Justin Bieber On Health Care: U.S. System 'Evil'

[Zephie]

Justin Bieber has taken the United States by storm, but if he gets sick, he may find himself retreating back to Canada -- and not just for the home-cooked meals.

Bieber, a 16-year old popstar who was nominated for two Grammys and saw his bio movie make $30 million this weekend, covers the new issue of Rolling Stone. In addition to talking the usual trappings of fame -- the music, the tour stories, the girls -- the magazine asked him to wade a bit into the political waters. At least on one major issue, he already has a fully formed opinion.

Asked if he wanted to become an American citizen, Bieber made clear his love for Canada -- and its health care system.

"You guys are evil," he told the magazine, out on February 18th. "Canada's the best country in the world. We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills. My bodyguard's baby was premature, and now he has to pay for it. In Canada, if your baby's premature, he stays in the hospital as long as he needs to, and then you go home."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-takes-on-evil-us-health-care_n_823942.html

-----

I've always made fun of the little twerp, but I'm duly impressed that he came out and said that. I wonder how many Faux loving parents are going to destroy their little girls Bieber stuff over this?

[Joanne98]

1. GO BIEB!

[cali]

2. good on the biebs.

[SpiralHawk]

9. The Biebster !

[sasha031]

16. the young have allot of wisdom

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sasha031]

21. OH please, the young man was trying to say something!

[ProdigalJunkMail]

24. Something horribly uninformed

he will never experience a need for free healthcare...

sP

[WinkyDink]

32. How is he "uninformed"??

[ProdigalJunkMail]

41. He is a 16 year old over-privileged celebrity

who has probably never experienced a second of hardship in his life and yet people worship him and his opinion like he was a god or something. People who listen to twits like him and value his statements above those of others are fucking idiots.

sP

[Bluenorthwest]

61. That is silly. He was not born into celebrity.

The great majority of his life so far has been spent as just some kid, with regular people for parents. He is speaking about the system he and his family lived with for the 15 years before he was well known, and also the system he has come to see first hand due to working in America. No one said his statement was 'valued above all others' just that it is of value as he lives and works on both sides.
How would you know his past life? Or hardships? Why do you think young people should not speak their minds about what they observe? I mean, you do dig that he paid the bodyguard's bill, don't you? 16 and covering bills for adult marrieds.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

62. His statement is so valued over others that it makes it into

major publications and gets posted here on DU like it is the fucking holy grail. He is a 16 year old kid...16 year old kids generally don't know shit and THIS 16 year old kid seems to know even less...

sP

[Bluenorthwest]

65. He's a major show biz entity. Speaking to his fans.

He is interviewed in a music magazine, a publication that has covered virtually every pop or rock act since it started publishing. The magazine exists because of people like Beiber. It is not a news or policy magazine, it is a music magazine.
He is speaking his mind to those who care to listen, most of whom are 13. He is proud of his own country and not impressed with our health care system. How awful.
16 year old kids don't generally make millions, nor do they generally have a staff of employees whose concerns they take to heart.
I find it very interesting that you have not said a single word about your area of disagreement with Beiber. You simply call him a stupid kid, again and again. Well, actually you call all young people stupid. But you do not seem to have an actual policy point to make, which the mop top does. You take issue with him, rather than countering what he says. Generally, I do not give much credit to those who seek to tarnish the speaker rather than addressing the thing said.
I agree with Justin Beiber on this issue, totally and absolutely. When I was young and had the same fucking hair, I was often right about things too. Yes I was. Weren't you?

[HuckleB]

81. So this is marketing.

Got it.

[LadyHawkAZ]

154. +1

[akbacchus_BC]

222. Really, and then his fans messed up E Spaulding wiki page after

she got the grammy for best new artist. Spare me!

[HuckleB]

224. That was despicable, but it's not Bieber's fault.

Heck, his handlers made sure that he congratulated Esperanza backstage, in front of the cameras.

[eilen]

249. He is a stupid kid. This OP cherrypicked one sentence. You should read the rest of the interview

http://jezebel.com/#!5762258/6-reasons-justin-bieber-is-qualified-to-talk-about-abortion


6 Reasons Justin Bieber Is Qualified To Talk About Abortion
Anna North — In an interview with Rolling Stone, Justin Bieber said, "I really don't believe in abortion. It's like killing a baby?" Asked about cases of rape, he added, "Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason." Why is Bieber qualified to talk about these issues? We're so glad you asked!

He is a geopolitical expert.

Also in the Rolling Stone interview, Bieber said he wasn't yet affiliated with a political party: "I'm not sure about the parties. But whatever they have in Korea, that's bad."

[Name removed]

102. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[superduperfarleft]

118. Like the fact that abortion is killing a baby?

That's true and helpful?

"Hater" :rofl:

Seriously, anyone who is over 15 and still gives a shit about the Beebs or what he has to say about anything is clearly emotionally stunted.

[theaocp]

125. Disagree with him about that

What did he say that was incorrect about the Canadian vs. US health care systems? As I said, I don't care about him, but I couldn't care less if a fucking 4-year-old said our system sucks in comparison. What's your issue? Baby goes out with the bathwater?

[superduperfarleft]

132. My issue is that Justin Bieber is a tween pop star, and I don't understand why everyone is making

such a big deal out of one line out of an entire interview. Who gives a shit whether Teh Beebs agrees with "us" or not? Who else should we get an opinion from, Lady Gaga? Or maybe one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills? How about Paris Hilton, what does she think of the important issues of the day?

[theaocp]

134. Actually, Lady GaGa

had a great take on DADT, as I recall and was showed accolades for it, too. Good for her. People mocked Britney Spears when she gum-smacked about how much we should bow and scrape before W and she deserved that, too. If a puke does something good for society, should I deride them b/c they're a puke? I think of it this way: even blind squirrels are allowed to find nuts every now and then. Feel free to dislike the celeb worship or Bieber personally, but his message about health care comparisons sounded good to me. I hope he says it a whole lot more. Pikers will pay more attention to him saying it than me. Cheers.

[tpsbmam]

196. Lady gaga et al., reach people who others don't reach.

I think it's good and I've never heard of the kid. I'm happy to hear a kid like this say that because a) he's a 16 yo kid who's paying attention and not afraid to offer an opinion and b)I know he'll reach kids who might not otherwise hear the truth. They're only 16, you say, so what? Among the reasons I can think of is this: it might, just might challenge the ideas being drummed into their heads by parents, etc.

I don't know how old you are. I'm in my 50's. The rock stars who got involved in the Vietnam anti-war movement had a huge impact and reached many more kids than would otherwise have gotten involved. I had liberal parents who were against the war but many of my friends had conservative parents. Of those, about 3/4 were anti-war when their parents still supported it. And they were reached through their social networks but, just as important, by the "celebrities" they were listening to.

[superduperfarleft]

228. Well, let's certainly hope that this kid's fucked up views on abortion and rape

don't "challenge the ideas being drummed into their heads by parents, etc."

[ProdigalJunkMail]

145. Yeah...his positions on rape, Korea and abortions

are worthy of me shutting the fuck up. Perhaps you might realize that this is a discussion board and telling people you don't agree with to STFU isn't going to get you anywhere...

sP

[pulledpork]

129. So it's not evil to profit from someone else's illness?

Disagree with Bieber all you want (even if overreactive in its vehemence), but can you argue that there is not something inherently evil about the "richest nation on earth" allowing its citizens to go broke because they cannot afford health care? That doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and medical supply companies make money hand over fist while premiums for middle-class families are upwards of $500-$1000 a month even if employers chip in?

Are you so blinded by your contempt for youth and/or celebrity that you cannot see there is some validity to his points?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

146. way to totally miss the point of the discussion

never said I disagree with him on the Canadian health care bit (but maybe you don't disagree with his stated positions on abortion, Korea and rape)...

sP

[Jennicut]

149. He is a celebrity. They all get listened to because most everyone knows who they are.

[Name removed]

187. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tunkamerica]

240. you may not like the machine that gave him voice, but you can't disagree with the sentiment

[Roy Rolling]

253. maybe he is just a 16-year old pampered entertainer...

...but even a broken clock is right twice a day and his healthcare observations are accurate.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

260. yep, got no issue with that portion of his statement... n/t

[K8-EEE]

130. Good for him!! And he will get a lot of shit for it too. nt

[Moral_Imagination]

161. This makes his stance more impressive...not less n/t

[Horse with no Name]

189. Okay. Let me interject here

He is the son of a young single mother. His Dad left when he was 10 months old.
They had pretty hard times before he "hit it big".
He is a good kid. He knows what hard times are.

[trumad]

42. And either will Sean Penn...

So I guess Sean should just head home from Haiti because he's rich..

Your post is ridiculous.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

47. Yep, you're right of course...

Justin Bieber is the font of all knowledge and wisdom due to his 16 years as a privileged white boy singing bad songs in a voice that will fail him soon...

He is a fucking uninformed twit. At least Sean Penn has gotten into the world and used what he has learned in his YEARS OF LIFE to make a difference. Bieber is 16 and knows nothing...

That is the point...

sP

[Bluenorthwest]

63. Sean's Dad was a legend in the film biz, and Sean strolled in

because of that. Never had a day's worry. Not about money. Lots of other worries however.
You do understand that Beiber's audience, to whom he is speaking, is 13 and lives in suburbia, and this is their first lesson in the fact of our system, right? That thousands of young people now have a clear picture of the truth? He's not addressing the UN. He's talking to his peers and fan base.

[sufrommich]

64. "That thousands of young people

now have a clear picture of the truth?" Like abortion = baby killing?

[Bluenorthwest]

66. What a creepy verbal trick that is.

We are talking about his opinion on heath care here and in Canada. To imply that I agree with other things the kid says because he's right about that, which is the subject at hand, is disgustingly dishonest.
You want my opinion on choice, well, I spent my younger days at clinic defenses, and took considerable personal heat for that position. And for those actions. So my standing is what it is. Very offensive game you play. Very.

[sufrommich]

72. What? I'm not implying anything of a sort.

Here's your quote:

"That thousands of young people now have a clear picture of the truth? He's not addressing the UN. He's talking to his peers and fan base."

If you're going to make blanket comments about Beiber giving young people a clear picture of truth, don't cherry pick what version of truth he's bestowing on his fanbase.

[Bluenorthwest]

78. We are talking about a single opinion held by a pop star

He does not have a platform, nor a set of policy. He's some guy with opinions. He gave a clear picture of the truth about health care. That was not a blanket statement. It was about the subject at hand, not the one interjected by people whom I assume oppose single payer healthcare. Which is the subject of the thread. Your game is intellectually vapid.

[Name removed]

103. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

165. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Erose999]

110. He might when his career tanks and he's on skid row like every other child star or talentless hack

who only got 15 minutes. Look at MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, Gary Coleman, etc. Once he's lost whatever it is thats behind his fame he'll be a regular schmuck with a day job.

[Swede]

116. Except he earned $100 million last year.

That he can't touch til he's 18.

[Erose999]

131. Pretty sure MC Hammer had a $100 million fortune at one time too.

Granted, he spent it pretty foolishly.

[WatsonT]

156. 18 year olds

are responsible with money?

Obviously it's speculation but I see him broke and on VH1 in not too long.

[riverbendviewgal]

172. EXCUSE ME! I beg your pardon.

My son was not sick at all but a week before his 25th birthday he had seizures...3 days later he was getting brain surgery...
He died at 26, the year he was to get married. He had 3 brain surgeries, radiation, chemo, counseling, emergency room treatments, blood transfusions, 6 weeks in intensive care, 1 week in semi intensive care, 1 week in palliative care = in the hospital. He had GlioBlastma Multiforme brain tumor.

His dad was diagnosed 2 months after our son was diagnosed . He had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He had surgery, several types of chemo, radiation, stem cell transplant, and 3 months of palliative care in the hospital.. He died a year and half after our son.

our costs for All their health care. ZERO

Our government also gave me $2500 for each of them toward their funerals.


You can be healthy all your life and get suddenly ill..

Justine Beiber makes me proud to be Canadian..

BTW, I am American born....but became a Canadian...and have no regrets at all.

[barbtries]

245. riverbend

:hug:
i'm so sorry for such tragedy hitting your family like that.

[tomg]

204. You are right.

He will never experience the need for it. But that is because he has free healthcare already. He's a Canadian. And if he gets 437,000 13 year old girls in the US ( and I am probably low on the numbers) to start thinking that they should get it also, good.

[Canuckistanian]

210. Umm.....

Maybe, just MAYBE he was thinking about somebody OTHER than himself?

I know, it's a radical concept in America.....

[Name removed]

211. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tunkamerica]

239. Just like I will hopefully never experience rape and therefore cannot speak out against it

does one have to experience injustice to fight against it?

[Control-Z]

162. He was,

like abortion is like killing babies!! He's doing great things for the girls of his generation. Lucky girls.

[theophilus]

109. I disagree with you and think that you are being way too harsh, imo.

Truth is truth no matter where you find it. I believe J.B. speaks the truth on this and many who were young stars later needed all kinds of health care and were certainly no longer rich. You do not seem to project liberal views or values. It makes me sad.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

144. Yeah...his positions on rape, Korea and abortions

are all things YOU would agree with, I guess? And to be honest, I am more disappointed in a world that pays attention to the semi-lucid ramblings of a teeny-bopper pop star...that makes ME sad.

sP

[sabrina 1]

233. Well, in this case, it appears the kid knows some facts about

this particular issue, and people who deny facts just because they don't like the source, are nothing but fact-deniers!

Go Beiber. Never paid much attention to teen idols but maybe Canada's teens are a bit more sophisticated and informed than ours.

Let Rush, O'Reilly and Hannity try to contradict that endorsement of Canada's health care system with their usual lies about other countries that have good, humane social programs for their citizens.

[WatsonT]

51. Ha!

No, they don't.

Read the rest of the article, particularly the bits about abortion, if you're still confident about his 'youthful wisdom'.

[superduperfarleft]

121. Read the whole article? But it's like a whole five paragraphs! n/t

[WatsonT]

186. I wish ever article could be presented in the form of tweets

beyond 140 characters I tend to . . . hey what's that?!?!?

[xchrom]

3. my props to justin. nt

[RockaFowler]

4. Yeah for Bieber!!

OK, maybe I might like his music now

[tanyev]

5. Breaking...Fox News announces right-wing boycott of Justin Bieber.

All true America-loving patriots must comply.




:rofl:

[kenny blankenship]

15. You know they are cooking up their headlines now: Bieber calls United States "Evil"

Fox News' resident disciplinarian Bill O'Reilly is going to bend Justin over his knee for a little fatherly spanking - strictly metaphorically of course (although he may resort to a loofah for some portion of his punishment).

And I guess Beck will deduce Bieber's adherence to Islamic-Nazi-Communism through his hairstyle, "the same haircut Lenin had when Lenin had hair - THE SAME!"

Fox'n'Friends' Greta Carlson and Steve Douchey will share a laugh and the benefit of their historical education with their audience, "We're evil? The Canadian boy thinks we're evil? That's rich coming from the same country that gassed six million Jews and killed all the Armenians."

[ProdigalJunkMail]

22. Um...read the quote...he did call us evil...

not the system.

sP

[kenny blankenship]

28. I did read the whole thing, sounds like a teenager. I am not surprised

at the way a teenager expresses himself. I am surprised at you.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

35. He's a twit...

the only reason he is given ANY play is that he is rich and pretty...people paying attention to the ramblings of people like him are one of the biggest problems we have here in this celebutwit worshiping country!

sP

[Arugula Latte]

112. He was spot-on with what he said, though.

He may be rich and pretty, but he was absolutely correct. You've got to give him that.

[Tunkamerica]

242. ...

[CLANG]

180. He prefers falafels to loofahs.

[RandomKoolzip]

6. Yeah, but did you read the rest of it?

"Abortion? That's, like, killing a baby?" Oh, and read his quote on Korea. Just cuz he said ONE smart thing, it doesn't make him smart.

[laundry_queen]

19. I think that

in Canada, our health care system is so important to us that I'm not surprised at all that he said what he did about it. The more us Canadians get exposed to American horror stories via the internet (I have met many Americans thanks to the internet) or IRL, the more adamant we get about our system being one of the best universal systems in the world. And he's been exposed to a lot of Americans. As for the rest, I wouldn't take too much of what he said too seriously, he's a teenager. I have a teenager. As a teenager, my parents' views were my views, I think he has yet to become his own person and form his own views. The healthcare system comment is simply because he has been exposed to the Canadian health care system and sees the carnage of the American system. Any American who came to Canada and saw how our system worked would change their mind in short order, unless they are hacks making money off of the current American system.

[Canuckistanian]

212. Couldn't have said it better myself

:thumbsup:

[Myrina]

182. +1Mil

.... the boy's an idiot and luckily, one decent sentence came out of his mouth before the tribble took over.

[tpsbmam]

197. I didn't until I saw your post.

Opinion definitely changed after reading the whole thing. A little peeved that the abortion etc stuff wasn't also posted.

[Iggo]

7. Dammit!

Good on ya, kid.

:applause:

[raccoon]

73. +100! nt

[Control-Z]

163. He also says abortion

is like killing babies.

[REP]

167. But he's so cuuuute and dreamy and hates US healthcare! Nothing else matters!

:sarcasm:

[Control-Z]

171. True, true,

and true. My daughter, at 13 felt the exact same way - except the part about abortion, and healthcare (she wasn't all that informed about healthcare at 13), and the republican party, and...Well actually, she was nothing like him. But she thought Canadians were cool, eh?

And, as informed as she really was for a 13 YO, no one gave a damn what she thought about any of it except her friends and her family. Possibly a few of her teachers.

[Iggo]

246. Yes, I heard.

Even so, credit where credit is due.

[Control-Z]

262. He's a little kid

with no particularly outstanding talent. He's nice looking and can sing and has been made into to a boy star. By 16 I would expect him to be a little better informed. You're right,though. He got one thing right. *credit*

[SpiralHawk]

8. Wise beyond his years.

Apparently immune to Republicon, Inc. lies & propaganda. Fangirls gonna MEDITATE on this fer sure...

[WatsonT]

20. About that . . .

""I really don't believe in abortion. It's like killing a baby?" And as for extenuating circumstances, such as rape? "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."

The stance should come as no surprise, as Bieber was raised by a very religious born-again Christian mother, Pattie Mallette, and has not been afraid to share his beliefs with fans."



-------------------

Being a 13 year old popstar apparently doesn't make you wise or worldly or a font of wisdom.

He's a kid, who is famous for being able to sing. Neither of those things translate necessarily to being politically astute.

[REP]

173. He thinks abortion kills babies. That's republican propaganda, and most 13 years olds know better

[Myrina]

183. Bzzzt. Wrong answer. But thanks for playing.

n/t

[Nye Bevan]

10. People who have grown up under a humane health care system

are generally shocked when they find out how it works (or I should say, fails) in the USA. People who happen to get cancer have enough to worry about without wondering how they are going to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for chemotherapy. People do not appreciate Obama enough for fixing this.

[w4rma]

177. Obama didn't FIX this. This system is NOT fixed. (nt)

[Safetykitten]

11. Wow. Very good!

[mmonk]

12. Watch out Justin.

They will come after you.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

13. Regarding the opinion of an over-indulged and super privileged 16 year old

is shit. He's a twit. And just because he thinks the Canadian health system is 'awesome' doesn't mean he's right (or wrong). Why do people listen to these people like they are champions of the poor? These people (celebrities as a whole) are all about making money and living the lifestyle afforded them by their status. Their opinion is generally less informed than that of someone working three jobs to keep their heads above water...

sP

[WinkyDink]

39. Is he wrong, or is he not?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

50. In half of what he says in the article, yes, he is.

My problem is not with what he said about the Canadian health system. My problem is that people pay attention to him. He's 16 and hasn't learned thing one about the world...even this statement is not out of knowledge, rather it is out of belief.

sP

[WatsonT]

54. Um . . clearly you are the one who is misinformed

He can sing! He is a talented and successful entertainer.

Only a moron would think that doesn't immediately translate to being politically informed and an expert on health care.

Just like Jenny McCarthys breasts make her a superb medical researcher.

:sarcasm:

[Bluenorthwest]

77. You are calling people morons?

Your tactics are revolting. Who but you said he was an expert, or even informed? He has an opinion, and calling him or me names or talking about other people's body parts does not address the opinion being discussed. His age and his occupation does not disallow him opinions.
So you are just slandering randomly. Not even bothering to say how you disagree with him about health care. Shouting moron and child. Because you are the mature one.

[WatsonT]

122. Who called anyone a moron?

I understand that some people don't get sarcasm, that's what the tag was for.

And a great many people are calling him wise or informed or otherwise cheering him on.

BTW: you didn't happen to read the whole article did you? See what he says about those 'parties' in North Korea or abortion even in the case of rape.

[WatsonT]

133. BTW

the reference to 'body parts' was to point out that the only reason anyone listens to her in the first place is because she looks good naked. If it weren't for that she'd be a nobody.

Nothing wrong with that but it hardly lends weight to their arguments.

[REP]

175. You are SO right!! We should listen to what teenage singers ramble on about!

They're so deep and stuff! I'm no moron - because he disses the US healthcare system in such a cool way, that makes his well-thought-out opinions about rape and abortion like totally logical! I'm on board now and anyone who isn't is just a hater who hates children and music and love and stuff.



(I agree with you)

[WatsonT]

185. Thanks

I'm glad someone got it.

(I even used the 'sarcasm' tag. . . sheesh).

[hughee99]

142. Amen!

Why do we listen to the over-indulged and super-privileged of the world! Why the fuck does anyone care what Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Danny Glover, Harry Belafonte, George Clooney, Mike Farrell and Ed Begley Jr. think? (did I get enough of the RW bogeymen?)

For that matter, Al Gore has never worked 3 jobs to keep his head above water, so why the fuck would anyone listen to him either.

I realize you're not going after his opinion specifically, your issue just seems to be that he gets to air his opinions more publicly than most people, and that he's too young to have an opinion that anyone should listen to. Just curious, what is the minimum age to have a relevant opinion?

[NashVegas]

195. Many Young Americans Learned About US Crimes in Latin America From the Clash

and other punk bands.

So what's your problem?

[HuckleB]

223. You're comparing Joe Strummer, Mick Jones and company to Justin Bieber?

The Clash actually knew what was happening in the world, and they lived actual poverty. Bieber doesn't seem to realize that Korea is divided, and he doesn't have much to say about any of these issues, when it comes down to it, despite all the coaching.

[sufrommich]

14. Unrec, because 200+ recs for Charlie Sheen's thoughts on

Egypt was enough.

[cbdo2007]

17. Wow, glad everything is free for everyone in Canada. That must be great!

They don't ever have to pay for anything ever!!

ha ha, I don't think he quite understands how the system works.

[laundry_queen]

23. Let's get all nitpicky

Yes, we pay a bit more taxes (Although it's not as much more as you think) and yes, some provinces have healthcare premiums (the max I've heard of is $130/month for a family of 4 - my province doesn't have premiums). Most provinces also don't have prescription/dental or eyeglass coverage, that's through private insurance. But if we break a bone and go to the ER, it's free at the point of service.

But go ahead, be nitpicky and miss the point entirely.

[cbdo2007]

27. I didn't miss the point....he's a 16 year old kid. THAT's the point!!

[WinkyDink]

34. You are sadly wrong. His words are the point. The truth is the point. Sometimes youth teaches the

elders.

[sufrommich]

55. He believes abortion = killing babies. nt

[Name removed]

68. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Raksha]

83. No, that's NOT the point. The point is that he's RIGHT!

Not about everything, obviously. He *IS* a sixteen-year-old kid, after all. But he's right about the Canadian vs. American health care system. Your focus on the fact that he's a 16-year-old pop star is a lame and obvious look-over-there ploy. I really don't know who you think you're kidding.

[superduperfarleft]

29. Oh, you're still here? n/t

[JoePhilly]

40. Bwahahahaha ....

[superduperfarleft]

43. Did you notice that he moved, too? n/t

[cbdo2007]

44. Is there some reason I should go?

[superduperfarleft]

48. Yeah, quite a few.

Clearly TPTB disagree with me, but you should realize that some of us have long memories when it comes to rape apologists.

[cbdo2007]

49. That's fine....

everyone doesn't have to agree with me either. That's the point of this whole thing. and I'm glad they don't just go around kicking off everyone someone complains about.

Good luck to you!

[WinkyDink]

33. You seem to be the illogical one here.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cbdo2007]

59. extremely wealthy Canadians at that!

[Lorien]

70. if you want to work in the entertainment industry, then you have to move to L.A

or NYC. Millions have moved from homes that they love for work or to pursue a dream. It means that their dream is more important to them than their address. Most friends of mine in the film industry would move in a heartbeat if they could do the same work elsewhere.

[Raksha]

91. America has a lot of things going for it, or at least it used to.

Our so-called "health care system" just isn't one of them.

[laundry_queen]

181. Yeah, it reveres rich people.

Which is why our rich move to the US.

[WatsonT]

188. I've noticed that

considering how many people have given leave to their senses due to a recent bout with bieber-fever.

"OMG he's famous! He must know about the intricacies of national health insurance! Also forget that bit he said about abortion."

[SOS]

71. Not free, half the cost

Canada spends $3,900 per person/year on health care.
The US spends $8,000.

Imagine how much better off citizens, businesses and the government would be
if we could cut these outrageous expenditures in half.

[mmonk]

152. It's a lot cheaper and a Canadian doesn't die every 12 seconds from lack of access.

[riverbendviewgal]

178. Yep I pay taxes

made under 70 k. I paid 21 percent, federal and provincial. I figure I get my money's worth.
I am retired. When I turn 65 all my prescriptions will be 2 bucks with a 100 annual fee..
I pay 1600 bucks a year for supplemental insurance that covers prescription drugs, hearing aid, eye exam and glasses, dental and massages, semi private hospital , ambulance and I can deduct that on my income taxes.
We pay 13 percent sales tax..in Ontario
We have put a deposit on our beer and liquor bottles and when we return them we get them back.

[akbacchus_BC]

215. It is not free, contrary to what you want to believe in. Takes a fucking

year to see a specialist here and we have quacks working in remote islands. The Harper Govt and the Campbell govt. reduced us to third world level of care, not that some third world countries do not have better health care. Here in Canada, we are emulating the US, mega bucks for the corporations!

[laundry_queen]

227. Bullshit

I just moved from BC last year. I was in a remote area up north and then in a not-so-remote-but-still-north area. I now live in Alberta, in a large city. The care in BC is excellent. I have not heard of people waiting for a year to see a specialist. The system helps my (soon to be ex) FIL with his home dialysis, pays for the machine, the training he needed to take to use it, and numerous other expenses. He never had to wait a year to see all of his various specialists. I've seen many specialists, as have my children and I think my longest wait was 6 weeks for a totally minor issue. Last year I had gallbladder surgery within 3 weeks of my first attack. (2 weeks after seeing the specialist which was 1 week after my first ER visit). I would pick that care anyday over having next-day surgery and paying $30000 out of pocket for it.

Your assertion that it is third world level care is total hyperbole. I will agree with some politicians trying to emulate the US, but look at here in Alberta - they tried and tried and there was the odd private clinic that popped up here and there but for the most part, that has been rejected and now we don't even have monthly premiums. I'm not as impressed with the level of care here as I was in BC but that could be a function of small town VS big city more than BC vs Alberta.

[truebrit71]

25. Well, well...he's still a smug little git, but at least he seems to be aware of real issues...

...interesting...

[WinkyDink]

36. What makes you say he's smug? Evidence?

[trumad]

46. Probably because he dared say something bad about our glorious country...

You know those American Exceptionalists....

[truebrit71]

104. ..'cept I'm British and (as far as I know) he hasn't said a thing about the Brits...

...

[truebrit71]

101. Um, it's fairly self-evident...

..he obviously thinks his shit doesn't stink..hence my suprise that he gives a shit about anyone other than himself...

You disagree apparently, to each their own...

[HuckleB]

96. I don't know if he is smug, but he doesn't to be aware of much.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-says-you-got-raped-for-a-reason-ladies/

[DirkGently]

26. From the mouths of Biebs

[FlyByNight]

30. Good for him

Calling the US health care system "evil" is an insult to evil people.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

31. Justin Bieber is right! Wait....wha????

Words I never thought I'd say.

[superduperfarleft]

37. ""I'm not sure about the parties," he said. "But whatever they have in Korea, that's bad.""

Look, I'm not going to call a 16-year-old an idiot because he says stupid things like this, but really, if this is the depth of his political knowledge, I could care less what he has to say about anything, whether he agrees with me or not.

And clearly he doesn't: "I really don't believe in abortion. It's like killing a baby?" :eyes:

[WatsonT]

58. And apparently rape happens for a reason

But it is kinda sad.

[rainbow4321]

94. And his "everything happens for a reason"

When asked about rape victims getting abortions:


Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."

[WatsonT]

120. I wonder

did he go from being an enlightened genius to a rightwing idiot within a span of a few minutes?

Or is he just a kid whose opinions don't matter much?

Seems many on here are ready to canonize him for the first bit and completely ignore the rest.

[Horse with no Name]

191. I think you are being overly critical

I doubt very seriously he has knowledge of abortion, Korea, etc. I am pretty sure (like other 16 year olds) his opinion is more of the opinions of the folks around him.
However, as a consumer of healthcare--he is able to see that first hand and seems to have an up-front opinion of that.
His prior opinions might change as he grows up--I doubt his stance on healthcare will.
But, I could be wrong.
Personally, I like seeing social consciousness in young people--and even though he seems a little misguided, he has time to grow up and I don't think he will be applying for an ambassadorship in Korea anytime soon.

[WatsonT]

229. Seems like a double standard

"His opinion on things where I agree with him is right, his opinion on things that I disagree with him on are still developing and mean nothing".

And he isn't on public healthcare no matter what country he's in. He has the money that he will be getting healthcare you and I can just dream of. So his opinion is not based on reality.

[Horse with no Name]

232. Seems like you don't know kids

Generally speaking because I do not know him personally, but generally kids will have stronger feelings for things they have personal experience with. He has had quite a few throat problems so I do know he has had contact into both healthcare systems. Those are generally the traits they carry with them through to adulthood, so you would tend to lend a little more credibility to these types of statements in kids this age than mere opinions. They are ingrained. I have a granddaughter who wants to marry Justin Bieber and I took her to his movie...so I actually know a little more about Justin Bieber than some of the folks speaking about this--and really, more than I wanted to know.

The other social issues--and make no mistake, abortion is sacred to me, but I really don't lend any credence in his answer--because he has no life experience, he is simply going to parrot the views of those around him. That's what kids do. He has actually lived a pretty sheltered life and his mom is fairly religious. His answer on this doesn't surprise me in the least.
He hasn't lived long enough to form rational, developed opinions of his own yet.

However, while some of *you* want to beat up on this kid--you really need to ask yourself why a reporter would have asked these questions of a 16-year old boy?He is just a kid and has only been around for about 1 1/2-2 years in the spotlight...so he more than likely isn't used to being put on the spot about these types of questions--most of the time people just want him to sing or talk about his hair.

He didn't just "offer" these views, he was asked.

These questions really weren't appropriate to even be asked...especially asking a 16-year old boy what his opinion is on woman's reproductive health? Please. That doesn't even make sense.
And Korea?
Shit, I'd have a hard time formulating an opinion on that and I am 3x his age.

[WatsonT]

255. Going to a hospital doesn't make you an expert on

healthcare or insurance. And while he may be appreciative of his time there I'm doubtful he had much hand in paying the bill or dealing with the insurance companies.

Your rebuttal perfectly encapsulates my complaint with this whole thing: on healthcare he is wise and has some deep insight, on abortion he's just a foolish kid parroting what those around him say. Give him a different audience and you get the exact opposite answer: he supports canadian healthcare due to propaganda and his parents, but he knows abortion is evil because children are wise. He has had personal experience being a child, maybe that's why he doesn't like abortion. (very much pro-choice, but that argument "kids hate abortion because they don't want to be aborted" makes exactly as much sense as "he loves universal healthcare because he was in a hospital" argument).

And the reason he was asked this is us. We seem to hang on ever word a celebrity says. We assume that because they can sing, or throw a ball, or look good in a bikini that they are also role models and politically astute. We give credence to their views in areas that have nothing to do with why they're famous so reporters ask these questions.

[JoePhilly]

38. He's going to get Dixi-Chicked by the far right.

[sufrommich]

45. "I really don't believe in abortion. It's like killing a baby?"

A quote from Beiber. The right wing will love this statement,just like DU loves his health care statement. That's the trouble with equating intelligence with celebrity.

[JoePhilly]

75. A 16 year old boy who is against abortion?

Odd.

[Bluenorthwest]

52. Bieber is ok by me. He can sing.

And clearly he pays attention.

[superduperfarleft]

53. Did you read the abortion part? n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

76. I read the segment being discussed.

I support choice. You are aware that it is possible to agree with a person on one thing but not on another, aren't you? If it were not so, I'd not be able to vote for anyone. The President thinks my family is not even a real family. And yet, on some things I agree with him. That does not mean I suddenly agree with his theology or the rest of his politics, or about what's good for dinner.
Which brings us back to the subject at hand, which is what he said about health care. I agree with that. Those who don't first slander the speaker then change the subject to abortion, and that dance is too square for me, it is the dance of the GOP. Tarnish, then talk about abortion.
I do not even know what if any opinion he has about other issues. There might be some others with which I'd take offense, don't know. He is apparently a Christian kid, so I assume he might be prejudiced against gay people, but that is an assumption and to use it would be prejudicial on my part.
But the subject at hand is health care, and what he said about that. And the points I have been making have been largely about the bs being used to counter him, as I do not agree that 16 year olds are all stupid, nor that pop stars should not have opinions. I do not see an interview in a music mag printing his opinion as 'putting his opinion above all others' or any of that shut up and sing nonsense. I would not use those tactics in support of or in opposition to anything or anyone. I'm not ever going to tell anyone they should not speak their minds, even if I do not agree with all they say. I will never dismiss a person because of what they do for a living, nor for being young. These points are my points, that and that he is correct about health care.
If the subject was abortion and he said he was opposed to choice, I'd still not approach that issue by snarking at him. Because the issue is important. And because I encourage both young people and artists to speak their minds.

[upi402]

56. Okay, I like him now

I've been taking steps toward Canada again myself. I gave the Obama team too much hope and see the elephant in the living room.

[rucky]

60. And our system's done nothing to control the outbreak Beiber Fever

[Enrique]

84. hee hee

:-)

[Reader Rabbit]

67. I now regret every snarky comment I've made to my tween students...

...who are gaga over this kid. I don't know his music, but it sure sounds like his head is on straight!

[HuckleB]

79. You've no need to regret any of those comments. He's anti-choice

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-says-you-got-raped-for-a-reason-ladies/

And he doesn't appear to know that there is a North Korea and a South Korea...

[HuckleB]

92. As for those tweens. Death threats anyone?

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2011/02/riffs_kids_can_be_so_crim_not.html

[BOG PERSON]

69. n/m

[Dorian Gray]

74. It's true

I respect that he's said this. But he now has the money to pay the extortionary fees for health care in the US. Let's see if he'll put his money where his mouth is, and get all future treatments in Canada.

[FourScore]

80. He's young. (His opinion on abortion and rape.)

I'm glad nobody was asking me political questions to be printed in magazines and newspapers when I was his age. I was a real idiot about some things.

[HuckleB]

82. As is he...

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-says-you-got-raped-for-a-reason-ladies/

[itsrobert]

85. Me too

and still am on occasion.

[FourScore]

90. LOL. I know the feeling. n/t

[NoGOPZone]

86. Don't know anything about him, other than he's evidently the most hated person on YouTube

and this isn't going to help, considering the hordes of right wing crazies that post there. Maybe he's too successful to mind.

[HuckleB]

87. Well, since he's also anti-choice...

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-says-you-got-raped-for-a-reason-ladies/

Besides, I thought the Bieberistas had made Esperanza Spalding the most hated person on YouTube, or maybe that was wikipedia.

:shrug:

[NoGOPZone]

97. His detractors show up all over YouTube

It's pretty common to see negative comments about him on videos that don't have anything whatsoever to do with him. Obviously, he has his fans, but they're more congregated.

As for his abortion comments, that won't matter to the right. Half truths and selective quoting are among their favorite methods.

[HuckleB]

99. His fans may be congregated, but a few of them appear to have gone on an "adventure."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2011/02/riffs_kids_can_be_so_crim_not.html

:(

[NoGOPZone]

106. As have his detratctors. He was the target of a some 4chan pranks

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10506482

Somehow, I don't think his handlers mind the extra publicity

[snooper2]

251. he's hated on youtube because he's a manufactured "star" who's music is horrendous

There's an open offer to Jesus saying please take Justin Bieber and Gaga if you would just return 2-Pac


More evidence of no such thing as god :)

[Cleita]

88. Turns out that kid is more than cute and talented.

He's also smart and compassionate.

:thumbsup:

[Connie_Corleone]

89. Not too smart when it comes to "Korea".

Plus he's anti-choice.

[HuckleB]

93. Not so compassionate when it comes to rape.

[Codeine]

126. He's actually none of those things. nt

[Rex]

95. A child telling us we are evil sounds about right.

We are greedy, evil, manipulative capitalist Justin. Why do you think people pay you millions to be just mediocre?

[Taverner]

98. I never hated the Bieb - he seemed like any teen pop star

Just a young guy singing.

Now I have some respect for the dude...

[HuckleB]

100. Respect?

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-says-you-got-raped-for-a-reason-ladies/

:shrug:

At least he did as he was told and congratulated Esperanza Spalding in public. That might actually be worthy of respect.

[Taverner]

111. Meh - he's 16. You tell me you were always right at 16

I sure as fuck wasn't

[HuckleB]

113. So if a 16-year-old agrees with you, you give him respect.

If a 16-year-old then says something ridiculous, you excuse it.

Interesting.

Everyone makes mistakes, but it's ludicrous to offer "respect" off a one-off comment, especially when that comment is followed by a number of ridiculous things.

[Taverner]

114. No, if they say something ridiculous I shake my head

Kind of like praising your kids when they do the right thing, but giving them a stern look when they do the wrong thing.

[HuckleB]

115. Yawn.

[Taverner]

192. With Kids, its about direction. They aren't who they are yet.

So yes, I can respect a direction.

[MadBadger]

141. His abortion views are cringe-worthy at best

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=429424&mesg_id=429424

[Taverner]

160. He's a dumb 16-year-old!

When I was 16 I thought Jesus watched and frowned when I masturbated!

[MadBadger]

168. If you respect his health care views, you cant just write off his abortion ones

[Taverner]

190. Look - I don't "HATE" anybody. Even ratfucks like Pigboy and Beck

He's a sixteen year old kid

He understands the value of collective health care. He doesn't value a woman's right to choose.

Seeing as how he learned the first, there's a good chance he might learn the latter.

Despite all this, why are we worrying about a sixteen year old singer's view on an issue completely disconnected from him? Sure, if he were running for Senate (or Parliament) I might give a rats ass.

But when a young person has an epiphany, I am always for it

[Erose999]

105. Justin Beaver is from Canuck-a-stan? I had no idea. Anyway I'm sure he'll be on Glenn Beck's

blackboard now.

[Xenotime]

107. Yea for socialized medicine.

[superduperfarleft]

123. Canada doesn't have socialized medicine. n/t

[Cleita]

138. So what would you call it?

Everyone pays what they can into the pot with taxes, managed by the government, and then they can get health care access when they need it regardless of their ability to pay because the government pays for it out of the pot. That sounds like socialism to me. And btw, I don't consider socialism a dirty word. I believe we need it as a species to survive and thrive.

[superduperfarleft]

143. Canada has a single-payer insurance system.

Hospitals are privately owned, it's basically just a national health insurance plan. The UK has socialized medicine, where hospitals are owned and operated by the government.

I was just correcting a misuse of the term, I didn't need a lecture.

[Uncle Joe]

108. I haven't followed Bieber's music but my respect for him has just grown.

Thanks for the thread, Zephie.:thumbsup:

[nadinbrzezinski]

117. Woe I am impressed

I do not think I will say anything bad about Justin anymore. He gets it.

[former9thward]

136. Especially his comments about abortion and rape, right?

[Vinca]

119. Spread the word, Justin.

[superduperfarleft]

124. The best part is this identical thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x429424

with a very different result.

:rofl:

Come on, people, read the WHOLE article before commenting.

[IamK]

200. he went from intellectual Canadian God to total azzclown hoser in like 5 minutes

[NuclearDem]

127. He's a kid...

Why are we even talking about this? He also said in the same interview "whatever Korea has" is bad...

[superduperfarleft]

135. Maybe he can be Sarah Palin's running mate.

The Korea thing totally sounds like something she would say. :rofl:

[glinda]

128. I take back what I said on my earlier post. Wow. Good for him.

[Kingofalldems]

137. K and R for the sneaky freepers

[sixmile]

139. RW attacking him systematically across Internet

Check out some of the idiotic comments on Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/justin-bieber-talks-sex-politics-music-and-puberty-in-new-rolling-stone-cover-story-20110216

Small Americans celebrate mediocrity.

I just became a fan of Bieber's for truth-telling.

[Raksha]

155. As well they might be...this is a HUGE threat to the RW and their message.

Re "RW attacking him systematically across Internet"

It's no surprise that there's troll activity here at DU and no doubt at Kos as well. But the trolls know they can't get very far with "the professional left." The best they can hope for is to slow us down. "Low-information voters," especially teenagers who typically don't spend much time on politics, are a whole other story. If something causes THEM to pay attention to the health care debate it's a serious existential crisis to the trolls' neocon handlers.

I think I'm going to check out the comments on Rolling Stone just for laughs, but I don't intend to spend a whole lot of time at it. I've gotten a pretty good overview of the major talking points right on this thread, and they are LAME!

[white_wolf]

140. Damn it all!

I hate being forced to agree with him, but he is right for once, grr its almost enough to make me forgive him for saying he is more important to music than Nirvan or the Beatles. Almost. His music still sucks though.

[MisterP]

147. but we DO have universal healthcare now: that's what so many DUers say "individual mandate" means nt

[indepat]

148. The evil is so overwhelmingly obvious that even teen-aged children can see

:patriot:

[harun]

150. That's flat out awesome. Go Beibs!

[kudzu22]

151. I'd rather have him supporting the Right Wingers

It'd undercut their credibility no end. Bieber? Seriously? Why does anyone care what a teen singer thinks?

[fadedrose]

153. Good for him - K & R

[DailyGrind51]

157. If only 12-year-old girls could vote!

[MedicalAdmin]

250. They will vote in 6 years

And studies show that most people vote with their hearts, not their heads.

So yah - we should care.

[bobburgster]

158. Don't enjoy him, or his music!

But kudos to the kid with a brain!

[Little Star]

159. I'm a little old to have a teeny bopper idol.....

but I think I just got one!

[AlabamaLibrul]

164. Justin Bieber is worse than American healthcare

only being mildly sarcastic here, he also said abortion is "like, killing a baby"

[Shagbark Hickory]

166. Smart kid. When I was his age I had no idea of the problems with US diseasecare.

Must be that canadian education.

[davidpdx]

169. Deport him back to Canada

[HEyHEY]

205. No fucking way, you're buying his albums YOU Keep him

[Octafish]

170. He's correct.

All of a sudden, I'm a fan of the guy. His music, hah hah hah. But him as a person? What a future he has!

[StarsInHerHair]

174. good 4 him, and he has the guts to tell it

nt

[FVZA_Colonel]

176. Between this and him apparently being a huge John Waters fan,

maybe there's more to him than meets the eye.

[underpants]

179. Oh my

marking to read to my wife (our girl is slowly being pulled into the trap of marketing - thank god for SpongeBob)

[Gman]

184. LOL! Now there's a real opinion maker right there with Victoria Jackson

every side has one.

[gateley]

193. I'm with you, Zephie. Never mentioned his name without a smirk (if I mentioned

it at all). Gotta give him props for this. You can't put it any more plainly than he did.

[Initech]

194. Now this is pro life.

[grahamhgreen]

198. This is actually more important than I like to think!

Beiber influences millions.

[AlbertCat]

199. See, GOP? Even a teenager can get it. But not you guys apparently.

[Mimosa]

209. D.U. is full of guilt wracked closet Republicans. LOL! n/t

[WatsonT]

256. You realize they could say the same thing right?

Ignore the healthcare bit and focus just on his anti-abortion, born again views.

[Modern_Matthew]

201. If we could get him to tweet support for H.R. 676...

The controversy that follows would be an epic win.

[provis99]

202. I am amused by some negative posters here.

Apparently, they think a 16 year old celebrity's opinions are unworthy to listen to. And apparently they think their negativity posted anonymously on DU is more worthy of regard and consideration. Why do they think we should read their useless crap any more than we should listen to celebrities? Well, they do have big egos of their own, I see.

[Name removed]

203. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[akbacchus_BC]

218. Yes, totally agree with you my friend!

[TxVietVet]

206. Welcome to the American Health Care System.

If you're not poor when we get through with you, we haven't done our job.

Smart kid. Tell the world. The only ones that thinks it don't suck is conservanazi republiklans.

[Karmadillo]

207. Impressive.

nt

[Mimosa]

208. ITA, Justin. n/t

[Capitalocracy]

213. Suddenly awesome. But it just goes to show...

this whole thing isn't as complicated as they're making it out to be. You guys are evil. Simple as that. Even the Bieb can understand it.

[akbacchus_BC]

214. Are you familiar with Canada's health care system? If not, try to find out!

Bieber is not our spokesperson!

[AmandaMae]

216. as much as I don't care about his opinion,

maybe this will get some of his preteen/teen fans in the US to look into the issue.

[akbacchus_BC]

217. Go Bieber my ass! You all are so vulnerable, Canada never had

the Canadian Dream. At least America had until recently when that ass clown bush 1 and two got ellected or selected, take your pick!

[thereismore]

219. Why should I care what this 16-year old child says. nt

[akbacchus_BC]

221. You shouldn't care, he is into celeb status, have not seen him on

ichannel advocating for issues affecting kids his age. I do not expect all celebs to be that way but am not impressed with Bieber, however, good luck to him!

[thereismore]

266. Apparently, his Christian faith is important to him just like his hand on Selena Gomez's ass.

When you are a stupid child, just shut the hell up, Beiber. Go sell some life-sized cutouts of yourself.

[drmeow]

220. I wonder how many Faux loving parents

are going to destroy their little girls Bieber stuff over this?

Good way to guarantee their eventual rebellion and make it more likely that the will reject their parents values - I hope a lot do. Kids are curious. If Mom and Dad over-react, they'll start trying to learn why Mom and Dad reacted that way.

[akbacchus_BC]

225. Some of us Canadians are evil too, and you must be 16! Your idol

do not speak for Canadians, he is just like your regular 'American Idol'. Asshole came to BC and thought he could get away with insulting people here. Read up before you post crap on the internet!

[applegrove]

226. I am always excited when a canadian makes it in the world but I must say

I am more proud at how well informed he is.

[HEyHEY]

235. Really? I think he's a blind patriot buying into the Canadian propaganda of how much better we are

Than the USA. This kid clearly has no idea of the ills of Canada.

[applegrove]

263. Half of all bankruptcies in the USA are caused by health care costs. And how many people

die a year because they are not covered? I think health care is a legitimate issue to be proud of. This isn't knee jerk. It is about whether or not your country feels like they are in "it" together or not. And in canada we often are.... though we are not perfect. In the USA ...they are not "in it together" often which I see as an evil way of governing. Big, legitimate difference. Of course half the USA wishes they had our healthcare and our in it togetherness'. I'm a little surprised that Bieber's handlers let him say this out loud. But I am proud.

I studied health care economics in university and public healthcare is both cheaper and fairer than private with goes against what you would think. But it is true. Let me say it again. Public health care costs less per capita than private health care. So it is a crime it isn't in the USA. The Obama plan they have will reduce costs a bit but not as much as if they had the public system.

[HEyHEY]

264. Yeah, but "Canada is the best country in the world"? Come on

It's easy to pick something like health care and be proud of our system. But that's such a broad, untrue statement.

[eridani]

230. Not necessary to be a genius in order to understand what your own experience tells you n/t

[Frank Booth]

231. Justin Bieber is the most amazing person in the world.

I sincerely hope Obama is considering kicking that old fool Biden to the curb and offering the VP spot to Justin Bieber. And, he certainly would be a good candidate for the next Supreme Court opening as well.

[HEyHEY]

234. Well, you know, he "gets" the kids, right.

It's all about the kids

[crim son]

236. In his bodyguard's ordeal he has seen

the ugly discrepancy between the U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems. He's famous so he's being quoted, but his fame doesn't make him any less right.

[pam4water]

237. O: There is a brain under that helmet! I wonder if he'll get the full Dixie Chick Treatment.

[howard112211]

238. Oh please. This is embarrasing.

150+ recs for a celebrity teen making a trivial statement that a six year old could have generated?

What's next? 300+ recs for "Paris Hilton says Bush stinks"?

[Rebubula]

241. PLUS...

...the fact that he also spoke out against abortion and made a couple of other dumb comments - this is an embarrassing thread


Dumbing down of DU..

[WatsonT]

257. I think war is like totally not cool and stuff

And I heard there are like these 4 dars that are totally suffering famine and violence. And that's not good, someone should like do something and stuff.

[TBF]

243. If you read the entire article the little twerp also says that "rape happens" -

so I wouldn't hinge too much on what a spoiled 16 year old says.

[leveymg]

244. What the hell is this celebrity idol trash doing at the top of the Rec list?

Does Beiber's publicist have 165 sock puppets voting for this one? F-ck Justin Beiber and the publicity-driven industry that has destroyed pop music.

[TBF]

247. Entire article -

Excerpt:

"He isn't sure what political party he'd support if he was old enough to vote. "I'm not sure about the parties," Bieber says. "But whatever they have in Korea, that's bad." He does have a solid opinion on abortion. "I really don't believe in abortion," Bieber says. "It's like killing a baby." How about in cases of rape? "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I don't know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that.""

Bolding added. Re rape "but everything happens for a reason". Seriously?

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/justin-bieber-talks-sex-politics-music-and-puberty-in-new-rolling-stone-cover-story-20110216

[annabanana]

248. EVERYONE knows this. It only makes news when someone like

Bieber says it.

[fascisthunter]

252. Not All of Us, but those Defending this System, probably

they hold economics over human suffering in order for others who aren't suffering to make money... yeah, I prefer to call them cold, calculated and sociopathic. Now watch their frailty in trying to defend the system. They know it.

[lynne]

254. Must be true because, ya' know, all 16 year olds are so full of wisdom -

- the fact that he'd say this in the country that's padding his bank account just proves he's not the sharpest little knife in the drawer.

[WatsonT]

259. I'm kind of surprised his handlers let him comment

on something so divisive. The point of being a corporate produced pop star is to appeal to the masses and generate a lot of money.

Pissing off about half your fans isn't a good way to go. Particularly since he then went on to oppose abortion. Two stances that should effectively alienate everyone. Not that this will end his career or anything, but it won't help.

He should stick to fluff or at best political generalities that won't offend anyone: War is bad. Famine is bad. Racism is bad. Genocide is bad.

[HEyHEY]

265. So what does the fact that you guys will keep feeding him cash despite his comments say then?

FTR, I think what he said was of the utmost stupidity. If anyone REALLY wants to nail him back there's about a MILLION things wrong with Canada they could latch on to.

[uponit7771]

258. Good for him for noticing such things...

[yelligilli]

261. He's about as smart as he is a good singer.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

267. Bieber: abortion is "like killing babies." But it gets WORSE!

When pressed about abortion when the pregnancy is the result of rape, Bieber says: "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."


http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-rolling-stone-sex-abortion/


Vote Bieber! :eyes: