted. That worked 30 years ago but a lot of my friends are scraping by with no health insurance.

I think besides jealousy it's racism. I'm hearing a lot of racism on this thread. It's all talk about how superior the whitest, most racially homogeneous countries are. I'm sorry for you guys that we are a melting pot and you don't feel comfortable in our cities because maybe there's a black guy and you having to look upon him offends your delicate sensibilities. We are all trying to coexist as a nation. Instead of stealing their children and currently being investigated by the U. N.

I used to think Australia was a bunch of free spirited fun rowdy drunk tough guys. But it turns out it's the most overegulated country on earth:

Australia: the great nanny state | smh.com.au

No offense but playing the race card is a little cheesy, just to make a point that really doesn't exist. You must have had to dig pretty deeply to come up with that one.

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

-sigh-

From here (around page 7)

• Approximately 1.3 million children were unable to get needed medical care because the family could not afford it (2%), and medical care for 2.5 million children was delayed because of worry about the cost (3%).

How sad that this nonsense is out there making foreigners think the US is some medieval place where children are not cared for. People who live in the US know that there are places where parents can take their children for life saving health care and they won't have to pay anything. And these are some of the best hospitals and clinics in the world. But none of them are run by the federal government and many are not funded by tax money which drives some people crazy. Did any of these hospitals and organizations get even a mention in the CDC report?