TO: ALL

RE: Glock45, American Fascist, etc., etc.

Just an FYI...

when you wrestle with a pig, you get covered with shit. And the pig likes it.

Also re: Chris Sinnard- I've read a high percenrage of his posts at various times. He is not an anti-semmite, he's against what the Israeli government is doing (against the wishes of the majority of its own citizens) to the Palestinians. I don't agree with him on everything he says by any means, but I am quite ctritical of many/most of these policies as well. And I'm Jewish... (oh that's right, I'm a "self-hating jew". If only I was gay as well, I could have my own blog!)

I am a healthcare professional (psychologist specializing in medically involved patients) and have to say that there is no simple answer. I do get very pissed off at the Glock45-types who trot out the same tired RW talking points (all debunked). Still, if you have excellent insurance and lots of money, you can get good healthcare in America. But we aren’t getting the “bang for the buck” that Canada, France, Germany, etc. do. By all measure of overall health outcomes, we are mid-range for industrialized nations, but a TWICE the cost per person per year. I can tell you from 25 years experience; it’s all going to insurers and pharmaceutical companies. The best example? If you come to see me as a cash patient, I will discount my fee 50%- and end up with the same amount of money!!! That’s what it costs to collect insurance today. In a single-payer system, I would have one secretary-receptionist, let go 2 full-time billing people I share with my chiropractor partner, and end up with the same amount of money and a LOT less stress.

Another issue is the profit-driven aspect of the pharmaceutical industry. In many to most cases, older drugs work just as well as the newer and more expensive ones, but the marketing the drug companies do skews prescribing in the direction of maximal profit. They really have done a good job of convincing patients that “newer is better” even though the data says otherwise. Likewise, WAY too much money is spent on end-of-life care- bypasses on people in their 80s?? The research shows that the surgeries do NOT improve quality of life, but they bring in big bucks- and doctors, who have seen reimbursement for services cut by 40-60% in the last 10-15 years, are looking to maximize their income any way they can. You can’t blame them- their malpractice, staff salaries and health insurance, and cost of collections have all gone up during the same time period. Want to be rich? Don’t become a doctor…

Still, we have to face issues that aren’t being discussed. Americans are very unhealthy people- we spend enormous amounts of money on cholesterol lowering drugs, stints and bypasses, etc. If there is single-payer, can we somehow incentivize people to be more proactive with their health?

I think the best overall plan is a basic, Medicare for all system- accepting that there will be some waits and rationing- and a private sector a la England. That’s what scares the big health insurers shitless- actually having to compete!

My $.02 worth…

Obviously, this thread reflects a large number of O'Reilly viewers who stalked you back to here. If that isn't scary enough, consider this- you were introduced as being from "Slate.com". So the new writers posting here were the ones "SMART" enough to use google and actually find you. Think of the "quality" of the letters written by the ones angrily posting at Slate- the really dumb ones!!!

There are legitimate arguments that can be made against abortion in general, and especially third-trimester abortion, even when it is medically necessary. (I'm totally pro-CHOICE BTW) Not by these loons, of course...if you can stomach it, it might be worth trying to find a well-wriiten critique on the pro-life side to publish. Doubt you'll find it in this crowd, though...

That would be hundreds of INNOCENT people tortured, at least 50 to DEATH! It must be nice to be as stupid annd narcissitic as you obviously are- never a doubt, never wrong, your shit doesn't stink...the PERFECT O'Reilly viewer!

Fuck you very much.

to discover that there is hypocrisy in this (Beltway) Establishment!

On the other hand, an enterprising young writer could probably generate a book on the topic :-)

Oh, and WinSmith- those of us who want the FOIA enforced, and the pictures released, hope that in doing so it will lead to criminal convictions of those responsible. That's really going to inflame Al Quaeda, huh- those who torture Muslims going to prison...

If the purpose of a debate is to get someone to CHANGE their point of view...

I see a small number of posts from folks identifying themselves a conservative O'Reilly watchers, who admit to seeing some issues at least somewhat differently based on your appearance, Joan. See any pro-choice folks saying "Oh my God- I have seen the light thanks to Billo!"??? Didn't think so...

Oh, and Joan, I know you believe in free discourse, but Great White Male (he's lying on at least 2 of the 3) has GOT to go....