Important decisions in Congress

Norway_T

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Ok I know this board never talks about politics.  But I wanted to share my thoughts on this health care bill. I've written to my senators on the issue as I think it is so important that every American has access to affordable health care.   Living in Norway, everyone here is insured by the government if they are a legal resident. Perhaps this is why Norway is rated at the best country to live in, and the US 13th.  Regardless, I know that the quality of life for people is so much better with affordable health care, my mother nearly died of breast cancer, because she didn’t have any sick time off work and could not take any days off during her chemo, otherwise she would have lost her job and health insurance.  A year after treatment she switched jobs, if during the 1st year she the cancer would have come back her new insurance company would not have treated her as it was a preexisting condition. The stress aged my mother by years.   We are all human beings and have a right to a certain amount of dignity, we are civilized and progressed enough to provide health care to all our citizens.  European countries all have public health options that provide insurance there is no reason that the US cannot.   I am very sad to see that the public health care option has been discarded by Congress. As it really is the government’s obligations to provide Americans with affordable health care.But we cannot turn back the clock on old debates. Now is the time to ensure that at least private insurance companies will be forced to provide affordable insurance and I highly recommend that you send a letter to your representatives or call them and ask them to pass the bill(s) this year.   

AnneAndJJ

Health care is a major reason I will not be leaving Canada. Our system isn't perfect, and not as good as many of the European ones, but it still beats the U.S.

mermadison

Oh lady. "As it really is the government’s obligations to provide Americans with affordable health care." Really? Since when is it the job of the government to ensure your health? Last time I checked, we as Americans still have the right to make choices about our health and bodies. This is my issue: my tax dollars paying for someone's gastric bypass. If you had done any research on the topic at all, you would realize that this "National Healthcare" is going to a) put all other health insurances out of business (hello monopoly, aren't you illegal??) and b) provide the most minimal and basic "healthcare" available to ensure that a profit is still made (hello drug-dispensing vending machines).

pinkpinot

^ this.  Mer we are really meant to be! Hahaha But I was too lazy to type a response and hate political talk on internet forums & facebook.

jeanacorina

Boo hiss politics, boo hiss.

sapphirebaby926

I'm with mer on this one. I think everyone should access to affordable health care but by no means is the government obligated to provide it.

mermadison

I just like to think of it this way: The government runs the post office. Do you really want the same people running your hospitals and doctor's offices?

Norway_T

The Universal Declaration on Human Rights signed by the US:(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.In Europe and in many other parts of the world (Latin America, India, South Africa) it is a fundamental human right.  Unfortunately, in the US has only signed the declration not the international Convention dealing with the right to health. (CESCR). But then you would rather not have the right?   Not be protected against sickness, lay offs, you would rather take the risk and possibly loose everything?And really you think the insurance, that told my mom she wouldn't be insured for a year because she had breast cancer are the good guys? The ones out to make a money, profit?  Should people really be PROFITING off your illness? The reason Hilliary's health care reform failed in the 90's was due to marketing smear campaign against her, billions of dollars and complete lies by the insurance companies.The most odd thing about this whole debate, is those against it, demographically are the ones unemployed and without insurance, I just don't understand.I tell you, you should take a trip to Europe or Canada, and see how much better a quality of life people have with affordable health care and basic benefits, people don't loose their homes because they are unemployed and are diagnosed with a grave illness. WHY is it so scary for the government to provide services to people? That is there job. I am sorry to bring politics on this board, and I apologize, everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I DO think this an important issue, one of the most important domestic issues of our life time, and to sit back and ONLY talk about weddings when we are bound to face much tougher issues in life is silly. As for a monopoly system, there is no country in the world that does not have private insurance.  And what's wrong with healthy competition, reducing the price of our health care?  I encourage debate on the issue.  I obvious have my strong opinions, but I think it is important as Americans that we understand each other's views.  And most important that we take time to appreciate the freedom and luxury that we have to debate these views and shape our democracy.  One thing though, I don't like being called uninformed on these issues, particularly when I am not.  Let's prevent any name call or bashing on these issues, yah?I live in Europe where they think AMERICANS are crazy for not wanting public, affordable health care, as it works so great here, help me understand why Americans are so afraid of affordable health care?

jeanacorina

and to sit back and ONLY talk about weddings when we are bound to face much tougher issues in life is silly.Tell you what. I'll talk about weddings and relationships on a forum designated for that.... YOU talk about politics on a forum designated for that. Do you think I do nothing else with my day than talk about weddings? I have a very full and varied life, thankyouverymuch.If I want to read about political issues, I'm not going to read it on a wedding website. This is one of those things that is not considered polite conversation, kind of like religion.It's not the sort of discussion I want to take part in on the internet with people I don't know. No offense to my buddies around here. You can help me plan my wedding, but you cannot influence my political views and decisions. And even if I agree with you, I don't want to talk about it here. Wrong place.

jeanacorina

PS: for the record, I HAVE been to Europe. mmkay? Maybe some of these other ladies have, too.Don't make assumptions about people you don't know.

mermadison

Hilarious side-note: I talked to my friend, who lives in England about this subject when this whole universal healthcare issue made the rounds again. He let me know that when Europe first adopted their "universal healthcare plan" guess what was covered? Boobjobs, that's what.

Norway_T

Hmmm. you are right, I did not mean to assume that the people making comments had not been to Europe. You are right about that.  And I am sorry for any assumptions. I only meant that the health systems are so much more funcionable, many of these fears that American's have over a new health system simply are a non issue in Europe, where the systems work much better.As for your second comment, on whether politics belongs on a wedding board, I kind of disagree, I think during this time of getting engaged, setting up a family, the issue of health insurance is very important. And I feel if you don't want to contribute to the issue, there is no need for you to open up the subject, after all it was properly titled.  Maybe others disagree?

desertsun

Norway did title her post appropriately. Nobody need respond or even read if they don't want to discuss politics. I understand this is an important issue to you, Norway. I think though, that you'll have a tough time convincing anyone here. Most responses have disagreed with your views. Agree to disagree?