Banksia

And why wouldn't the clients pay for their cover, that's hardly a radical thought. After all it would be better cover and, if compulsory as it should be, subsidised by the healthy, including those who think they are bulletproof. And if you have a monopoly funder of health services, surely that funder has some leverage on pricing for services and meds.

US fuel taxes are a fraction of those in the rest of the world without bringing civilisation to a halt in those countries. After all, oil will be much more expensive one day. Probably soon. So there should be a capacity to pay. Something at least. There is a big debt caused by politicians who could no say no in the past and interest is ticking by the day.

Tom60

I'm aware other countries have higher fuel prices. So? What kind of argument is that? Enough is enough.

Tom60

Even though I drive a glorified golf cart that gets 50mpg, I still don't want to pay $6 per gallon, and neither does anyone else. Besides, they mismanage the revenue they do get.

Banksia

That's what everyone keep saying.

Bottom line is the nation, like many of its citizens, has been consuming more than it has been earning. So even if no new programs are introduced, an accounting is overdue and I have seen no one deny it.

Mr Micawber summed it up perfectly. Let me know if you don't know what he said.

cindyabs

Banksia- I am curious as to your preoccupation with the US. Itake it you are not an American and you don't live in the US.

Tom60

He's an Aussie with some sort of axe to grind with us, and the internet provides him with an outlet.

cindyabs

I don't believe in rush to judgements Tom, so that's why I asked. He may well be a US Expat living in OZ, a Brit who has lived in the US etc,etc. Hell, he could even be a Poly Sci prof. I'm just curious.

Tom60

Well, I could be wrong, but it's just that there seems to be a lot of axe grinding going on here. Which is OK, I guess this is the place to do it.

cindyabs

Well since the site IS a British Expats site, yes that would be the base. The Trailer Park was started as being specifically for the US based folk and their take on experiences living and working here-good, bad and indifferent.

fatbrit

I've not quite yet understood why you're here, Tom. Have you got any expat or British connection?

Tom60

Well, I made some Brit friends while stationed in Europe, I'm a member of a British military forum, I followed some links, and one thing led to another. I guess simple curiosity plays a role. Why?

fatbrit

So that's a no.

Tom60

What's it to you anyway?

Giantaxe

His views seem rather more constructive than many of the American citizens who post here about healthcare.

nettlebed

My guess, and it could be wrong, is that FB is trying to establish whether you have any experience that would allow you to make valid observations about Brits and Britain.

I'm sure he'll be along to correct me sometime soon if I am wrong...