Interesting thought from a well-known conservative...
http://www.frumforum.com/waterloo
I saw that quote from him on the BBC web site this morning, reporting the republican reaction.
It is rational in a political sense - but it only seems rational in terms of the weirdness of US politics.
It is still whacked out.
The right wing in the US is irrational and crazy- I don't even see them as right wing in my spectrum - more like national socialists.
They are a bunch of media demagogues followed by ill educated drones.
But that is not the half of it,
The sheer disinformation that passes as debate material in the US is incredible from the right wing.
They are blatant liars.
it is pretty incredible.
The NHS got chewed up in this recent politics in a way that is pretty offensive to people in the UK.
Michael Moore made claims about the NHS that painted it in too rosy a way, it is not that good.
But the right responded with total lies and falsehoods - death squads FFS deciding who is for the chop.
The NHS is far far closer to Moore's depiction than the ridiculous invention of the right wing in the US.
costs half as much and on the gross outcomes it is better than the US - we live longer - doh.
And you can take out private health care if you like - it is not either or.
Much like defence, policing and education, health care is one of those things you cannot consume as an individual.
there is a social aspect to it - you buy it collectively and will have to pay for the uninsured anyway while paying for a a bloated bureaucracy involved in restoration of money involved through legal recourse - yes lawyers.
The US spends about twice the UK per capita ( just in case someone stupid wants to say - but we have 6x the popluation)
about 25% of that extra spend is on administration of the system - chasing ambulances cases.
It is warped and not fit for purpose.
The idea that it represents some affront to principle can only have been hatched by vested interests.
The system is unprincipled at it's core - there are no principles at stake
The NHS has flaws but it is principled - the principles are easy to state
That it meet the needs of everyone
That it be free at the point of delivery
That it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay
The fundamental principle is beyond that - and based on the same principle that the US right likes to cite with respect to abortion.
A Judeo Christian tradition.
The US Right only wants to give you the right to be born while denying your mother the right to medical care if she can't pay.
and once you are born - you only have a right to die from that point if your parent(s) can't pay.
They then have the cheek to complain about birth rates after as well.
The US right is a fucked up basket case with no foundation in reality beyond guttural irrational rage.
It is economically illiterate as well - which is why it historically has been fucking the economy - borrowing from the future - like the 5 trillion rise in debt under GWB.
There are no Republican Principles - there hasn't been for decades - it is a reactionary party based on a motley collection of prejudice and rejection.
There are no Principles period.
The republican party is Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck now.
Bullshit.
Oh yeah - meant to say,
I will be voting for the "conservatives" in the coming elections - that is the party on the right in the UK.
Economically my self interest - I voted in my self interested every time I have voted in my life - I am not rich but I make reasonable money - like $200k+ per year,
But the existing US health system just sucks and is offensive to me.