Today, you'll hear how to debunk the right-wing's biggest lie about the US health care system:
Right-wingers claim we have the best health care system in the world.
The fact is, it ranks dead last in critical areas compared to other developed nations.
You'll also see how the Bush administration has reverted to an immigration policy based on cruelty and vindictiveness. Clips of right-wingers may make your hair stand on end.
(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)
#129 Transcript
#129 Transcript as a Word document
#129 Sources
Yet another great podcast!
ReplyDeleteI think the Boortz clip tells us about right-wing-nut humor. I believe that right-wing-nuts actually believe that the sick and racist sentiments like Boortz's is actually satire. I think this tells us a lot about the mind of the right-wing-nut. They don't understand real satire. Actually if they understood real satire, their minds would have to be open enough to see through their right-wing-nut ideology...
Just anecdote...
Yet another great podcast!
ReplyDeleteI think the Boortz clip tells us a lot about right-wing-nut humor. I believe that right-wing-nuts actually believe that the sick and racist sentiments like Boortz's is actually satire. I think this tells us a lot about the mind of the right-wing-nut. They don't understand real satire. Actually if they understood real satire, their minds would have to be open enough to see through their right-wing-nut ideology...
Just an anecdote...
When you mention government run single payer system two things come to mind: Medicare and VHA (Veterans Health Administration) I pity the person who depends on either for care.
ReplyDeleteHaving the best medical care in the world is a matter of opinion. People come here to the USA from all over the world for specialized medical treatments. I don't think that would be the case if we didn't have the best medical care in the world.
Do you really believe everyone has an absolute right to medical care? Medical care is a service. Someone has to provide the service. Would you compel someone to provide medical services without compensating them for the services they provide? Are you suggesting slave doctors?
On the issue of illegals what is the problem with enforcing the law? That it was ignored in the past does not invalidate it.
You don't like the way the illegals are being jailed? Some murders, rapists, and burglars don't like being jailed either. Bottom line is that if you violate the penal code you may well end up in a penal institution. Don't break the law if you don't want to do the time.
Identity theft is a huge and growing problem. If the illegal aliens are a part of that problem that is just one more reason to get them out of the country. If they are illiterate and don't know what a SSN is it makes no difference. If they weren't here illegally in the first place they wouldn't be dealing with these 'other' criminal issues.
Socialized insurance is medicare, but not VHA. Jack seems to prefer the former.
ReplyDeleteOf course, both do considerably better than the private market alternatives, so I don't "pity" anyone using either.
VA hospitals continue to rank well above private sector hospitals, despite being incredibly underfunded and
overstressed. While most hospitals still use large file-cabinets, VA digitized records and modernized years ago.
VA hospitals rank above the private sector average in quality of care and 40% higher survival rates among the
elderly in alternative private plans.
http://shrinkster.com/119k
Everyone knows Medicare is more efficient by now, with overhead costs near 3%, compared to the private sector
average of 20%+.
http://shrinkster.com/119h
Of course, we allow private insurers to compete with Medicare, but they always die out. Those still around cost
significantly more, have lower payout rates, and higher denial rates.
http://shrinkster.com/119l
The Government heavily subsidizes private plans just to keep them alive.
http://shrinkster.com/119g
France and Germany are the most popular destinations for foreigners seeking specialized care, not the US. Medical
tourism generally goes the other way - Americans seek care in other countries more than the other way around. There's a reason the Pope was sent to France when he was dying.
The US produces FEWER doctors and nurses than most industrialized nations. The national systems don't seem to have a hard time attracting people into the field.
http://shrinkster.com/119m
We should be so lucky to have immigrants using false Social Security numbers. This just means they get to pay into our retirement plans, but never get to collect a thing. In fact, they are responsible for reducing the projected deficit in 75 years by 1/5th just because of this.
http://shrinkster.com/119n
As usual ChickenHammer zones in on certain points while completely ignoring others. CH, take another listen to the podcast. It seemed obvious to the translator who WAS THERE the whole time, that these people were not guilty of identity theft. Rather the Employer who actually filled out the papers was the guilty party. Yet the Employer walks free. I assume then CH, that you are in favor of selectively applied rule of law?
ReplyDeleteNothing was really "stolen". The employer simply paid into Social Security on behalf of the undocumented worker, using a bogus number.
ReplyDeleteThere's no need to steal anyone's identity to do this... but if you did then you would just be paying into the "victim's" retirement.
How awful.