World Politics

[broken chain]

A few points:Correct me if I'm wrong but don't most foreigners go to med school here on the governments dime?Saw an article in the paper given by a Dr. from England.He claims many American doctors are in it for the $$$$.Says he does fine himself,not a multi millionaire but lives very well.Greed factor applies.My family Dr.'s son is a brilliant neurosurgeon.He left Ohio and set up practice in Missouri because malpractice insurance was 27000 cheaper.Student loans are a big problem as someone mentioned.I know of a neurologist who had to abandon his private practice because he wasn't making it on his own.He joined a group of doctors.His student loans were so high he had to rent an apartment,couldn't afford a home.Consider this,in 1962 I received 13 stitches in my knee at the hospital.Total bill $13,you paid cash on the spot.They actually had a pay as you exit window. My wife just had kidney stones pulverized,bills still coming in ,already at roughly 13,000.Who's to blame?Lobbyists,Insurance,Lawyers,Politicos??Very complex problem.Middle class or whats left of it getting really squeezed.Only the very rich or very poor can afford it.I have friends who won the lottery 21 years ago.A nice amount in the millions.The wife had to go back to work to acquire health insurance.Over the last 3 years it cost 2 adults $71000 to insure themselves.With her working its only costing them 75.00 a month.

 

[rhubroma]

There is an argument that can be made that would say we have that now.


A strong conservative woman who's pro gun and pro life scares the hell out of you guys. Ok... I get it. I'm just surprised I have not heard the homophobe/bigot language when mentioning her as that seems to be the way to shut down speech the left does not agree with these days.

Her book sales are kicking ass. More political consternation for you guys? BTW, I don't think she's electable but I care to hear what she has to say. Like I said, you don't agree with her points of view so you just trash her. The politics of person destruction. That's how it's done. I understand. It was/is the same with Reagan, Bush, Clinton (Hill and Bill), W Bush, Gingrich, Limbaugh, Hannity, Ann Coulter, Justice Thomas, Condoleeza Rice and on and on and on.

I just hope I don't read you and RRalph bemoaning how politically polarized the US is.

She is only presentable to a certain class of american public, which frankly to most of the rest of the civilaized world is indiative of what a bizzare and politically cultureless place the US is. And it's not about left or right, but forma mentis. Lot's of people without brains care what she has to say and those are the folks with the priviledge of electing the White House ticket which will have impact on the lives of not just Americans, but pretty much everybody on the planet.

In any case, in Europe, either on the left or right, she simply would be mocked as an indecent embarassment to educated (and not only) society. Which goes to show you that democracy is only as strong as the voting public.

 

[Anonymous]

She is only presentable to a certain class of american public, which frankly to most of the rest of the civilaized world is indiative of what a bizzare and politically cultureless place the US is. And it's not about left or right, but forma mentis. Lot's of people without brains care what she has to say and those are the folks with the priviledge of electing the White House ticket which will have impact on the lives of not just Americans, but pretty much everybody on the planet.

In any case, in Europe, either on the left or right, she simply would be mocked as an indecent embarassment to educated (and not only) society. Which goes to show you that democracy is only as strong as the voting public.

And you have the temerity to suggest the US is a 'bizarre and politically cultureless place' and proceed to write this? Did you not read that I thought she was unelectable?

Ever wonder why Europe is soooo dependent upon the US when there is such a 'strong voting public'? How could this be since there's 'lots of people without brains' over here?

You disagree with Palin's political positions so why don't you explain why or is your political acumen only as deep as the insults you hurl?

 

[ihavenolimbs]

Ever wonder why Europe is soooo dependent upon the US?

It is? How?

Also, on the topic of Palin, she is stupid for a politician. Politicians are typically about 120 IQ, high enough so that most people see them as smart and can have confidence in their leadership, but apparently not so high as to be seen as too clever. Dunno why this is. I doubt Thomas Jefferson would have ever got elected in this age, probably would have been seen as elitist (though he probably was).

Anyway, what's Palin's IQ? Maybe 100 at best? (She actually believes in creation, come-on.) So about half of people see her as beneath themselves. Why would anyone want to elect a leader that they see as less capable than themselves? So yes, Palin is unelectable as there aren't enough stupid Americans.

 

[titan_90]

So yes, Palin is unelectable as there aren't enough stupid Americans.

Are you 100% sure about that? I'm not

 

[Anonymous]

Are you 100% sure about that? I'm not

Yea, I am unconvinced as well.

 

[ihavenolimbs]

I'll take your word on it then Titan.

You probably know than me since I live in New Zealand. Not many of the Americans that make it to NZ are mouth-breathers. But that may be a biased sample. The really stupid ones might not travel...

 

[rhubroma]

It is? How?
(She actually believes in creation, come-on.)

No need for further comment.

 

[rhubroma]

And you have the temerity to suggest the US is a 'bizarre and politically cultureless place' and proceed to write this?

Damn right I do. (Sorry, couldn't resist further comment.)

Most Americans are absolutely clueless when it comes to political culture and ideology. They have no idea that history actually began before 1776 (if they knew that much). Compared with their average European counterparts, they have a much lower what I call "political IQ."

And if you don't beleive me, I'd encourage you to come out of the box for a while and actually live in a Europe for a while before making such inane comments.

Sure there are huge problems in the EU, however the critical situation here is a bit more intelligent than whether or not it's a good idea to take healthcare management out of the hands of private insurance corporations and place it into the public sector. Or in the political debate, whether or not creationism should be taught alongside (or even replace) Darwin's evolution. Where there even exists, in modern society, a so-called "Moral Majority" that has political weight. Where if a politician speaks at a university level (something we should all hope in our political leadership, that they can at least communicate at the level of higher education), they usually get branded as elite. What's wrong with elite? Someone who leads the nation is "elite" by definition, so why the desire to have him speak to the masses as if at a baseball game (like a certain George Bush)? Why the hypocrisy and false plebian posturing? And why bring everyhting down to the lowest common denominator? So right middle America can feel proud of their home girl Palin? If I were among the right, I'd be asking myself about how lowly we have gotten down (and not just politically but culturally), to have arrived at having a Palin on our White House ticket.??

This is what I meant by America seeming like a "bizzare" place to them. Because, frankly, it is. Whether you like it or not.

PS. If Americans weren't allowed to sue the doctors so often to try and make a buck, the doctors wouldn't have to pay the exorbitant malpractice insurance policies they do, which, in turn, drives up their fees, which, in turn, drives up health ensurance costs. So everybody makes out in the nausiating racket: the lawyers, the doctors, the insurance companies. Everybody, that is, except for the patient.

And people in Europe don't sue doctors for every little thing: number one because they are more civil and mature and realize that not everything that goes wrong in life is necessarily someone else's fault and two: they have not been bred on a base oportunism which tries to transform every private disgrace into a litigious affair to make a buck when there is always some shark lawyer willing to oblige. Naturally when a doctor is really at fault a case will be opened, however, that is evidently by the European public seen as a relatively infrequent event.

In any case, if you take all the lawyers and insurance corporations out of healthcare, its costs will be dramatically cut, just as doctors fees should consequently be lowered. Because we are not just paying for the medical services they provide, but the rediculously high malpractice insurance fees they are forced to pay in the American society and system. And therefore the taxes which would be necessary to foot the bill for State insurance would be proportionally less expensive than private insurance.

The problem is that Ameircan doctors are never going to drop their over costly fees now (even hypothetically without the need for insurance), nor are Americans going to grow up and stop sueing their medics so much. At least unless all the lawyers aren't strung up. So this isn't even economic completely, but cultural. Which again, to the eyes of the rest of the civilized world (even Cuba) seems bizzare.

 

[runninboy]

Damn right I do. (Sorry, couldn't resist further comment.)

Most Americans are absolutely clueless when it comes to political culture and ideology. They have no idea that history actually began before 1776 (if they knew that much). Compared with their average European counterparts, they have a much lower what I call "political IQ."

And if you don't beleive me, I'd encourage you to come out of the box for a while and actually live in a Europe for a while before making such inane comments.

Sure there are huge problems in the EU, however the critical situation here is a bit more intelligent than whether or not it's a good idea to take healthcare management out of the hands of private insurance corporations and place it into the public sector. Or in the political debate, whether or not creationism should be taught alongside (or even replace) Darwin's evolution. Where there even exists, in modern society, a so-called "Moral Majority" that has political weight. Where if a politician speaks at a university level (something we should all hope in our political leadership, that they can at least communicate at the level of higher education), they usually get branded as elite. What's wrong with elite? Someone who leads the nation is "elite" by definition, so why the desire to have him speak to the masses as if at a baseball game (like a certain George Bush)? Why the hypocrisy and false plebian posturing? And why bring everyhting down to the lowest common denominator? So right middle America can feel proud of their home girl Palin? If I were among the right, I'd be asking myself about how lowly we have gotten down (and not just politically but culturally), to have arrived at having a Palin on our White House ticket.??

This is what I meant by America seeming like a "bizzare" place to them. Because, frankly, it is. Whether you like it or not.

PS. If Americans weren't allowed to sue the doctors so often to try and make a buck, the doctors wouldn't have to pay the exorbitant malpractice insurance policies they do, which, in turn, drives up their fees, which, in turn, drives up health ensurance costs. So everybody makes out in the nausiating racket: the lawyers, the doctors, the insurance companies. Everybody, that is, except for the patient.

And people in Europe don't sue doctors for every little thing: number one because they are more civil and mature and realize that not everything that goes wrong in life is necessarily someone else's fault and two: they have not been bred on a base oportunism which tries to transform every private disgrace into a litigious affair to make a buck when there is always some shark lawyer willing to oblige. Naturally when a doctor is really at fault a case will be opened, however, that is evidently by the European public seen as a relatively infrequent event.

In any case, if you take all the lawyers and insurance corporations out of healthcare, its costs will be dramatically cut, just as doctors fees should consequently be lowered. Because we are not just paying for the medical services they provide, but the rediculously high malpractice insurance fees they are forced to pay in the American society and system. And therefore the taxes which would be necessary to foot the bill for State insurance would be proportionally less expensive than private insurance.

The problem is that Ameircan doctors are never going to drop their over costly fees now (even hypothetically without the need for insurance), nor are Americans going to grow up and stop sueing their medics so much. At least unless all the lawyers aren't strung up. So this isn't even economic completely, but cultural. Which again, to the eyes of the rest of the civilized world (even Cuba) seems bizzare.

I agree totally with your take on the malpractice situation and cost of american medicine. Basically the costs are not going to come down because of the current culture in the US.

Another factor is the political makeup of the situation, basically the trial lawyers are huge contributors to the left and the insurance companies to the right. While you denigrate the right in your post and i can understand to a certain extent the bigger problem is really from a Politcal standpoint that no one represents the true interest of the people.
While each side has there own way of whipping people into this"us versus them" frenzy the Americans themselves are the losers while the politicians go out to dinner together and even marry each other once the cameras turn off.
Until we recognize that both sides are dirty, both sides have their hands in the pockets of the people, this ridiculous situation will continue.

The longer we perpetute the myths of one party being good & the other party evil/stupid the longer we suffer. We have been trained to fight each other and we just succeed in bringing america down.

You know what this crap reminds me of? High school.Specifically sports.
Our school had a rival school and if one of their players got hurt our students would be celebrating. Our team didn't because we didnt want to see anyone hurt. they werent evil. Most of us had enjoyed competing against each other for years, it was fun, may the best guy win. But these stupid people just wanted THEIR team to win at any cost. so anything bad to the other side was a good thing. I thought people would grow out of such thinking but politicians and talk show hosts and newspapers are so desperate they prey on peoples worst instincts.

It would be nice if more americans would refrain from engaging in this stupid tit for tat discussion. My parents and grandparents never talked in such terms. I dont know which way my family ever voted, they always discussed issues in general terms, with pros & cons of both sides. Usually it was along the lines of those people in washington want to ....
Now every sentence is right/left.
I have lived and worked in Europe, I see alot of the same problems but they seem to approach them in a less toxic manner. Not so much successfully but at least people can have intelligent discussion without resorting to name calling within 5 seconds.

 

[scribe]

Obama reverses arcane policy prohibiting people with HIV from entering the United States.

 

[elapid]

Obama reverses arcane policy prohibiting people with HIV from entering the United States.

Totally unrelated to the thread, and sorry to digress, but what always made me laugh was the checklist on the visa waiver for citizens of countries like Australia entering the USA. Some of the items on this checklist include:

- Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime for moral turpitude?

- Have you ever been or now involved in espionage or sabotage; or in terrorist activities; or in genocide; or between 1933 and 1945 were you involved, in any way, in persecutions involved with Nazi Germany or its allies?

When I was younger, I asked what moral turpitude was and the immigration officer replied that it was similar to Clinton and Lewinsky. He didn't like it when I replied that it was OK for the President to commit moral turpitude but not a visitor to the States.

And if anyone is going to put their hand up and admit to being a terrorist or a spy!

 

[CentralCaliBike]

Totally unrelated to the thread, and sorry to digress, but what always made me laugh was the checklist on the visa waiver for citizens of countries like Australia entering the USA. Some of the items on this checklist include:

- Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime for moral turpitude?

- Have you ever been or now involved in espionage or sabotage; or in terrorist activities; or in genocide; or between 1933 and 1945 were you involved, in any way, in persecutions involved with Nazi Germany or its allies?

When I was younger, I asked what moral turpitude was and the immigration officer replied that it was similar to Clinton and Lewinsky. He didn't like it when I replied that it was OK for the President to commit moral turpitude but not a visitor to the States.

And if anyone is going to put their hand up and admit to being a terrorist or a spy!

Asking if you are a terrorist is CYA for the border agents - the moral turpitude question is CYA for the politicians (they sometimes forget it can result in a bit of poignant humor at their expense down the road).

As for Obama - he is a politician and has offered what the populous wants to obtain power, as a first term president he will continue to spend money to gain popularity. It is the decades of buying votes by both parties that has landed us in the current financial system. My biggest problem Obama is that he is promising to spend our way into financial collapse at a much faster rate than any of his predecessors (with the exception of the WWII years) without any interest in a long term plan for getting out of this financial mess.

This is equally true for the financial markets and large business enterprises as well, since they are trying to buy the support of the stock holders who seem to only have a short term interest in the companies they have invested in.

 

[scribe]

Obama spending us into financial collapse is a bit of an exaggeration, especially with many of the Bush initiatives that were already in place regarding both the military and financial rescue packages. Like Clinton, I'd look for a dramatic decrease in military spending and a financial recovery to bring the books close to a balance.

We need domestic spending on health care rather than pursuing wars against people who will never change nor appreciate our objectives.

 

[knewcleardaze]

I'll put on my flak jacket before I post my view.

Having one's employer buying your health insurance makes as much sense as having your employer buy your food. Go and get any and all unnecessary tests done and pay your one time deductible fee.
Go to grocery store, why buy hot dogs when I can buy filet mignon, and a bunch of other things, all for my one time deductible.
I am aware this is an extreme scenario, but I am all for health care for everyone. People filing for bankruptcy because they are hit with a serious illness. That is wrong. I would think the tax payers, ieGovt.) should train doctors. I am all for MDs making a good wage. It looks to me the way things are, I don't see any change. The Lobbyists run this country.
I'll stop now before I get all worked up.

 

[titan_90]

Obama spending us into financial collapse is a bit of an exaggeration, especially with many of the Bush initiatives that were already in place regarding both the military and financial rescue packages. Like Clinton, I'd look for a dramatic decrease in military spending and a financial recovery to bring the books close to a balance.

We need domestic spending on health care rather than pursuing wars against people who will never change nor appreciate our objectives.

I agree with you Obama is not even a year into his first term. He can't change everything in ten months.

We need to take some money out of the obscene military budget and put into health care and other programs to actually improve peoples lives.

I'll put on my flak jacket before I post my view.

Having one's employer buying your health insurance makes as much sense as having your employer buy your food. Go and get any and all unnecessary tests done and pay your one time deductible fee.
Go to grocery store, why buy hot dogs when I can buy filet mignon, and a bunch of other things, all for my one time deductible.
I am aware this is an extreme scenario, but I am all for health care for everyone. People filing for bankruptcy because they are hit with a serious illness. That is wrong. I would think the tax payers, ieGovt.) should train doctors. I am all for MDs making a good wage. It looks to me the way things are, I don't see any change. The Lobbyists run this country.
I'll stop now before I get all worked up.

You're right big business runs this country and has for some time. The only way this will change is when the public stands up for themselves and takes back control of their government. But, the USA will get alot worse before this will happen.

 

[CentralCaliBike]

We need domestic spending on health care rather than pursuing wars against people who will never change nor appreciate our objectives.

Where I work there is employer mandatory health care. It cost three to four times as much as the private market for the premiums and has resulted in everyone with a sniffle going to the doctor (which has resulted in higher premiums).

I require a medication (that I pay for because it costs more than my deductible) for a minor condition that I have had since I was a teenager and for which, without a miracle, I will always have to take the medication. The doctor knows I am going to have the medication but every year requires physical and blood test before giving me a twelve month prescription. Recently he has only been giving me a prescription for six months and asking for me to get another blood test and physical.

The cost of insurance increased greatly over the past couple of decades: in part because of poor investing; in part because of an entitlement mentality of those with insurance to go to the doctor for any and all illnesses; in part because the medical community is demanding more oversight of a patient (based on billing ability and CYA because of lawsuits); and in part because medicine has created the "medical miracle" but at a very high cost ratio basis.

In the end, like our national debt and the current financial crisis - the insurance crisis seems to be fueled by greed (on all parties) and short sightedness.

 

[scribe]

I think seeing the doctor for sniffles and demanding antibiotics is definitely overkill. They don't (or can't....tort) do enough to stem the demand for this sort of healthcare. HOWEVER!, early warning signs of serious medical conditions should be expressed to your doctor as a means of preventative measures. This sort of medical access will save the public big bucks and by some estimates would offset the cost of insuring all americans. The logic being the public cost of treating the uninsured for preventable serious medical conditions is stressing our system to a dangerious breaking point.

 

[Race Radio]

Damn right I do. (Sorry, couldn't resist further comment.)

Most Americans are absolutely clueless when it comes to political culture and ideology. They have no idea that history actually began before 1776 (if they knew that much). Compared with their average European counterparts, they have a much lower what I call "political IQ."

.

Complete BS.

I have spent much of my life dividing time between Europe and the US. I lived in Europe for over 6 years. For the past 8 years I have worked for a major European company and spend 2-3 months a year there. Neither side has a monopoly on morons or genius', although my European colleagues have a self perceived superiority shaped more by their media then spending any time in the US. The US group is the engine for growth and innovation in the company.

The Euros do have a far better selection of complete idiots with political power. Jörg Haider, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Silvio Berlusconi, Various porn stars in the Italian Parliament and the inbred members of the "Lucky Sperm Club" that is the House of Lords in the UK.

Chavs in the UK, Ultras in Italy, the entire country of Belgium all are on par with the dumbest pizza guy in Jersey or the reddest of rednecks.

If the Euro's are so intellectuality superior where are their Harvard's? Why are 15 of the top 20 colleges in the world in the US and none in mainland Europe?

In my decades of international travel I have found simple people and intellectuals wherever I go. The all have their positive and negative qualities. Some of the best people you will meet are clueless, some of the worst think they know everything and anyone who does not think like them is inferior.

 

[ggusta]

Damn right I do. (Sorry, couldn't resist further comment.)

Most Americans are absolutely clueless when it comes to political culture and ideology. They have no idea that history actually began before 1776 (if they knew that much). Compared with their average European counterparts, they have a much lower what I call "political IQ."

Lotsa words, but you say little.

I think describing your post as ignorant is an understatement.

 

[CentralCaliBike]

It is? How?

Also, on the topic of Palin, she is stupid for a politician. Politicians are typically about 120 IQ, high enough so that most people see them as smart and can have confidence in their leadership, but apparently not so high as to be seen as too clever. Dunno why this is. I doubt Thomas Jefferson would have ever got elected in this age, probably would have been seen as elitist (though he probably was).

Anyway, what's Palin's IQ? Maybe 100 at best? (She actually believes in creation, come-on.) So about half of people see her as beneath themselves. Why would anyone want to elect a leader that they see as less capable than themselves? So yes, Palin is unelectable as there aren't enough stupid Americans.

There are some people with fairly high IQs that believe in creation - and a lot with IQs under a 100 that do not.

 

[CentralCaliBike]

Damn right I do. (Sorry, couldn't resist further comment.)

Most Americans are absolutely clueless when it comes to political culture and ideology. They have no idea that history actually began before 1776 (if they knew that much). Compared with their average European counterparts, they have a much lower what I call "political IQ."

Interesting generalization - having gone to college with a large number of Europeans, the ones I went to school with seemed to be less interested in history, and a lot less interested in politics in general, than most of the "American" students taking the same subjects. Note: I had a minor in history and a BA in Political Science (with and emphasis in Western European politics), along with a BS in Psychology - I always thought that the "BS" was appropriate for that subject matter . In fact most of the European students I went to school with avoided taking History and Political Science classes in general.

 

[CentralCaliBike]

At least unless all the lawyers aren't strung up. So this isn't even economic completely, but cultural. Which again, to the eyes of the rest of the civilized world (even Cuba) seems bizzare.

Now I am offended - as an attorney I have not been able to make any money at all off of medical malpractice (I am sure it has something to due with my legal skills).

As for Cuba, I have talked to a person who spent several weeks off the coast of Cuba watching how Castro made an immediate effect on the overall health conditions of his citizenry > years later the man was unable to think about Castro without losing his temper. From what he described you cannot use Cuba as an example of civilized nations.

 

[pedaling squares]

Complete BS.

I have spent much of my life dividing time between Europe and the US. I lived in Europe for over 6 years. For the past 8 years I have worked for a major European company and spend 2-3 months a year there. Neither side has a monopoly on morons or genius', although my European colleagues have a self perceived superiority shaped more by their media then spending any time in the US. The US group is the engine for growth and innovation in the company.

The Euros do have a far better selection of complete idiots with political power. Jörg Haider, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Silvio Berlusconi, Various porn stars in the Italian Parliament and the inbred members of the "Lucky Sperm Club" that is the House of Lords in the UK.

Chavs in the UK, Ultras in Italy, the entire country of Belgium all are on par with the dumbest pizza guy in Jersey or the reddest of rednecks.

If the Euro's are so intellectuality superior where are their Harvard's? Why are 15 of the top 20 colleges in the world in the US and none in mainland Europe?

In my decades of international travel I have found simple people and intellectuals wherever I go. The all have their positive and negative qualities. Some of the best people you will meet are clueless, some of the worst think they know everything and anyone who does not think like them is inferior.

+1. I encounter people from all parts of the world through work, and can assure you that no culture, no nation, no continent holds the patent on intelligence nor exclusive license to be stupid. We are all in this together.

 

[Bala Verde]

Any thoughts on a - what seems to be - current issue in the USA, namely 'marriage' and 'gay (or better lgtb) rights'?