2008 Woodie Awards
Who is really the "Sicko" when it comes to health?
Justin Gibson
Issue date: 7/11/07 Section: Editorial
You like waiting in long lines? Well, neither do I, but give many in this country what they want with socialized medicine and that may just be what we are all in store for. Just when you thought waiting 30 minutes in a doctor's office was bad enough, try tacking on a couple of years. Socialized medicine is providing the entire country with healthcare, which is controlled by the government. Everyone in the United States receiving "free" healthcare sounds like an amazing plan that could benefit many, but hold on just a second.
The topic of socialized medicine has been a hot topic for some time, but controversial filmmaker Michael Moore and his "documentary," titled "Sicko," have recently fueled it. Moore insists that socialized medicine is the way to go and is highly successful in other countries such as France, Great Britain, Canada and yes, even Cuba. It tough to truly think Moore even believes his own rhetoric, when at a recent press conference he was questioned to if he would consider moving to Cuba for the excellent health care system. Moore became intensely uncomfortable with the questioning, made small laughs for a few seconds, then responded with an off-topic joke. He knows that the American healthcare system if far sufficient to Cuba, no matter what he tried to depict with his American-hating garbage.
Moore makes soom good points with his attack on our health care system that is able to reject those they feel unfit for their services, which leaves many people out in the cold who desperately need medicines, treatments, etc. Yet, people use things more when they are free, and when it comes to health care you can expect substantial overuse of the system. Our government is already greatly in debt. Let's say our population spends $300 billion dollars in healthcare that will be put on our government's back; who is going to pay for that?
In addition, how do you prioritize who gets treatments first and who waits? There are past reports in Canada that some people waited so long on a waiting list to get into their doctor that they died before they were able to get in to receive proper treatment. Who will decide if someone in need of heart surgery gets priority over someone with lung cancer?
The topic of socialized medicine has been a hot topic for some time, but controversial filmmaker Michael Moore and his "documentary," titled "Sicko," have recently fueled it. Moore insists that socialized medicine is the way to go and is highly successful in other countries such as France, Great Britain, Canada and yes, even Cuba. It tough to truly think Moore even believes his own rhetoric, when at a recent press conference he was questioned to if he would consider moving to Cuba for the excellent health care system. Moore became intensely uncomfortable with the questioning, made small laughs for a few seconds, then responded with an off-topic joke. He knows that the American healthcare system if far sufficient to Cuba, no matter what he tried to depict with his American-hating garbage.
Moore makes soom good points with his attack on our health care system that is able to reject those they feel unfit for their services, which leaves many people out in the cold who desperately need medicines, treatments, etc. Yet, people use things more when they are free, and when it comes to health care you can expect substantial overuse of the system. Our government is already greatly in debt. Let's say our population spends $300 billion dollars in healthcare that will be put on our government's back; who is going to pay for that?
In addition, how do you prioritize who gets treatments first and who waits? There are past reports in Canada that some people waited so long on a waiting list to get into their doctor that they died before they were able to get in to receive proper treatment. Who will decide if someone in need of heart surgery gets priority over someone with lung cancer?
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 30
John
posted 7/11/07 @ 1:56 PM CST
While socialized medicine may not be the end all be all that Moore presents it to be, at least he is addressing the issue. This has been an issue of salient importance to most Americans since the early 1990s, and it just keeps getting worse. (Continued…)
keyvan samadi
posted 7/11/07 @ 2:13 PM CST
"if he would consider moving to Cuba for the excellent health care system". That's not a very good "reasoning" if it is at all.
He should not move to Cuba to prove the point. (Continued…)
pdonahu
Pam Donahue
posted 7/11/07 @ 2:13 PM CST
Please read the following articles that at least try to remain unbiased and not use the standard pat answers of "long lines" and "poor care" and the "garbage" comments conservatives like to spout. (Continued…)
Jimbo
posted 7/11/07 @ 2:22 PM CST
Perhaps the reason that there are 30 minute wait lines currently for the doctor is that doctors do not have adequate training to diagnose problems correctly the first time. (Continued…)
Margaret Frost
posted 7/11/07 @ 2:49 PM CST
Okay....I am going to ignore all of the typos and sentences ended in prepositions and pretend that this article is worth considering...
That said, I do not believe that long lines will be that much of a problem. (Continued…)
Billjamison
Bill Jamison
posted 7/11/07 @ 3:05 PM CST
John "at least he is addressing the issue." Hardly, that is like guys like Keyvan raling on about "Unfair War". Both he and yourself have forgotten two main points, Moore is a fantasy film maker "legitimized" by the far left, Moveon. (Continued…)
Margaret Frost
posted 7/11/07 @ 3:39 PM CST
Whoa. First of all, Keyvan is not Pakistani, he is Iranian, but judging by the way you have lumped ALL middle easterners together in the above statement, you don't know the difference. (Continued…)
Bill Jamison
posted 7/11/07 @ 3:59 PM CST
Whoa I obviously sturck old Maggie's liberal nerve? Sorry about that, I forgot in America people like you feel we can't call a spade a spade. Until you have lieved what I have lived liberalize your own colony and leave mine alone. (Continued…)
keysam
keyvan samadi
posted 7/11/07 @ 4:12 PM CST
Dear Bill Jamison,
You seem to have many issues with every race in America. I laughed very hard at your comments, I am not from Pakistan. Put you passion to work, many organizations will love to have someone like you. (Continued…)
Margaret Frost
posted 7/11/07 @ 4:18 PM CST
HA....Keyvan I haven't laughed that hard in awhile! Simply brilliant.
Post a Comment