Giantaxe

"As life expectancy is higher in the UK than the US they must be doing a piss-poor job of it then" is pretty much my standard reply.

robin1234

It seems to me that Americans who want to defend the US healthcare system can never really tell it like it is; namely, for the approx 80% of Americans who have adequate to excellent insurance coverage, services and outcomes are really good, probably among the best in the world. Stats such as life expectancy are pulled down to sub British/NHS levels by the substantial minority of Americans who have third world services available and die young.

dunroving

I thinnk this stems from propaganda in the US political arena about the NHS "death squads" (AKA the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, or NICE).

NICE produces evidence-based guidelines that are used to decide what the NHS will cover and what it won't (e.g., expensive drugs with minimal benefit because the condition affects very few people). This is a natural process when funds are limited - and even though no-one in the US system "decides" who lives and dies, the system probably results in more deaths than the NHS (because people simply can't afford coverage in the US). Unfortunately, the American populace seems in general unable to see beyond the simplistic rhetoric of their favorite politician.

sallysimmons

I would agree with part of this but I'd say for 40% of the people who have good to great insurance, outcomes are good. But there is a major chunk of the population that is terribly under-insured and those people die for lack of adequate coverage. They under-insured are almost as much of a problem as the uninsured and they're growing in numbers as employers cut back on benefits to save money.

The worst part is that most people who are under-insured have no idea until they get sick.

I do think expensive specialists are good in America (although they order way to many unnecessary tests and procedures) but GPs are much better in the UK.

Bud the Wiser

Is there really a growth in right wing radicalism or simply an opportunity to use rhetoric to oppose and make capital gain from the dissatisfaction of the state of the nation in general?

I feel that we are entering a period of one term governments, mainly due to the fact that the problems that we are facing are so huge that they will never be resolved in a four year term. And joe public is an impatient b'std, he wants his cake and he wants to eat it now. Ditto the UK.

Time will tell.

On the subject of health care: My opinion is that it is morally wrong to make excessive financial gain through other peoples misfortune. Unfortunately, money and morals rarely make good companions.

sallysimmons

Bud, do you live in America? Your tag doesn't say but I'm guessing not.

If you lived there, you'd know there is unquestionably a rise in right-wing radicalism. I do agree that there are also issues around voter ignorance and wanting to have someone do a quick and easy fix on problems that require long-term structural attention (no one in America would vote for politicians who told them the truth and therefore no one will tell them the truth).

But the sharp rise in death threats against the President and in activity within right-wing militias is testimonial to the very real rise in right-wing radicalism. Partly brought on by a black President but I think also by economic hardship. (Fascists never win when times are good).

Pendles

Yes! Get me the heck out of here!!
We've been here for 20 some years - I'm the Brit, hubby is USC. 2 school age kids. I cannot think of a time that I have ever experienced the hatred and real ugliness of what I think this next election is going to be. The wave of right wing extremeness sweeping the country is terrifying. The media here is awful and does a fantastic job of scaremongering without genuinely informing IMHO. Fox doesn't count in my book - bunch of nutters contributing to the uninformed, easily coerced.
Healthcare here is fantastic-IF you have good insurance and the money for the deductibles and the co-pays, which can run into the mega thousands though if you happen to get something bad. Funny how Romney who was once so proud of his plan in MA doesn't even mention it now that Obama was trying to model his healthcare reform after it.
We are running dual "escape routes" - one back to the UK and one to NZ. Sadly for us the UK route is harder with the new immigration rules, but we all love NZ so perhaps that will be our new home.
No place left on this planet in Utopia, but the fear and hatred simmering here is awful. I agree with one of the earlier posts about wanting to stay and fight the good fight, but after watching what they have done to Obama, I'm ready to jump ship and circle the family wagons. Sad, but there you have it.

WEBlue

I agree. There's usually a lot of talk leading up to an election, scare-mongering and threats of dire consequences if either side wins. It may be a more intense a battle this time, but nothing wrong with that. The US has always had some boring, decorous election fights & some real down-&-dirty contests.

Here's an overheated quote that could have come from this election campaign: "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" But it's Republican nominee Barry Goldwater in 1964. He was the scary crazy who advocated defoliating most of Vietnam in order to win the war there. BTW, when he died 4 years ago, he was worried about the rising power of religious fundamentalism in America.

I do agree again. The intractable problems the West is facing are not solvable in one term in either country & vengeance by the voting electorate is pretty well guaranteed. I'm hoping the present US incumbent will win, but it's not a sure thing by any means....

Englishmum

Yikes.....

I've just received a letter (no idea where they got my name and address) from Mitt Romney's campaign office which begins....

Dear (Englishmum)

I am running for President of the United States and because you are one of America's most notable Republicans, I want to personally let you know why.

It's simple really...... I believe in America.

It continues for four pages of blah, blah, blah. including underscored and highlighted statements eg. And like you, I am sick and tired of BIG GOVERNMENT.

Won't you please stand with me?

I don't apologize for America because I believe in America!

Of course it ends with a PS.

I believe that the principles that made America the leader of the world are the very principles that will keep America the leader of the world tomorrow. Please join my team today by sending your generous contribution of $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, or even the maximum $5000. Or you may contribue immediately online at http://www.mittromney.com

(It includes a non-stamped addressed envelope to send those contributions of course).

Grrrrrrrrr! I've only just become a US citizen (although the letter was dated a couple of days before I had my interview and test) and I'm bemused that I'm apparently 'one of America's most notable Republicans'. Not bloody likely.....

Mummy in the foothills

My son got that one!
I emailed him and asked if he wanted it, he just laughed.

salgb

I hear you - I just registered to vote so I can do the same!

Zen10

Great thread. I think many of you will enjoy this article

http://www.theamericanconservative.c...t-of-the-rich/

written by Mike Lofgren, a former GOP man. He mentions that when he objects to what is happening now he is called a socialist. Now, it tells you how far things have moved to the right when an American Republican is called a socialist if he objects to it.