Kerry endorses Obama Options

[Spectatrix]

For better or worse... hopefully this'll give Obama a boost over Clinton.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22590831/

[Psykopath]

There is NOTHING wrong with socialized healthcare.

The only thing "wrong" with it is the incorrect spin placed on it and scare tactics utilized by opponents (tactics started by pharm companies, medical corporations, and doctors who enjoy ripping out a patient's asshole with bills).

YES, doctors make less under such a system. The make a mid-range six-figure salary. Ohhhhhhhh, the horror, they'll STARVE!!!

lolz

[Hartmann]

There is NOTHING wrong with socialized healthcare.

The only thing "wrong" with it is the incorrect spin placed on it and scare tactics utilized by opponents (tactics started by pharm companies, medical corporations, and doctors who enjoy ripping out a patient's asshole with bills).

YES, doctors make less under such a system. The make a mid-range six-figure salary. Ohhhhhhhh, the horror, they'll STARVE!!!

lolz

There are several issues with universal healthcare. Just because you don't think they are issues does not make them non-issues.

Your last sentence actually points out a flaw in the system and the move to socialism. Doctors provide a needed service and therefore can make more money than other people. They are also more skilled than, say, a computer programmer. Why should they not make six figures? You make it sound like the motivation for every doctor is money, which I guess for some, it is. However, spending 7+ in school (with lots of debt), is a lot of work to make more money. If anything, we should be trying to keep doctors here in the states as there is an overwhelming number of people getting their training here and then moving overseas.

My main problems with universal healthcare however, are these:

1. Not everyone wants healthcare. There are a good number of Americans who have no interest in getting health insurance, not even if it was mandatory. Why should those people pay into something that they will never use (this same concept can be used for those who don't want social security)? Also, will the government fine these people for not paying in? Hillary's language is pretty much "mandatory" healthcare while Obama's is more fuzzy.

2. The main problem isn't the healthcare system, the periphery is. The insurance and drug companies are the problem. Ever since 1997 when it became legal to advertise prescription drugs on television and billboards we have seen an increase in the cost of healthcare. The insurance companies saw potential and have stuck with it and they've ignored preventive care.

3. People who need/want healthcare can get it for an inexpensive price tag, the problem is, they don't do it. There are lots of options for less expensive, good healthcare. I priced self-paid insurance for me this morning, $80/month with the benefits of everything I have at work right now.

4. It is the first true step to socialism. We already have government intervention in other areas, now we're getting government intervention with possible mandatory participation. No thanks.

5. Taxes. Anyone who does not think we will see a minor and even significant tax increase is sorely mistaken. Utopias of healthcare for everyone don't come cheap, just ask a Canadian, they pay nearly 50% of their income away in taxes, leading to retirement problems later on. Yeah, sure, when they're 80 they'll still have access to a hospital for "free" but they will also still be working.

6. Waste. There is a lot of waste associated with universal healthcare. Again, ask a Canadian. Why? Well there is no incentive to produce anything efficiently or cheaply because it is government funds being used to pay for it.

Anyway, those are my issues with universal healthcare. I don't deny there is a healthcare problem in the U.S. I just think there are other ways to affectively change it for the better.