Comments on: The Brady Report: Death Before Reform

By: psychosomatic

psychosomatic — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:32:31 +0000

whatliesbeneath – saying that in Canada half your money is taken for taxes is a gross exageration, unless your making well into the six figures and even then its not 50%. And you “reluctantly” admit that you like when country takes care of its citizens??? We take care of our own, for better or for worse, cost worried about later, no matter what our differences. This is what makes us a humane society. I hope you reluctantly agree with me.

Do you know that thousands of Americans die every year for no other reason except that they dont have healthcare? Yes, thousands of mothers and fathers and children – THOUSANDS. Do you know that some studies suggest nearly a milion Americans have died since 1950 ONLY because they couldn’t afford medical coverage? That’s messed up, that’s why I’m glad I’m not an American (amongst other reasons) and why I’m proud of my troubled, difficult to deal with system here in Canada. Just like my dysfunctional parents did throughout my chilhood, no matter how screwy things are at times, I know me, my wife and my children will be cared for – no matter what. Intellectualize that point all you want, it wont change.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:32:46 +0000

Did you honestly think there would be healthcare reform? Come on. Obama set the bar high only because he knew what would happen. He is nothing if not intelligent and I wouldn’t come him some idealistic bleeding heart either. He sold people on the idea of healthcare reform, knowing full well he would have to accept whatever legislation he could get. Youthful idealism will always lead to dissppointment and if some lawmakers get voted out, a whole pack of wannabees are waiting in the wings to replace them. Rage agaonst the machine, sure, but the machine keeps on running. This is why half the population doesnt even vote.

By: whatliesbeneath

whatliesbeneath — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:05:48 +0000

The health care system in Canada is a source of national pride yet experts and those working within the system often claim the medicare system is in a state of crisis.
The process took shape in 1950s/1960s but universal coverage regardless of employment, income or health was not guaranteed to all until the 1970s. So, it took awhile….and there is still a great deal of problems associated with this system but so what, anybody can go to the hospital or a clinic and get care. Sometimes the care is not that great, or one has to wait a very long time to access that care (depending on the problem) but still, care is accessible. So, medicare delivers a broadly acceptable level of healthcare but it depends what one wants from the health care system.

A Canadian tax-funded single payer model does restrict expenditure which is why Canada has explored private money to fill in some of the gaps but like the US, there is ideological opposition to the private “intruder” which is a load a crap in my view. Sustainability is key and most citizens have no idea, no matter how schooled they are, what it takes to manage Canada’s health care system.

Amy, I will say that I understand where you are coming from. I very much dislike that almost half of income is taken by the government to universal pension and employment insurance programs combined with Federal and Provincial taxes (and personal deductions like RSPs) but, I will reluctantly admit that I happy to do so if it means my fellow citizens are positively affected. However, I think sometimes Canada gets carried away on its constant need to supplement others, especially regarding social programs, whereby the hand is always “out”, expecting the government to solve all individual problems, but that is another story.

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:51:42 +0000

America is a country that provides opportunity for all but I for one do not want to be taxed like those in Canada in order to finance someone else’s hospital visits.

By: Spicer

Spicer — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:49:24 +0000

Obama cannot work magic, he cant even convince his own party to get on the same page. A paper tiger of reform is all that will happen in the end. Just like always. Obama is an idealist and a symbol and yes, just another politcian.

By: American Psycho

American Psycho — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:47:09 +0000

The overall American Psyche will not allow for a universal tax paid healthcare system to take place. No other other country, I feel, represents the Darwinian core of capitalism better than the United States. It’s in our nature as a society. There will never be a public option for healthcare. There never will be a UK or Canada style universal system of medical coverage. Never.

By: Kyle Brady: Blog - Relativity OnLine Syndication

Kyle Brady: Blog - Relativity OnLine Syndication — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:02:52 +0000

[...] being syndicated by Relativity OnLine, and the first one, along with a very gracious introduction, can be found here. They're calling it "The Brady Report".Self posts are about me (Kyle Brady), in one form or [...]