The Democratic Party: Failing to learn from other people's mistakes since 1964.

I had an MRI a few years ago, and it saved me from an unnecessary surgery. I had appendicitis symptoms, but on the wrong side of my abdomen. It turned out to be appendagitis, where fat on the intestine becomes twisted and inflamed. Usually appendagitis is discovered when surgeons go in to remove an appendix and find it healthy. Instead of a multi-thousand-dollar operation, I had a multi-thousand-dollar scan followed by a dollar of ibuprofen. So, I'm an example of someone who benefited from an expensive piece of machinery.

Ibuprofen really is a wonder drug. At our old HMO they recommended it for everything in lieu of other treatment.

On a serious note, though Dr. Doig's comments are consistent with my ideology, I note that the same pressures that make politicians feel they need to "do something" apply to her new position. If she said "everything is great, I'm going to have an easy few years at this post with nothing to do" she wouldn't have been picked.

A Canadian acquaintance, on a forum that I frequent (under another name) has been trying to see a neuro doctor since the beginning of the year. He has unexplained fainting and muscle-weakness spells, severe enough that he hasn't been able to work very much. He's the owner and sole proprietor of a repair shop, but since he's had this problem, he's lost most of his business because he can't turn work around on a schedule. His house has been foreclosed on, and he's now living in a cheap apartment. And he's still waiting for that doctor's appointment.

Mr. Baker is incorrect. None of the systems being proposed are single payer in the Canadian sense. The Canadian system is comprehensive. What's being proposed in the US is a single payer system for everyone not in Government or the public sector.

Anyone who has held public office, is a current or retired public sector employee, or is a member of a preferred union will still have access to Tiffany healthcare. They'll have their own hospitals and clinics and their own medical corps trained to use the technologies that are restricted from public healthcare.

You'll notice that many of the same people who are advocating for a 'public option' are unwilling to participate in that option.

This story is absolutely typical of what has happened to my friends throughout Canada ... no matter how much the Obama Kool Aid drinkers wish to deny it's so.

I know I read this awhile back and I am hoping some one else can point out where it was. According to what I read that if you throw out deaths caused intentionally (e.g. someone being shot) that the US has a much higher life span -- longer then Canada and some other places. Hence, US Health care is likely superior and only because we have more violence does it appear inferior.

Amy might want to post this video: http://bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/21921

IMHO Bob Wright seems to be one of those who has drank more than a little of the Obama Kool-Aid. With people like him, Obama & Pelosi could bring in practically anything and he won't raise a peep!!

More info on the growth of private healthcare in Canada here:

http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/681883

The incoming president of the Canadian Medical Association says this country's health-care system is sick and doctors need to develop a plan to cure it.

That is all well and fine if the doctors are the management. In my (real) work the Chemists are not in charge. Even more so with my US counterparts working for the government.

"They were willing to pay for one."

Wonderful, if they were able.

Sucks for those who can't. Especially if they live in the U.S.

Do you really dream of a world where wealth confers no blessings? Why do you speak of it here, instead of in terms of emotional attachment (or time to harvest same), or education, or musical enrichment, or literacy, or ...

Whassup, LYT?