If Congress were to take a vote on a health reform bill today, Democrats and Republicans would find a surprising level of agreement-so much so that the broad outlines of a consensus plan already are taking shape.
Sick or healthy, rich or poor, all Americans would be guaranteed access to health insurance.
In fact, they'd probably be required to purchase it-perhaps through mandates in the law that would include stiff tax penalties for anyone who tried to opt out.
Newly created insurance marketplaces would make finding a plan as easy as shopping for cheap airfare. People could keep their coverage, even if they switched jobs. And they might be able to choose between private insurers and a government-backed plan.
But here's the catch-none of this would come free, with the wealthiest Americans likely to face higher taxes to help pay for coverage for all.
It's hard to believe that only three months ago, health care advocates worried that President Barack Obama would drop the health reform issue from his first-year agenda. Now, with an August deadline to pass a bill, a compromise that once seemed unimaginable is considered quite possible, both sides say.
Specializes in He who hesitates is probably right....
As I mentioned before, I came over here on a wild whim. I had enjoyed traveling in my 20's and living in different countries. I had a sense of adventure, a "pioneer spirit" if you will and the desire to get as far away as possible from a destructive relationship. My RN license made it easy to get a job, H1A visa, green card and then citizenship.
I am unaware of any clause in the Constitution or Bill of Rights that states that I, as a taxpayer and naturalized citizen do not have the same right to voice my opinion as a citizen born on American soil.
From time to time I get a little homesick and get a yearning to go back, but I am no longer a free agent (wife, mother, homeowner).
Usually a trip back there to experience UK weather sets me straight -the LA weather has spoiled me and I can no longer tolerate rain for 3 weeks on end.
Nobody said you didn't have the same right of expression as any other citizen. I was just curious as to why you chose to live here seeing as there is so much wrong with the US (in your view, not ours).
Specializes in burn, geriatric, rehab, wound care, ER.
Nobody said you didn't have the same right of expression as any other citizen. I was just curious as to why you chose to live here seeing as there is so much wrong with the US (in your view, not ours).
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.
Our fellow nurse from the UK is a citizen. As American as I, who was born near the center of the contiguous 48 states.
Because I love my country I want to be part of working toward our values as stated in the Declaration of Independance.
I think it is wrong to allow preventable death by insurance company denial or lack of insurance. Or medical errors cause by lack of planning or unsafe staffing.
Juat as I do when a family member is not doing the right thing I cannot lie to myself and say we have the best healthcare in the worls so why work to improve it?
I agree, HM2Viking.... it is hypocritical to disparage this new govt entitlement program whilst holding your own hand out.
Let's d/c Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP AND the Public Option. Maintain tax-relief to beef up our charitable institutions to support those with true needs. Each person is responsible for his/her own needs. This system will work in America.
Um no thanks I don't care to live in Darfur......Communitarian societies tend to have a higher standard of living.....
Social Democracy is far more congruent with our constitutional system and values:
A mixed economy consisting of both private enterprise and publicly owned or subsidized programs of education, health care, child care and related social services for all citizens.
An extensive system of social security (although usually not to the extent advocated by socialists), with the stated goal of counteracting the effects of poverty and insuring the citizens against loss of income following illness, unemployment or retirement.
Government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the interests of workers and consumers by ensuring labor rights (i.e. supporting worker access to trade unions), consumer protections, and fair market competition.
Environmentalism and environmental protection laws; for example, funding for alternative energy resources and laws designed to combat global warming.
A value-added/progressive taxation system to fund government expenditures.
A secular and a socially progressive policy.
Immigration and multiculturalism.
Fair trade over free trade.
A foreign policy supporting the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and where possible, effective multilateralism.
Advocacy of social justice, human rights, social rights, civil rights and civil liberties.
Furthermore Democratic Administrations produce economically superior results:
Since 1900, Democratic presidents have produced a 12.3% annual return on the S&P 500, Republicans only 8%. Gross Domestic Product growth since 1930 is 5.4% for Democratic presidents and 1.6% for Republican presidents.
......
In six major criteria - GDP growth, per capita income growth, job creation, unemployment reduction, inflation reduction, and federal deficit reduction - for the ten post-World War II presidencies until Bush, there is a record to track the reality of Democratic versus Republican economic success. Democrats
Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" created robust economic expansion, first in both GDP and personal income growth. He also reduced unemployment from 5.3% to 3.4%. Economic growth remained robust through most of LBJ's presidency.
John F. Kennedy campaigned on the idea of getting America moving again, and he did. Under Kennedy, America entered its largest sustained expansion since WWII. GDP and personal income growth were second only to Johnson, all with minimal inflation. Contrary to Republican attempts to say Kennedy's tax cuts are like Bush's, Kennedy's were targeted at middle and lower incomes.
The economy added 10 million jobs under Jimmy Carter despite high inflation; Carter ranks first in job creation next to Clinton during just four years in office. Carter also reduced government spending as a percentage of GDP.
Harry Truman's second term saw the fastest GDP growth and the sharpest reduction in unemployment of any president surveyed (of course, FDR's post Hoover-depression New Deal jobs are first).
Thanks, laborer. Health insurance needs reformed. (I'd love to replace it with HSA's). But the Feds have proved they cannot manage our money -- only take it. Quite a conundrum.
interesting perspective, hm2viking. too lofty for me. give me 'the land of the free and the home of the brave'.
and i don't cotton to either democrat or republican -- so their respective track records are superfluous.
[color=#993300]"government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the interests of workers and consumers by ensuring labor rights....., etal" i'd trust that my maker could execute this -- but not the feds.
i'm curious how you came to this political philosophy. care to share?
Specializes in burn, geriatric, rehab, wound care, ER.
I guess you could add Bush and the Iraq war to that list. If only he had had information (there were no weapons of mass destruction) rather than misinformation (there were weapons of mass destruction) many lives would have been saved and the USA would not be facing bankruptcy.
I think you can draw a parallel with the healthcare crisis we face today. I just want everyone to be aware of the FACTS rather than give in to misinformation and paranoia. Is that too much too ask?
.thumb.gif.041bac93584716f6dc9882dcd8cf500a.gif){kind=small}
K98
453 Posts
Nobody said you didn't have the same right of expression as any other citizen. I was just curious as to why you chose to live here seeing as there is so much wrong with the US (in your view, not ours).