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[OM] Re: OT colonoscopy

Subject: [OM] Re: OT colonoscopy
From: Steve Dropkin <steve@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:26:17 -0600
Andrew Fildes wrote:

> There's an element of blame the victim ideology in the use of  
> 'willing' Bill. I'd rather think that the essence of a 'civil'  
> society is its willingness to look after those who can't fend for  
> themselves and they are many for all sorts of reasons. The example of  
> your unfortunate friend is a good case.
> Of course some people exploit the system and some juries/courts  
> acquit the guilty. It is in the nature of a fair system that you err  
> on the side of benevolence.
> But then, I'm just another grumpy liberal in a nation where that's  
> not an insult.
> Andrew Fildes

I cannot see how it is in the best interests of American society to 
let children go without prenatal care or treatment for childhood 
diseases, or for adults to suffer from chronic diseases for lack of 
  access to earlier diagnosis or appropriate treatment.

It also strikes me as ironic that American business can complain so 
loudly about the cost of providing health insurance for employees 
and yet treat a more equitable solution as some sort of failed 
socialist plot. General Motors estimates that approximately US$1,500 
of the cost of each vehicle they make in the U.S. pays for 
employee/retiree health coverage -- a cost that Toyota, Honda, 
Volkswagen, and Volvo don't pay (directly) in their home countries.

GM may be an extreme example. But businesses of all sizes across the 
U.S. are saddled with a considerable (and increasing) cost of 
business that their foreign competition is not. So how well _is_ 
this system working for everyone?

While I very strongly believe that we do create our own realities, 
some of us simply are less able to do so than others by virtue of 
age, infirmity, or social status. The power held by corporate 
America also holds the incumbency to do what is best for the society 
that enables them. Hoping people just won't get sick is not an option.

But then, like Andrew, I'm just another grumpy liberal. :-)

Steve

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