******** 2008 Presidential Election *********

[tony]

I probably dislike the current system as much as you do. However, I do not feel socialism is the answer. There is NO incentive for me to shop around for care if I ever need anything. NO competition in the marketplace. Why would prices be cheap? Day to day hospital visits should be paid out of pocket. I don't go to Allstate if my car breaks down or needs an oil change. Only if something drastic happens. Why do we need insurance companies or the government to handle everything?

Health care is not a right. No where in our constitution does it guarantee individuals the right to 'free' (via taxes!)health insurance. In fact, forcing individuals into a government mandated system goes against everything this county was founded on. Also, you assume that a national single payer system would mean quality care? What about those in Canada and the UK that have to wait weeks, sometimes months for health care?

Education isn't a right either, should we do away with education funded by the taxpayers? Voting isn't even a constitutional right.. I could go on and on but do you know why Canadians have to wait? Their doctors come to the U.S because of such high salaries here, it has nothing to do with their system. France, Canada.. all these places laugh at our healthcare system because it is so backwards.

Not everyone has the means to pay for their own healthcare at the current rate, that is why millions of american citizens go without and the taxpayers foot the bill anyway.

[Craigers2k]

Education isn't a right either, should we do away with education funded by the taxpayers?

Your right, and our government education system is a complete JOKE. Here is a prime example of our wonderful government system. We need more incentives for private schools, homeschoolers, etc. But thats another topic...

Voting isn't even a constitutional right..

Again correct, and I find it funny when people talk about their constitution 'right' to vote.

I could go on and on but do you know why Canadians have to wait? Their doctors come to the U.S because of such high salaries here, it has nothing to do with their system. France, Canada.. all these places laugh at our healthcare system because it is so backwards.

Britian is the exact same way. Not too long ago there were stories of how a decent percentage of the population had performed their own dental work because they were in such pain and didn't want to wait the weeks or months it took to see a doctor. Maybe the problem is that since everything is free, people go to the hospital or emergency room when they get a cold! Yes our system has problems, no more government is not the answer. we need less.

Not everyone has the means to pay for their own healthcare at the current rate, that is why millions of american citizens go without and the taxpayers foot the bill anyway.

The fact that the taxpayers pay for it is pathetic. Again, people need to be held responsible for their own bills and not depend on the government to take from others. Do you know that of the 40 million or so uninsured, some estimate about 10-12 million of those to be illegals? And millions more are younger, who can afford health insurance, but choose not to because they have so few medical expenses. How would a mandated system help them. By forcing them to 'buy' something they don't want or need? What about the millions that 'can't' afford insurance because they are too busy buying HDTV's and expensive cars? Yeah, lets dish out more money to cover them as well.

Socialized medicine is nothing more than theft. Taking tax money from those that can afford it and giving it to those that can't.