simongb

I said military spending. I didn't mean 'the war' in particular, just the way that the government spends like there's no tomorrow when it comes to guns and bombs.

guaporusty

[QUOTE=KJ2007;5156805]But do you think he personally reads and responds to his e-mail?

Most politicians in the U.S. have "interns" and "assistants" that answer mail. You shouldn't be on the person replying sharing the sentiments of the representative, but you can bet on the person replying wearing the right badge on election day.

Who knows - maybe he does. Utah is definitely a place of its own.

rookins26

From and American's perspective a form of Univeral Healthcare at some point in this country would be nice. I don't even expect it to be like the UK for instance but even just having major medical coverage be given...that would take a lot of stress off many families.

Just an example...we have insurance through my husband's work. A percentage comes out of every paycheck to pay the premium. When our son was born we had saved up some money ahead of time to pay the deductable and our anticipated co-insurance..which is 30%. Our son ended up in the neonatal ICU which of course we could not have anticipated. In the end with all the bills we received which were from my ob/gyn, the hospital for my labor, the NICU stay for our son, my epidural bill, and every single doctor who even looked at our son for 5 mins. After insurance paid their share we ended up paying about $7,000 in bills which took over a year to pay off and was the main reason I went back to work while our son was still an infant. That is with insurance...but we figured out what someone would have to pay without insurance and it would have been over $40,000. Sad to think about that..

Anyway just my thoughts..

Colette

Elvira

I'm very sorry to hear of your experience. Having to worry about $$$ at a time when your little baby is in intensive care must be extra distressing.

However, your post also provides a very pertinent illustration of differing attitudes towards healthcare. You say your case is "sad", and that "it would *nice* .........to have universal healthcare *at somepoint*..."

I think most Europeans would use MUCH stronger language. I for on consider it an outrage - quite obscene in fact - that there is no universal healthcare in the US.

I heard somewhere that Shrub has just recently vetoed a bill that would have mandated Universal healthcare for children. Is this true - does anyone have any information? (I feel a bit out of the loop ATM as I'm currently in London.)

rookins26

You are right I don't come off more strongly about it...I think because most Americans who want better healthcare feel like it will never happen? I know personally I feel powerless to change it...felt that way when I was fighting our insurance company to cover certain charges too. It just plain old SUCKS!

I hope that in 2008 the people will vote for a president that supports univeral health care. I think that will at least be a start toward having it someday.

Colette

Titchski

Linky to the NY Times Glorious Leader will veto Chidrens Heathcare bill.

Link to ABC News Even though the majority is "veto proof".

scrubbedexpat099

The spin and reality to be fair is a it different re this veto.

Elvira

Thanks.

And if I'm reading this correctly, even if this bill was adopted, it would only halve the number of uninsured children.

Thus still leaving 4 million children without health insurance.

WTF...

.

Titchski

Apparently their parents really do earn enough to buy health insurance, but they spend their money on frivoulous junk like food and accomodation instead, the heartless bastards

nxylas

Michael Moore's website has a page where you can send an e-mail to your congresscritter, senators and local paper with one click asking them to support John Conyers' bill mandating a universal healthcare system.

Ozzidoc

Local cops actually have some type of necklace/tag saying something like "DO NOT take me to MLK should I need emergency care".....for good reason I say. MLK lost their training accreditation recently-ish, so now they really are up **** without a paddle.

BigDavyG

I do, but he's still I twat.
The way he attacks corporate america does more to discredit the cause than bolster it in my opinion.
He should try to keep his other beliefs out of things if he wants to make headway.

Redlippie

Titchski

Should have put some sort of sarcastic looking smiley at the end of my post I guess

Redlippie

No, I was agreeing with it. Just pissed off.