The Ledge's Monthly Approval of President Obama-Do You Approve??? August 2009

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Just because I don't live there doesn't mean what I said wasn't in some way truthful. But, perhaps I should bow down to your superior healthcare, which seems to be the model which we should all strive for.

Nowhere have I said we have superior healthcare. I just don't like seeing incorrect information being spouted as if it were facts.

[Stew_Matthews]

It is funny that British people moan like hell about the NHS but once a few foreigners 'diss' it, they will defend it to the death. In the UK, BUPA (private system)is a far bettter service than the NHS - even the Brits on here wouldn't disagree with that.

The NHS is 60 years old and has changed little. I guess if you were starting out today and asking people to hand over 10% of their earning to pay for a state health service/pension (as Brits do in National Insurance) they would want something different and better. So those who argue in the US that the health care model needs to be better than the existing UK one are right, I think.

On the original question of Obama, my expectations were low and he is meeting them.

ps - I'm British!

[David]

Originally Posted by Gailh

What about education?

Luckily, education has nothing to do with our schools.

That's one big WHEW.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

It is funny that British people moan like hell about the NHS but once a few foreigners 'diss' it, they will defend it to the death. In the UK, BUPA (private system)is a far bettter service than the NHS - even the Brits on here wouldn't disagree with that.

The NHS is 60 years old and has changed little. I guess if you were starting out today and asking people to hand over 10% of their earning to pay for a state health service/pension (as Brits do in National Insurance) they would want something different and better. So those who argue in the US that the health care model needs to be better than the existing UK one are right, I think.

On the original question of Obama, my expectations were low and he is meeting them.

Your not wrong! I've never said its wonderful...far from it. I just don't like to see incorrect info posted. Touch wood I've only ever been in hospital three times, twice to have my kids and once for an ear op. I had no real complaints.

[David]

Originally Posted by carrie721

there's that indomitable libertarian spirit!

I'll have you know that both my dog & I, owing to our implant chips, can walk down any street feeling completely confident that, should either of us be picked up & perhaps impounded, we would be returned to our homes within probably three weeks.

Spiritual pragmatist that I am, I look a success story straight in the face & call it a success.

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

Your not wrong! I've never said its wonderful...far from it. I just don't like to see incorrect info posted. Touch wood I've only ever been in hospital three times, twice to have my kids and once for an ear op. I had no real complaints.

I wasn't having a go at you!

Although Brandon was making his points in a rather provocative way, he was right that the UK system is broken. Having said that, it is the best 'universal' healthcare system in the world. It just needs modernising and a recognition in the UK that healthcare needs to be a partnership between public and private providers. There are some interesting articles in the Times and Guardian about IVF this last week. When the NHS was created there was no demand for fertility treatments for example - medicine then didn't even understand the causes never mind solutions. As medicine and science moves forward, should the NHS be expected to pick up every single mediacl problem and fund the research and drugs. Probably not but in a public system, where do you draw the line? How do you determine priorites at a state level - my view is that you can't and the UK Regional Health Authorities prove that.

[David]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Well, I've never used Bupa so I personally don't know. I have however had plenty of experiences through the NHS and I have no complaints.

Weren't you telling me that they put the wrong kidney out of you or something?

Nice way to avoid the question David

I am against compulsory government schooling. It's nothing but a taxpayer-funded babysitting program -- for both children & certain adults.

To improve one's chances for education, you need only sit down in a quiet room with plenty of light & open a book -- by Bunyan or Walton or Plutarch or any of our brothers, long dead & rotting in the Earth -- & read the book, trying to understand it by considering every part of it in the light of your words & your deeds, & then consider your words & your deeds in the light of what the book says. Continue sifting & pondering it in the still watches of the night, until the cock crows.

You will have learned, finally, that you know practically nothing -- but like Socrates, like Doctor Faustus, you will have attained the wisdom of the ages in that one seemingly tiny revelation.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by carrie721

dude, come on.

It's something the UK-ers that live here say to the Kiwis to get 'em riled up. You ladies seem to miss most of my humour, I'm not surprised you missed that one.

[BigAl84]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

Roll your eyes all you like if it makes you feel better. But again I suggest you re-read you original post on this matter. You didn't appear to be posting an opinion but facts (incorrect for the most part) and you labeled people in support of the NHS as 'ignorant basically'

HOLY CRAP...let it go for crying out loud! Jezus....don't you have ANYTHING better spend your time on then driving this axe into the ground? Lighten up already...

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Dude, that was pages ago. Come on.

not only that but brandon has a frustrating pattern of saying stupid things and then pretending he didn't. it's not just this one discussion.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by carrie721

not only that but brandon has a frustrating pattern of saying stupid things and then pretending he didn't. it's not just this one discussion.

Yeah well, YOU'RE... stoopid. (in my best Chris Farley impersonation)

And oh, For the third time now:

I said earlier in post #16 in this thread:

Well i'm sorry if I offended you, that is never my intention, but I can't unsay something. So... I don't really know what else you want.

[David]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

I would be curious to know how many people in the US have health insurance and how many don't.

The more interesting question to me is how many people who want health insurance have it & how many who want it don't. I used to know a bunch of guys at work who turned down the employer-paid coverage because they preferred spending the $25 a week in paycheck deductions on electronics & beer & other things.

Interesting theories David Although you went off on a David-tangent I appreciate you answered it and you're at least consistent in your beliefs!

I just ... feel ... sick today.

[Cornflake Girl]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

Your not wrong! I've never said its wonderful...far from it. I just don't like to see incorrect info posted. Touch wood I've only ever been in hospital three times, twice to have my kids and once for an ear op. I had no real complaints.

Yep. I think most of the Brits posting have acknowledged that the NHS is not without flaws. Personally, I just feel grateful that, if I were ever to be struck by serious illness I would get a good standard of treatment. It's especially reassuring in these turbulent financial times, where very few people have a secure economic status.

Originally Posted by David

Luckily, education has nothing to do with our schools.

That's one big WHEW.

That is so, so true. To quote Bruce Springsteen, ''I learned more from a three minute record, than I ever did in school.''

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

I wasn't having a go at you!

I know

My sister in law had a terrible time with the NHS when in hospital to have her first child. She is pregnant with her second now and is going private

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by BigAl84

HOLY CRAP...let it go for crying out loud! Jezus....don't you have ANYTHING better spend your time on then driving this axe into the ground? Lighten up already...

Thanks for your valued input!