tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post1621366748210213319..comments2024-03-25T16:03:36.810-07:00Comments on The Existentialist Cowboy: When you die in America, it will be because you are NOT RICH!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-5505523330085833562009-06-08T03:07:33.440-07:002009-06-08T03:07:33.440-07:00Just one more boot pushing american's head und...<a href="http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=13881" rel="nofollow">Just one more boot pushing american's head underwater</a>paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608591025225519578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-72612208139568459992009-05-26T05:45:10.529-07:002009-05-26T05:45:10.529-07:00"American exceptionalism is killing you guys." -da..."American exceptionalism is killing you guys." -damien<br /><br />Hey damien, good to hear your voice of reason again. I agree with your statement on the whole, but the problem is American exceptionalism, and it's mythology (IMHO) is one of the main propaganda tools that have been incorporated in this country from day one. Your astute knowledge of western culture and history is certainly well aware that It is one of the building blocks and motivational gimmicks used by the new world expansionist movements of yore (Manifest Destiny etc. et al). Of course let us not forget where much of this effort and attitude originated, the power broker nation-states of the old world.<br /><br /> Old habits are hard to do away with...especially when there WAS so much wealth and power once associated with the ideology ( I do agree with you- Europe has done a much better job negotiating their future, and their global interaction and impacts in many ways). <br /><br />Nevertheless, many thinking Americans continue to bring the ideas, insights and hopefully the facts forward in efforts to progress in what we have left of this 'democracy' republic...There are still many sure footed hearts and minds left in this nation, now is the moment they must come forward and be assimilated. <br /><br />It is well beyond the time for the human species to assimilate it's best collective parts and evolve forward, in a general sense of awareness...the 'hippies' were right on with that assumption so many years ago (Not to mention many of that era had some really good ideas that were very much ignored by the main stream culture) but I see some recognition on the horizon. <br /><br />benmercAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-28198672954646134162009-05-26T04:36:30.558-07:002009-05-26T04:36:30.558-07:00Bizarre, isn't it? The US has no problem importing...Bizarre, isn't it? The US has no problem importing Japanese cars but won't import the French, Canadian or Aussie health systems. How would Americans react if they were told they would only be permitted to buy US gas guzzlers? I expect they would be up in arms. Pity they have such a poor sense of popular revolt. The French take to the streets at the drop of a hat to keep a public medical system yet Californians can only rouse themselves to support Proposition 13 (have I got that right?) -- the one banning the state from sensible property taxes -- with the result that California is now broke because their taxes rely on wage and salary earners who simply can't pay anymore. It's all sad. Every young Yank should get a tax paid holiday in Europe paid for by closing down most of their prisons. Consider it as a form of a cultural immunization against isolationist thinking, a way of beefing up social defenses against the ravages of anti-democratic forces. That "sea to shining sea" thing can be a bit of a handicap at times. American exceptionalism is killing you guys.damiennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-10227485563774613242009-05-25T18:57:00.615-07:002009-05-25T18:57:00.615-07:00"We can do a lot better than a government-run..."We can do a lot better than a government-run health care system," says a voice-over in one of the ads."<br /><br />Well...I sure do not hear any complaints from our congress persons, high brass and all the rest of the upper echelon of government complain about the 'poorly managed' health care plans we tax payers front for them and theirs, ad infinitum. My yes, we proletariat certainly don't want any of THAT...(I am certain that if Dante Alighieri were around today he would scribe in an extra 'ring' for these sons of bitches...)<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />"It just never seems to fuckin' end!<br /><br />REVOLUTION NOW!" - LH <br /><br />I agree Len, problem is the only people ready for that are libertarians & reactionaries...that is, all the wrong people for (mostly) all the wrong reasons. So, recession/depression or whatever, things are just not thin enough yet for everyday 'normal' Americans to feel real pressure. Patience is beyond virtue at this stage of the game, Obama has some time, but not much, nor very much room to move. I realized when he went in, it was as a calculated centrist politician, and he said so, and many others portrayed him as such.<br /><br /> The only IDIOTS that call Obama a "socialist" etc. etal....are ultra right-wing multimillionaire cretins like O'Riley, Hannity, Limbaugh and the rest...and I suspect they are just knowingly playing word games to keep their 'base' lit up and their bank accounts FAT. <br /><br />American politics are in a sad state, it is hard to know where this is all going, I always seem to say that, but that is where I am at. I will suggest individual and community sustainability planning and practices, we all need to do that anyhow, and in every way possible. Support your local small farmers, especially organic and sustainable practicing ones.Not only do we need to support and help develop the small farming sector, we also need to support local small business best we can...these are steps to true grass root control. <br /><br />There is a measurable accountability in efforts as these within the system, and I believe some sections of the government are finely beginning to understand some of this. You can see involvement with some state and local groups for sure, now lets see how they work with it all, will it be nurtured or exploited? <br /><br /><br />benmercAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-37236954895086460292009-05-25T15:16:20.403-07:002009-05-25T15:16:20.403-07:00What pisses me off, Len, is that Democrats like Ma...What pisses me off, Len, is that Democrats like Max Baucus and Nancy Pelosi refuse to even allow discussion of single payer, universal coverage in Congress when the Dems have enough votes to ram it down the Rethuglicans' throats, if we really wanted it bad enough.<br /><br />Fuck the health insurance companies! They are just expensive, unnecessary middlemen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-40278790009331984832009-05-25T14:29:57.386-07:002009-05-25T14:29:57.386-07:00SadbuTrue sez... I have friends who are only aliv...SadbuTrue sez...<BR><BR><EM> I have friends who are only alive today due to Canada's much maligned (and usually maligned through gross misrepresentation) health care system. </EM>Good point! Many of these problems would be SOLVABLE if and ONLY if the gross, obscene inequalities in income and wealth were RESPONSIBLY addressed by RESPONSIBLE government. <br /><br />Certainly --one of the effects of inequality is that the ELITE bids ups the price of everything desirable simply because they can. <br /><br />This principle applies not only to Malibu beach property or Houston's River Oaks, it applies to health care as well. <br /><br />When the family doctor actually made house calls, you can bet that it was a time of relative income/wealth equality. The RICH FAT CATS had not yet bid up the price of HEALTH SUCH THAT only the rich could afford to live out a full and productive life.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-74704999548856098802009-05-25T12:17:23.134-07:002009-05-25T12:17:23.134-07:00I have friends who are only alive today due to Can...I have friends who are only alive today due to Canada's much maligned (and usually maligned through gross misrepresentation) health care system. Sure, you may have to wait for some procedures, but nothing is ever neglected that may be life threatening.<br /><br />Let's replace the unfair comparisons with some that are more of the apple-to-apples variety. In the US the patient has probably already waited some time before even seeing a doctor because he or she is afraid they can't afford the deductible. Then they wait some more while an HMO bean-counter decides whether their condition warrants coverage.<br /><br />Me, I'd rather put my fate in the hands of a government bureaucrat than a corporate one any day. At least the former's actions aren't driven solely by the profit motive.SadButTruehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977090207448656065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-90010445269869270542009-05-25T08:39:09.616-07:002009-05-25T08:39:09.616-07:00"We can do a lot better than a government-run heal..."We can do a lot better than a government-run health care system," says a voice-over in one of the ads."<br /><br />Wow. That's a great opening for a little "put up or shut up" pushback, and we'd be fools to let it pass. Because if they really can come up with a plan that tops what I enjoyed during the 30 years I lived in Canada (no copays, no deductables, no denials of coverage in any form, $54 a month and I never, ever saw a bill of any kind) then I'd sign on in a heartbeat. Cause for me, this isn't about ideology. It's about moving from a healthcare system that I was quite satified with and could afford (Canada's) to a bureaucratic and financial nightmare where I pay $367.94 a month to spend my precious time arguing with United Healthcare about whether they're obligated to pay for anything.<br /><br />If that was the choice the American people were presented with, the results would be a foregone conclusion wouldn't they? There is no amibiguity about this; all the stats say single payer is cheaper and delivers better outcomes. The Insurance Lobby's task is, basically, to sell Stupid. Pay more for less.<br /><br />Amazingly, they've been doing a damn good job of it so far.John Dohenyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13904152411585477081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-91337759036861139992009-05-25T04:05:13.033-07:002009-05-25T04:05:13.033-07:00Anonymous said...
What happened? Many things, ...Anonymous said...<br /><br /> <EM> What happened? Many things, but one was a huge increase in population.</EM>It was the TRANSFER OF WEALTH to the upper one percent. Check the Bureau of Labor Stats. It's all there in black and white. The US was MOST EGALITARIAN during and immediately following WWII...and remained acceptably egalitarian until RONALD REAGAN decided to ENRICH THE ELITES at the expense of everyone else. THAT'S what happened!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-85256801897562532092009-05-24T20:44:50.465-07:002009-05-24T20:44:50.465-07:00Too many people! Stop breeding! I remember when yo...Too many people! Stop breeding! I remember when you could go fishing, hunting. Food was grown locally. I spent my youth running through the woods. Swimming in creeks, hiking trails.Farms,dairies,orchards,church picnics.No freeways,drugs,smog,no one had insurance! What happened? Many things, but one was a huge increase in population.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-14985029323786482009-05-24T14:36:57.454-07:002009-05-24T14:36:57.454-07:00benmerc sez...
Was it not HR Haldeman that showed...benmerc sez...<br /><br /><EM>Was it not HR Haldeman that showed Nixon the way to the original HMO system that has become the scourge of American health care for the working man?</EM>It seems that there is NO END to the EVIL FUCKIN SHIT that has stemmed from the likes of Nixon, Reagan, Bush and Bush!!!!!!! <br /><br />It just never seems to fuckin' end! <br /><br />REVOLUTION NOW!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-31831093602744923212009-05-24T10:10:42.831-07:002009-05-24T10:10:42.831-07:00"We can do a lot better than a government-run heal..."We can do a lot better than a government-run health care system," says a voice-over in one of the ads. To which the obvious response is, if that's true, why don't you? -LH<br /><br />Exactly...<br /><br /><br />And, timely...I think single payer is still off the table, and I don't think they will be debating it anytime soon. I am not an expert by any means, but one thing is certain if the insurance companies are loving what this current group pushes, then it can not be good for the everyday working man, and any of lesser means. I had read that the insurance industry is still nervous about some aspects of the Obama plan...we shall see.<br /><br />Was it not HR Haldeman that showed Nixon the way to the original HMO system that has become the scourge of American health care for the working man? It seems all things wicked go back to GOPPERS, it appears it may be true of this also. Fifteen years ago I had an opportunity to converse with our original family physician who had recently retired, he was old school and also believed in some homeopathic methods...at any rate he advised me to stay away from doctors and out of hospitals best as possible. I remember he predicted the rise of mersa type disease way back in the 60's ...he almost never prescribed antibiotics, unless absolutely necessary...he, as most physicians of his time were not pill crazy as they are today...they would all be drummed out of the profession by the AMA these days.<br /><br />Great writing Len...as usual, and thanks for your insights and keeping after the greed mongers and their minions...theses people have no shame.<br /><br />benmercAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com