Just Watched Sicko Last Night

[Serrart]

Hi HejiraNYc, sorry for answering after many days but my computer had a nervous breakdown ( who can't understand the poor machine ).
Rereading my message I had the impression the tone it came out quite aggressive, sorry also for that.

About the foreign doctors:
My point is what we call (no idea what the American expression is) brains' runaways. In other words, the emigration from many countries of high qualified doctors and other professionals, who studied in their homelands but hadn't the chance to find a job up to the par with their qualities. Obviously in a global society this is normal, and it's the reason why I think any form of compensation asked from America to other Countries is just absurd.

I don't understand your point here either. By "tearing Africa" I guess you are referring to the (blood) diamond trade, which is, oh yes, monopolized by a corrupt European cartel. And I guess you are not referring to the UK's relentless pursuit of empire, especially in India. But yes, all of the Western World is responsible for taking up an unfair share of the world's resources, but I'm not sure how that pertains to this issue.

I have never said Europe hasn't any faults, we have plenty actually, many more than those you spoke about. But none of the European Countries had a bigger influence on foreign policy than US. For instance, as far as I know, none of the European Countries constantly supported, politically and practically bloody dictatorships that eliminated dissent kidnapping, torturing, and throwing people out of the airplaines. But I could be wrong.

I guess it's tempting to think that America is full of savages based upon a "documentary" like "Sicko," but the real truth is that we do have Emergency Rooms, and everybody who presents with a life threatening injury or illness will receive treatment, regardless of whether they are insured or not, and regardless of whether they can pay or not. So that is the ultimate "safety net" for the uninsured. Unfortunately, for those who can afford to pay, it means that an overnight stay at the hospital costs $4000 and an aspirin pill costs $10; the cost to provide free medical care for the poor is essentially spread out to those who can pay.

What leaves me speachless is that you (meaning in general) are so accustomed to this system that find normal to pay 10 dollars for an aspirin. It's unethic, it's not fair, and it can't be true that it's a sacrifice necessary to pay the health care for the poor ones. We have public and free hospitals that cure millions of people (including the Pope) and we don't pay 10 dollars for an aspirin. I simply don't see why millions of people of your working class can't have the right to be cured properly (not only for life threating illnesses) if they aren't rich enough to pay an insurance.

Oh please... like the Europeans have been so noble and virtuous! America is certainly far from perfect, but I think non-Americans should hold up a mirror to themselves before they pass judgment. As an American, I do think we are going through a particularly ugly period in our history, but I also have faith that we will take our knocks and get through it better than before.

There's a misunderstanding here. Talking of American Empire I meant also Europe. We are your colonies, under many points of view, since when US Troops came in Europe to free us from gentlemen like Hitler and Mussolini (totally made in Europe products). It's just that now we see Constantinople ruled by a particularly corrupted and inept emperor. And that's not very reassuring.

Romy