"I got mine - to hell with the rest of you!"

[hedgehog]

We need to make people recognize that that is an unpatriotic attitude. How can you love America and condemn x number of Americans to going without medical care?

I've heard this sentiment expressed as a demand that Medicare be unchanged. (funny about how all the concern over waste, fraud and abuse goes away when it's a Democratic President looking for savings). The other way this is expressed is the concern that if everyone has access to health care, I won't be able to see a doctor because the doctors will be overworked. The health bill addresses this by trying to give doctors more time with patients and less time on the phone to insurance companies as well as addressing the cost of medical training.

[Captain Hilts]

1. It's not the way the military community is trained to think. Adam Smith also would be horrified.

Smith's work was a reaction to the economic Darwinism of Thomas "nasty, brutish and short," Hobbes. The book written prior to Wealth of Nations is Theory of Moral Sentiments that talks about the common culture, etc. that needs to exist for a market to work.

Conservatives NEVER read Theory of Moral Sentiments.

[begin_within]

2. This thread's title would make a perfect campaign slogan for the Republicans.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. And there might even more doctors that go back into medicine,

and more new people that will be willing to go into medicine, knowing that the insurance nightmare bullshit and the need to schedule 20 hours of visits in 10 hours will be gone.

[gateley]

4. I think the people who feel that way have convinced themselves that it IS

patriotic (saving the country from becoming Socialist ::eyes:) and we're not going to change their minds. We who do feel that way, and accept it's our moral responsibility, need to let our elected reps know in no uncertain terms that we are demanding this.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. And they also say they are "good Christians"

This was the attitude I saw at a local town hall on health care--people cheering about health care not being a right, that everyone was on their own, etc, all the while wearing "Christian" tee shirts.

[gateley]

16. I know. Impressive. nt

[shanti]

5. unfortunately

i've heard this sentiment screeched several times. disgusting :(

[Toucano]

6. This is what throws me.

No one really has "got mine".

Do you remember the beginning of Moore`s "Sicko" when he explains something like "This movie is not about the millions of Americans without health insurance. It is about the millions WITH coverage".

Any one of those people who oppose Universal Coverage is merely a blood test away from being denied life saving treatment at the discretion of a corporate bean counter.

They try to say it is some moral failing that people get sick and can't pay for a doctor (like the poor drink up all the paycheck or something and don't think about paying the rent), yet it is THEY who are failing to prepare for a VERY PROBABLE life circumstance.

- You will get old (god willing).
- You will get sick.
- You will need health care.


- You may lose your job.
- You may have a special needs child.
- You may have an accident (like being hit by a drunken poor person).



In the case of health care, their mantra of personal responsibility is the most irresponsible position.


Like a row boat on the ocean, they`re fine. Until a storm comes along.

[Riley18]

19. Most of us have healthcare that is okay until we get really sick.

Then we find out how limited the coverage really is. Just this week I hurt my knee really bad and it swelled up like a balloon. I took an ambulance because I had no choice even though I know it will be a very expensive 5 minute ride. I never even saw a real doctor during the entire 4 hours in the ER. The ER will cost me $60 copay, and I wonder if I didn't see a doctor because of the type of insurance I have. The next day I had to call every Orthopedic Surgeon in the phone book until I found one who takes my insurance. At least I found a nice doctor so I can't complain there. I remember when my son was 11 and broke his femur. We didn't have insurance at the time, and the whole experience was pure hell. I wish President Obama would make an Executive Order suspending all healthcare for the Senate and Congress until all citizens have the same right as they enjoy. Be fun to watch droopy dog Lieberman try to explain why his healthcare cannot wait until after the recession is over.

[Riley18]

7. Totally agree with you because too many Americans do not get adequate care.

We can no longer allow these selfish people to think they should be proud to support preventing American children to go without healthcare. They are anti-American traitors who are no different than the Taliban. They seek to force decent Americans to accept their narrow minded, petty views. It really needs to stop before they actually get their way.

[area51]

22. +1 (n/t)

[elocs]

8. The Republican motto is YOYO (You're On Your Own). They are YOYOs.

As long as they have theirs, that is what is important. They are against any tax that does not in some way directly benefit them. Their concern for life begins at conception and ends at birth. YOYO does encompass their philosophy.

[BeHereNow]

9. Congressman Mike Rogers says so. Watch and PUKE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44NCvNDLfc&feature=player_embedded

The FUCK doesn't even have his percentages correct and yet
blithers on as though his word was gospel.

Fuck the retards who believe this crap without question.

BHN

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. It's not only unpatriotic, it's immoral

With the increase in world population, it is imperative we take the attitude of helping our fellow humans, or we are condemned to obliterating humanity, I think.

[Vinca]

11. If they opened up Medicare to everyone, it would be the best thing

for the continuation of Medicare. Throw some young, healthy people into the mix to balance the older people with more health problems and there will be more money in the system . . . assuming, of course, they put a lock box on it so it can't be raided when it's in surplus.

[create.peace]

12. from my son, who is nearly thirty, and is incredibly empathic.

'The health care debate is really about the fight to define what this country is about, and what it stands for. Are we socialist or capitalist? Do people deserve what they get, or should we help those who are in need? How are we going to define our humanity going forward? To help or not to help.'

[juno jones]

17. Well said.

For good or ill, this has become a watershed event. The kind of history that is palpably uncomfortable to live through.

I hope we choose to come down on the right side of this. We have in the past as a country, and that is what gives me hope.

[create.peace]

20. i raised him mostly in PT, WA, btw....now in PDXnt

[stray cat]

14. How much more are you personally willing to pay for health care to insure everyone?

I read in a NYtimes article that for a family making over 60,000 a year - inexpensive health insurance would be 12-15% of their income meaning at least $12,000 a year. My employer currently pays that bill for me. Am I willing to pick up that $12,000 a year to get health care reform if it came down to it - it would surely screw up my budget and really be a strain. How much are each of us willing to sacrifice to get health care reform?

[hedgehog]

21. You said it yourself, your employer currently pays that bill for you.

But what about next year, when the bill goes up 10%, and the year after that? How long will you go without a raise while your employer pays for group insurance? When does your employer give up and tell you you're on your own ?

[Quasimodem]

15. Apparently . . .

Denying fellow-Americans health care is patriotic.

Even more dumbfounding, it turns out that trying to assure all fellow-Americans health care is unchristian.

Don’t bother looking it up. You just have to take it on faith.

[damntexdem]

18. Then there's the Enron variation: "I got yours, and to hell with you."

And that what many of those saying "I got mine" really mean.