More from the article:
Why are so many American voters enraged by attempts to change a horribly inefficient system that leaves them with premiums they often cannot afford?
Why are they manning the barricades to defend insurance companies that routinely deny claims and cancel policies?
It might be tempting to put the whole thing down to what the historian Richard Hofstadter back in the 1960s called "the paranoid style" of American politics, in which God, guns and race get mixed into a toxic stew of resentment at anything coming out of Washington.
>>>>>>>

Some interesting points in this article but I have to disagree with the basic premise. I believe it is the corporate media that spews continual misinformation and always sides with the corporations, the richest 1% and Republicans who do their bidding, combined with the fact that many Americans cannot think for themselves due to msm indoctrination with constant propaganda....that causes them to FEAR any change including change that is in their own best interests.

Yet:
"We have nothing to FEAR, but fear itself."
FDR

hey woke we had a long thread on this abt a week ago. sorry

Maybe they have been to the POST OFFICE and witnessed Cash for Clunkers along with the Terrorist Trails scheduled to be held in New York and realize the government can screw up a wet dream, especially with Obama at the helm...

ATA

Let me guess, you are still believing reagan when he said corporations will always do the "right" thing for American workers and prefer to allow yourself and your children to be at the whim of the giant global corporations who tell you to trust them instead of your govt of, by and for the people.

How's that working out for you?

Apparently, you believe those corporation's media, eh?

It's all the govt's fault.

You betcha!

Sorry, truthhurts I been out of internet town for about a week. But now, there is another thread discussing how duped some folks are....

Don't believe it?

See post # 3 and keep watching.

"Maybe they have been to the POST OFFICE"

I've been there recently and got great service with a smile. I was treated much better than I am at most stores. When was the last time your order of fast food was done wrong???

How's that working out for you?

Just fine Thank you, I have excellent coverage without Federal Government intervention. I can also wipe my own ass without any help from a Socialist Nanny state who would only serve to create a huge bureaucracy. Don't believe me though look where Mr. Williams' decided to go for his surgery...

#6 | Posted by danni at 2010-02-03 01:43 PM

danni perhaps you can explain to us why Mr. Williams decided to come here for his surgery instead of utilizing Canada's vastly superior system...

"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the (Republicans) can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the (Republicans) to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State."

The Rethugs are really good at the "Big Lies". And it does not say much for the "base" that continue to believe them even long after they have been debunked.

ATA

Oh, right it worked out great for you, despite the failed economy, foreign policy failures and massive DEBT......YOU got yours, fk everyone else....the repug mantra strikes again, eh?

I forgot, in right wingers minds, 4 decades of neocon repug policy failures are all OBAMA's fault....

DONNERBOY perhaps you can explain to us why Mr. Williams decided to come here for his surgery instead of utilizing Canada's vastly superior system...

(ANY LIBERAL) perhaps you can explain to us why Mr. Williams decided to come here for his surgery instead of utilizing Canada's vastly superior system...

And remember Bush's fault does not count, nice try though woke...

ALL the Liberals left without answering HA HA HA LOL LOL DAMN PESKY FACTS...

Sure ATA,

I'll be glad to tell you why an EXCEPTION to the rule occurred as soon as you admit that you are using a strawman argument that does not apply to the topic.....that many Americans, especially right wingers who make less than the top 1% vote AGAINST their own best interests.

Until you do, here is a couple of thoughts to pierce your indoctrinated mind.....

1. American medical availability and quality will not change just because some folks are added and paid for by our govt. The same private medical industries will still be there collecting. No? Then why are they doing so in EVERY other major industrialized nation in the world.....all of which presently have govt sponsored healthcare, except the USA?

2. ANY healthcare insurance is great, if you presently have NONE, no?

Oh, I forgot, you have health insurance so fk everyone who doesn't, eh? The repug mantra......Of course, in spewing that crapola, you don't seem to realize WHO is paying for those who don't in a myriad of ways, eh?

serve to create a huge bureaucracy.

that huge bureauracracy is fine when it is within a for profit company.

ALL the Liberals left without answering HA HA HA LOL LOL DAMN PESKY FACTS...
#15 | POSTED BY ATAXPAYER AT 2010-02-03 02:24 PM |

Wow, another rwr who believes that spewing strawman/red herring arguments and then immediately declaring internet victory a couple of minutes later entitles them to a victory dance around their computer...

Hilarious!

bears repeating

Our country is so fucked up.

We have people married to the idea that a Health Insurance co. whose sole motive is profit is required in our health system.

People are fucking morons.

My middle class, white collar, average sized company is looking at a 65% increase in our rates for an average benefit package-

Justification-they lowballed to get our business, new mandates and trends. I call bullshit.

When 30% of your health dollars go to processing payments (which is what health insurance companies do) PLUS the additional costs to your provider with him processing claims. THAT IS FUCKED UP!

And FUCKING MORONS cant see the destruction this system is doing to us.

We need single payer universal healthcare.

This would ELIMINATE YOUR and YOUR EMPLOYERS CONTRIBUTIONS to health benefits.

Yes this would be offset by an increase in taxes BUT without the fucking leaches at the health insurance companies and the fucking leach insurance brokers you wouldnt pay any more.

USE the WINDFALL of money to fund educating doctors to assure adequate health care access for all.

People are so fucking stupid to think this couldnt work.

It works many other places.

It works here with medicare, medicaid, the VA

EVEN IN FUCKING PRISONS.

Christ people are stupid. They get what they fucking deserve

just curious atax what type of business do you work for that gives you that great insurance?

1. American medical availability and quality will not change just because some folks are added and paid for by our govt.

Oh that is funny you should sell used cars for a living, ever heard of Mexico and illigal aliens just for starters...

ANY LIBERAL) perhaps you can explain to us why Mr. Williams decided to come here for his surgery instead of utilizing Canada's vastly superior system...

No official statistics are kept on how many Americans travel overseas for medical care, but one estimate places the number at 150,000 in 2006.

DONNERBOY perhaps you can explain to us why Mr. Williams decided to come here for his surgery instead of utilizing Canada's vastly superior system...

#11 | Posted by ATaxpayer

hmm Because the number one health care system in the world (Yes, that would be France) would not take him?

just a guess. Any more strawmen to debunk today Atax?

just curious atax what type of business do you work for that gives you that great insurance?

#20 | Posted by truthhurts

I work for PBS anyway back to my original question:

WHY IS The premier of Canada's east coast province undergoing heart surgery in the United States this week. Is it because the treatment he is seeking is not available in his home province.

The announcement about of Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams' plans has triggered a debate since Canada prides itself on its universal health care system.

ummm ok the Publicly Funded PBS

ok gotcha

Thanks for playing.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Why are more Americans who need major surgery leaving the U.S.?

Noted: ATA refused to admit his BS article is strawman to the topic....that so many Americans vote against their best interests, including those like himself who have insurance but are paying thru the nose with huge increases since Clinton brought up reform in 93.

The increases being in part due to the 98% who make less than $250K a year having to pay for those who don't have it, but most simply due to FOR PROFIT coming before what's best for all working Americans.

Poor duped ATA...spewing his multimillionaire master's mantras for them.

atax's health insurance IS publicly supported.

ROFLOL!

ATAX how quickly do you think your health insurance premiums would go up if the federal govt pulled their funding to PBS?

OMG, I cant stop laughing.

www.worldmedassist.com

Why are more Americans who need major surgery leaving the U.S.?

#25 | Posted by truthhurts

As the only medical tourism company that received the Better Business Bureau's A+ rating,

LOL LOL you have to be kidding me a "medical tourism company" tell me do you get a big mac and fries with that...

Just fine Thank you, I have excellent coverage without Federal Government intervention.

ok I will give you the benefit of the doubt ATAX.

Perhaps you dont get your insurance through PBS. Is that the case?

of course since you get paid in part from federal government subsidies.....

and the question remains

Why are more Americans who need major surgery leaving the U.S.?

#19 bears repeating

Americans are just plain stupid.

Hey atax, repeat after me

"Keep your government hands off my medicare"

Just fine Thank you, I have excellent coverage without Federal Government intervention.

I work for PBS

ROFLOL

Gonna piss my pants!

ATAX how quickly do you think your health insurance premiums would go up if the federal govt pulled their funding to PBS?

OMG, I cant stop laughing.

#30 | Posted by truthhurts

I can help with the laughing part, I have stated many times here on this site I am self employed, sorry but I just knew you would fall for PBS...

The partisan foolishness on display here perfectly illustrates why people vote against their own interests.

oh ok, fair enough you got me, that was funny.

Self employed,hmmmm

just wondering where you money comes from and what position you would be in if the fed govt stop funding you.

I can help with the laughing part, I have stated many times here on this site I am self employed, sorry but I just knew you would fall for PBS...

#36 | Posted by ATaxpayer

ok sorry if I dont follow what you do for a living, I actually have a life and cant retain that trivia in my brain.

truthhurts,
Oh shit that was funny hook line and sinker "PBS" now I can't stop laughing, I mean the very first word is Public.

As for the "medical tourism company" do you get a big mac and fries with that...

hahaha,

yeah it is a shame that us citizens have to get mchealthcare, real funny

ok sorry if I dont follow what you do for a living, I actually have a life and cant retain that trivia in my brain.

#39 | Posted by truthhurts

It's all good sometimes you are the bug and sometimes you are the windsheild, besides I was saving the PBS line for danni...

I should have figured you would lie

yeah it is a shame that us citizens have to get mchealthcare, real funny

#41 | Posted by truthhurts

Maybe we don't have to settle for that, it seems to me our leaders could use a screwdriver instead of a sledge hammer. Why not start by implementing the parts of the bill that everyone can agree on without being bought off. For example being able to purchase insurance across state lines...

I should have figured you would lie

#43 | Posted by truthhurts

My father is a Politician what can I say...

Not really...

I am looking at at 64% increase in my health insurance. I am thinking that a sledge hammer approach is necessary

to the insurance broker's head if nowhere else

I am looking at at 64% increase in my health insurance. I am thinking that a sledge hammer approach is necessary

#47 | Posted by truthhurts

I'd be looking for new Heath Care provider. You're getting screwed in case you can't tell.

I am looking at at 64% increase

#47 | Posted by truthhurts

That's not right or fair, I don't have an answer for that. The current health care bill has been defiled with corruption and backroom deals I would like to see congress put the debates on CSPAN for all to witness and start all over one piece at the time...

I'd be looking for new Heath Care provider. You're getting screwed in case you can't tell.

#49 | Posted by wisgod

You don't say.

They aren't even offering a reach around benefit.

Competitors came in a 83% and 65%, respectively. Other two Ins Co refused to bid.

Corporations' biggest single budget item - especially if you include bribing Republican legislators - is persuading people to vote against their own best interests. Corporate HMOs spend a million and a half each day (cheap at any price) to convince people they don't want health care. That's only the tip of the iceberg.

I've cited before an old Erskine Caldwell ("Tobacco Road") short story, written long before the corporocracy's ascension, about a grizzled oldster "they" convince that he ought to kill his dog. That's YOU, righties. You'll waste that old hound and rationalize that he was too flea-bitten to live. Shame! herm

Why are more Americans who need major surgery leaving the U.S.?

Thats easy, it's cheaper. Sometimes by more than 50%. Depends on what you want done.

ts easy, it's cheaper.

Dental implants in San Antonio start at $1,800, not counting the crown. The crown is another #1,000, You can go to Nuevo Laredo, 3 hour drive away, and get them with crown for $500. I've heard of many people doing that. When you cross the border, there are several dental clinics lined up on the road right there.

#55 | Posted by goatman at 2010-02-03 11:18 PM

Goat it's only $500 because they remove a kidney while you are asleep...

Thanks for all the comments.

Just a note of warning for those who might get ceramic crowns. I have had two break and need to be replaced. One needed root canal redo....which is worse than getting one done originally imo.

Metal is much more durable, making it better and cheaper in the long run.

"why do people vote against their own self-interests?"

I'm not sure that's true. I think people may have a bigger definition of what counts as self-interest than the term implies.