The purpose of government

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Originally Posted by DEwey

Mark,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. I appreciate the dialog.

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It's a real pleasure, I've been enjoying the dialogue too.

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Originally Posted by DEwey

I have to admit that I was quite surprised to see that UK allows the public tax money to exit stage southeast and go to France for medical treatments. Very interesting.

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Yes, this is a relatively recent (two years ago?) development after a couple of court cases forced the governments' hand. You see, apparently we're in a European Union which is supposed to have free borders wrt trade and labour, allowing the totally fluid movement of people and capital across borders. You can't be a part of such a Union and then stop people from seeking alternative healthcare in another part of it, especially if taxes have been paid! (Or so the courts felt, anyway.)

I'm just going to skip commenting on all the medical BS between the original post and here.

Great quote!!!

It's a shame that we have allowed our federal government to fall so far from its purpose. I think we are between seven and eight on Joe's list.

In fact I am of the firm belief that if the party furthest from the original truths wins this election we need to start over. I know who the first against the wall should be too. In fact here is a chance that the other party might put us in the position where the only solution is the same. Very very depressing.

Despite the "throw your vote away" thinking I will be forced in this election to vote my intellect and go third party.


Back to the Medical BS: What can be more limiting to freedom than the government putting a monetary value on your life as they do in the UK. Who decides when that value drops to ZERO? thats right! the government does.

The right to Life, Liberty and the Persuit of happiness; WORTH DYING FOR or killing for.

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Originally Posted by Wildtim

Back to the Medical BS: What can be more limiting to freedom than the government putting a monetary value on your life as they do in the UK. Who decides when that value drops to ZERO? thats right! the government does.

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Weeelllll, that's not quite what I wrote. The government puts a value on certain treatments. It doesn't put a value on your life. You will be treated, guaranteed. You will receive tried and tested (internationally) medicines, services, and procedures (in fact, cutting edge procedures in the case of the UK).

What you won't get is any treatment you want. I.e. medicine A may lead to a 5% better prognosis that medicine B, but costs 500% more. In a perfect world you'd want to hear "Heck, that doesn't matter, let's fund it" but resources are limited, so you have to manage them accordingly.

I don't know how it works, but I'm guessing you can buy a range of medical cover in the US, from basic to Platinum Silver Bells and Whistles cover. Everyone who makes a decision to buy anything less than the top grade cover is exercising the same principle as the UK government -- namely, you have fixed resources, you gotta eat as well, something has to give.

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Originally Posted by majurey

Weeelllll, that's not quite what I wrote. The government puts a value on certain treatments. It doesn't put a value on your life. You will be treated, guaranteed. You will receive tried and tested (internationally) medicines, services, and procedures (in fact, cutting edge procedures in the case of the UK).

What you won't get is any treatment you want. I.e. medicine A may lead to a 5% better prognosis that medicine B, but costs 500% more. In a perfect world you'd want to hear "Heck, that doesn't matter, let's fund it" but resources are limited, so you have to manage them accordingly.

I don't know how it works, but I'm guessing you can buy a range of medical cover in the US, from basic to Platinum Silver Bells and Whistles cover. Everyone who makes a decision to buy anything less than the top grade cover is exercising the same principle as the UK government -- namely, you have fixed resources, you gotta eat as well, something has to give.

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Yes but you choose based on your judgment, your requirements, and your needs and not some pastie faced government worker who could care less about you and your needs!

JMS, where's your grammar- you mean couldn't care less;):p

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Originally Posted by Quick Orange

JMS, where's your grammar- you mean couldn't care less;):p

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Alright X, you got me!

Heh, well, in this case I think it's warranted- the EU couldn't care less about its people.

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Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Heh, well, in this case I think it's warranted- the EU couldn't care less about its people.

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:roflmao:D

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Originally Posted by Wildtim

The right to Life, Liberty and the Persuit of happiness; WORTH DYING FOR or killing for.

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Absolutely.
"The Tree of Liberty must from time to time be watered with the Blood of Kings and Patriots," Thomas Jefferson.
Guys, he wasn't kidding.
Nor was he kidding when he said that it was the right of the people to overthrow their governments and start anew.

Now, I'm not planning any violent overthrows but I am saying that over time, liberties diminish and revolutions do occur. I think we have opportunities to act with non-voiolence and within the structure of the political process. But we had better realize what is going on and react now before the point of no return.

On that happy note, I am going to go watch some pre-game. ;)

Anyone else hearing a funny clicking noise when they use their telephone? ;)

James.