Pete wrote on Aug 15^th, 2008 at 7:26am:


And your point is here?  I don't necessarily agree with the 21 year old age limit here, but, to my knowledge, there are many places in the US that you can drink on Sunday (in public places).  However, I don't think that drinking in public places is something that elevates anyone to a superior level of conciousness.

Pete wrote on Aug 15^th, 2008 at 7:26am:


Don't know where you're getting this information, but unless one plea bargains, EVERYONE is entitled to a trial.

Pete wrote on Aug 15^th, 2008 at 7:26am:


Again, your point is?  I live in a death penalty state and in more than one instance, I'd be glad to assist in placing that needle.

Pete wrote on Aug 15^th, 2008 at 7:26am:


You've got t bassackwards here, my friend.  It's the liberals that want to *expand* on social services, not the conservatives.

Pete wrote on Aug 15^th, 2008 at 7:26am:


Very possibly not.  Exit, stage left.

Helen, aka LeLimey, asked me to post (as a Brit who spends a tremendous amount of time of US soil) that she definitely as an opinion about this thread, but she is going out of town and won't be able to respond until she gets back home (Paul's).

I don't know why I'm getting into this fray, but I am.

I'm not saying that I want socialized medicine or that my government take care of all of my medical needs at no out of pocket cost to me.  What I am saying, as one of those "middle class" American's, with no employer sponsored insurance plan, I am having to buy my own personal  health insurance.  It covers no drugs.  It gives me limited ($75,000) coverage for only catastrophic care, such as maiming, cancer, heart attack, lengthy hospitalization.  I have no doctor visits covered.  No co-insurance.  No dental, eye care, nothing.  It pays only if I'm hospitalized with a biggie.  For this privilege, I am paying, just for little old me alone - not my husband  $475.00 per month.  Plus the fact, that nothing will be covered if one of those "biggies" happens to involving my knees because of pre-existing conditions.  My insurance is "rated" because at the age of 18 I destroyed one knee and damaged the other in a skiing fall.  I'm 62 years old. 

I think this is atrocious. 

My son-in-law was severely injured in an accident a few years ago (his first motorcycle accident - he had his second one a year ago).  He was almost killed, spent weeks in the hospital, seven surgeries (he's got as much metal in his body as an airplane), and almost a year in a wheelchair.  He was a young man, 20 years old, with a good but low paying job that he could no longer do - hence, no income.  His hospital bills were pushing $600,000, and his company health insurance paid only a fraction of it because that's all that was offered, and all he could afford to pay at the time.  He had to file bankruptcy which still shows on his credit report, interfering with his ability to establish credit, buy a car, buy a home with my daughter.  His bankruptcy will fall off in a few months, yet he was financially penalized for for seven years for something that was not his fault from the beginning. 

I think this is atrocious. 

The health care system in the US is broken and in need of a major overhaul.  Why do we pay $500 for prescription meds here, when we can buy the exact same drug in Canada for $150?  Why should we pay exorbitant insurance premiums for bare minimum coverage because of something that happened to our bodies 45 years ago (knee)?

Why??? The GD almighty DOLLAR!  That's why.

I love my country - wouldn't want to live anywhere else.  But, I think it's gotten to the point where my country loves big business more than it loves me.  I'm more than willing to pay increased taxes to my country if my country will make sure that I'm not left in bankruptcy and destitute should I have an illness or an accident.  Raise my taxes and give me low cost insurance premiums for adequate coverage, give me low cost prescription meds, with the balance subsidized by the government through my taxes. 

Off soapbox now.

Let the flaming begin.

Sandy

Quote:


Brew,

You are absolutely right, and that a sad commentary.  My husband, hopefully my two daughters, and my dog love me as much as I love them.  My cat??? I'm disappointed - she only loves herself

To me the term "love" means unconditional - no matter what. 

So, OK, I'll change what I said above.  I "conditionally" love my country and it "unconditionally" does not love me back. 

I feel better now  

Sandy