Why is health care debate a political issue?

[BillVol]

It's either good or it ain't. Can some of the non-Americans here tell about how their health care system works? Can someone comment on President Obama's proposed package? Keep politics out of it or gh will shut it down. Thankee.

[Per Andersen]

How can you even ask that question? Of course there would be political issues with all that's involved.

Right now I can't think of an issue that would be less suited for this board.

[lonewolf]

What Per said.

[BillVol]

I respectfully disagree with you two.

Per, you're from Sweden or Denmark, right? How does your system work? Are you happy with it?

[DrJay]

It's unfortunate that it's a politcal issue. It really should be a moral issue.

[lonewolf]

BillVol, I don't think anyone is opposed to the best realistically possible health care for everyone deserving and eligible but the devil is in the details and you surely must be aware that the details are rife with politics.

[gh]

This writer has his point of view as to why it is so political. It's all about demography:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 19GG97.DTL

<<A revealing moment occurred in the health care debate this summer when a woman attending an Arkansas town meeting stood weeping and declared, "At this point in my life, I have never seen my America turned into what it has turned into, and I want my America back."

This simple declarative statement dispelled any illusion that reforming health care is only about reducing premiums, establishing universal coverage, creating a government-run option or changing the tax laws.

What gives the debate its emotional wallop is a sense held by many that their image of what America is and who Americans are is passing and, with it, their ability to exercise decisive political power.

In many ways, the white woman from Arkansas was right....>>

[Daisy]

The "my America" to which the white woman in Arkansas referred does not include having an African American president.

It does not envision a country where English is often a second language (despite Arkansas and 27 other states adopting English-only laws).

It does not envision a country where Hispanics will approach 29 percent of the total population in 2050. It does not include a world in which race is not so clearly defined in 1960s-era black-and-white terms. It does not envision a country where only one-third of Americans describe their own families as consisting of a mom, a dad and kids.

[odelltrclan]

Well duh!

How can it be political? Do you want government taking over and running and controlling every detail and aspect of your life or not? The proposed health care reform to many is another step in the wrong direction for many and in the right step for many others on a deeply divisive issue.

[TrakFan]

It's unfortunate that it's a politcal issue. It really should be a moral issue.

Agreed - just like deciding whether or not to go to war.

[rasb]

Well duh!

How can it be political? Do you want government taking over and running and controlling every detail and aspect of your life or not? The proposed health care reform to many is another step in the wrong direction for many and in the right step for many others on a deeply divisive issue.

Probably something like 90 % or more of Canadians are "relatively" happy with their health care system. No one thinks it is perfect, but most see universal health care as a key factor in the Canadian fabric.
And the other few per cent get paid to whine on American TV about what isn't perfect about it. It's a strange world, isn't it?

[Daisy]

Do you want government taking over and running and controlling every detail and aspect of your life or not?

So the plan forces you to use government run health care?

[dukehjsteve]

Hang on tight now... the sled is starting to go down the hill.....

[TrackDaddy]

You mean the "we want our country back" chant isnt coming from Hispanics and Indians? :shock:

White people are the ones saying it?

Hmmp. :?



Anyway, wasn't FDR called a socialist too? Unregulated corporate greed is at the root of the resistance to prevent healthcare reform and always has been. That is, along with the "minorities are stealing our country" mindset referenced in gh's link.

Unfortunately for the people who feel that way, "the coloreds are coming."

Obama, Sotomayer, Mike Tomlin, Usain Bolt...heck a colored guy just bought the BBQ place down the street.

Head for the hills. :lol:

Congressman Joe Wilson's outburst during Obama's speech is indicative of the tension involved in this issue and even with Obama's presidency. First he isn't allowed to speak to all the nation's children, then is disrespected in front of the nation by a US Congressman.

Fear that the grip is slipping.

[mump boy]

watching from afar this is completely bewildering. the idea that everyone should have health care free at the point of service is completely engrained into our culture in the uk and we really don't undertand the opposition at all :? :?

the National Health Service i consistantly one of the things we are most proud of and come the general election polititions will compete over who is going to give it more money. polls show we would gladley pay more taxes if we knew the money would go to the NHS

it's not perfect, there are sometimes waiting lists but there are certainly no 'death panels' !!!

it is inconceivable that there would ever be any debate like the one that is happening in the US right now. which seems to be has nothing to do with health care and everything to do with the polarized political situation