Notes on life, art, photography and technology, by a Danish dropout bohemian.
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Saturday, July 14, 2007
Sick, Oh!
I just noticed that while the USA's health care system has put it at 37th on the World Health Organization's list, my home country Denmark is barely higher at 34th. And this is a country with some of the highest tax rates in the world. Sales tax is at 25%, a worker pays around 50%, and a manager can pay 68% in tax. And their health care system ranks at 34th? (UK ranks at 18, and they have about 30% less tax pressure.) For shame! It seems that socialized health care is not all that's needed to do it well. Don't ask me what is needed, though, I honestly thought Denmark was at the top, and they have no reason not to be that I know of.
The USA's health care system has put it at 37th on the World Health Organization.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't shock me. We've had this problem for decades. It's the greed here in America between the pharmaceutical companies and the distributing companies, drug reps, the middlemen.....Basic greed.
There are ways of fixing this but America thrives on greed and making monney. I see it constantly especially being the Chairman of our local Union.
By the way, I'm 47 today! Wow, enough candles to burn down a small city lol. Forget the gift card or polo shirt, I'd take a beautiful female in a warm and cozy queen size bed......dreams, sigh.
Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteU.S's health care system obviously sucks. But so does a number of other countries' (as Eolake points out).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michael Moore about the problem, but you gotta ask: is sosialism really the solution? I don't think so. It seems to me Moore makes a little too hasty conclusions about how to fix the problem.
The true solution? Get government out of health care entirely. Remove the regulations and other nonsense. This would allow people (including local communities) to figure it out for themselves, and cut big insurance companies out of the food chain. People in general want to help each other. It's only because the government puts all kinds of obstacles in our way to make it difficult to do so, that the greedy factions of society, such as insurance companies, get to manipulate the system in their favour.
Besides, the healthcare system in China is 4000 years old. If you travelled abroad to look for examples of alternative systems, it would seem to me you should start from China.
I'm not really criticising Moore here. There's only so much you can fit into one movie, and a simple message is obviously more effective. But I think someone should now pick the ball and show how to really fix healthcare -- in U.S. and elsewhere.
Happy Birthday, Terry!
You're living in a dream world, ttl.
ReplyDeleteanonymous moused: "You're living in a dream world, ttl."
ReplyDeleteCool.
50%, even 68%?? Which is ridiculous, indeed!!! Under these circumstances I'd be at the beneficial side of the system, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I'd call myself mad!
TTL might be right, it's been proved that regulation has a spoiling effect, but market and capitalism make things thrive.
"Under these circumstances I'd be at the beneficial side of the system"
ReplyDeleteThere you go.
I was, a couple of times. To try and make a go of my art. With mixed success.
The last time my productivity sucked, so I ended up taking a job anyway.
When I became successful, I moved out. For one thing I had debts to pay off, which would have been much more difficult to do under that tax pressure.
Wow, I had no idea the health system COULD be bad in Denmark.
ReplyDeleteTerry,
In 11 years, I'll be the same age as you. If you wait up for me, that is. ;-)
I say, as long as you can still blow all the candles without help, you're not too old.
P.S.: Terry, women with any sense will know that a man your age makes a great lover. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteThe young ones are most of the time hasty, inexperienced and selfish.
Pascal said...
ReplyDeleteP.S.: Terry, women with any sense will know that a man your age makes a great lover. Seriously.
The young ones are most of the time hasty, inexperienced and selfish.
Thank you Pascal :) You're such a true friend. And thanks Capt Eo and TTL. Appreciate your nice congrats also :)
Getting the government out of health care would not work at all. Canada's system definitely has it's flaws, but it's only because of government involvement that it works at all. Of course, they're the same ones who are trying to tear it down, but still... Anyone who knows anything about human nature should know that leaving it to people (including local communities) to figure it would not work.
ReplyDeletePascal said...
ReplyDeleteP.S.: Terry, women with any sense will know that a man your age makes a great lover. Seriously.
The young ones are most of the time hasty, inexperienced and selfish.
I agree with Mr Pascal, he's on cue. Normally he usually is. Wise beyond his years and quite the gentleman. I'm glad also he's my court jester! This man is worth his weight in gold.
Thank you, Sire. (bows)
ReplyDelete