Kyle Smith of the New York Post writes a nice takedown of Michael Moore's new move "Sicko." The movie has not yet been released, so we don't yet know for sure whether, like previous Moore films, it will be premised on a lie. As Smith notes, "the central idea of 'Bowling for Columbine' -- that the killers were subconsciously driven to their actions by the presence of a weapons manufacturing plant in Littleton ---turned out to be not only conceptually insane but literally untrue." In fact, the plant did not make what Moore called "weapons of mass destruction" but rather space launch vehicles for TV satellites. Similarly, "Roger and Me" presented Moore as unable to secure an interview with the GM chief Roger Smith. But, this "was also a 90-minute lie: Moore did talk to Roger Smith, a fact revealed by Ralph Nader."
"Sicko" apparently is built around stories of people who got the run-around from insurance companies. Such stories should be enough easy to find, so perhaps Moore was able to resist his usual practice of making things up. However, as Smith's review shows, these sorts of anecdotes are beside the point when it comes to rational debate about health care, given the ease with which one can find similarly chilling anecdotes about the health case systems Moore extols -- those of Canada, France, and England. (For a great send-up of the Canadian system, watch the excellent film "Invasion of the Barbarians" by leftist director Denys Aracand).
Smith provides plenty of evidence that should make us pause before seeking to emulate the health care systems of Canada, France, and England (much less that of Cuba which also draws particular praise from Moore). That doesn't mean that our system can't be improved or even that, ultimately, we shouldn't borrow elements from the system of one or more of these countries. It just means that Moore's film, if Smith has desccribed it fairly, is irrelevant to serious debate about these matters.
Reader Comments ( Page 8 of 9)
106. I love to read liberal ranting's. The hate and hypocrisy from the left is always amazing. The Democrats and the Republicans in political office are some of the wealthiest people in the nation. You think rich Democrats really give a damn about health care for the poor? How many of the 12 million illegal Mexicans in this country get this liberal "insurance for all plan"? Who is going to pay for it? How much more of a strain can this country take? Well, dream on lefties! This once great country will be bankrupt in 50 years anyway.
Saul Greenberg at 2:46AM on Jun 21st 2007
107. The movie hasn't been released yet. At least wait tell you see it to make your comment that is was unpatriotic and full of lies. Or that it was inspiring ahttp://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/half_of_nation_outraged_at nd eye opening.
Dan at 4:17AM on Jun 21st 2007
108. What the Democrats do to gain political power, exploit the most underprivileged in our society, Michael Moore does to gain personal wealth and power. Moore is irrelevant because he can't hide the fact that he's a loon and a scumbag preying on the weakest in our society.
Robert Byngham at 5:14AM on Jun 21st 2007
109. I admire Mike's courage to expose the deliberate
miscarriage of justice in this present administration. It's unbelievable how so many people can be brainwashed and persuaded to support mass murder, genocide and gross neglect of our health, education and welfare system. God is angry.
Min. Ed Daniels at 11:03AM on Jun 23rd 2007
110. Mike should focus his next movie on the racist Duke case. Nifong was railroaded and (guilty of at least assault) Duke boys was exonerated.
Min. Ed Daniels at 9:40AM on Jun 23rd 2007
111. mr.more is just in for the money and could care less about the little man.he conplanes about a lack of helthcare in this country and contunes to talk shit about our goverment. he violated an embargo on traval and went to cuba to make this film he comes back and he will be laughing all the way to the bank.
everyone should refuse to see his film and protest outside any theatre showing it we are just making this fat big mouthed jerk richer and richer by watching his films. the same helthcare system he's bitching about is keeping his fat ass alive!!!
tom carr at 5:46AM on Jun 21st 2007
112. HEALTH CARE IN CUBA...A HOSPITAL WITH CHICKENS RUNNING THROUGH IT.....
IN FRANCE.....YOU ARE TAXED TO DEATH FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE
IN ENGLAND AND CANADA....YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF IT IS APPROVED AND PUT ON A WAITING LIST............
I WILL STILL CHOOSE AMERICA..........
LINDA at 6:06AM on Jun 21st 2007
113. Take that fat pig Moore and drop him off at a gym. Let him stay there till he looses 100 lbs. Give him a new diet ,new barber and decent clothes . Buy loosing a hundred lbs, getting in shape and staying that way , that fat pig Moore can show by self example and change , how one can lower the cost of health care for all by simply staying healthy .Put down that donut and give me twenty fatboy .
Michael at 6:18AM on Jun 21st 2007
114. I just read the first couple of lines from your blog, and realized that not much else will be bases on facts, only opinions, and only your opinions. Just why is your opinion news? I haven't a clue! I've read middle school papers who write better than that. So who are you screwing to get this trash put on a news link?
Grace at 6:25AM on Jun 21st 2007
115. Ha. I'd bet my whole weeks pay that those of you who are bad mouthing Michael Moore would change your tune in a milisecond if you or someone you love who has no health insurance, finds out they have a dibilitating disease. You people are too fucking stupid to realize you're getting screwed by the system. I only have ONE question....doesn't it stink with your heads up your asses like that all the time???? SUCKERS.
dottie at 6:29AM on Jun 21st 2007
116. Paul Mirengoff--Irrelevant, PERIOD.
dottie at 6:32AM on Jun 21st 2007
117. Moore is not making money on the truth about society, he is making money on stupid people that would remotely believe anything that turncoat on America has to say. He is the sicko. He is a mentally evil person with one purpose to make millions off the dumb people that would support his views and watch his movies......Believe me, that man is for himself and no one else in this country. And people are the fools that would sit in any Movie he made. He is communistic, trying to twist the minds of the unsupecting weak minded people. It you allow his views to influence you, you are a pure fool. I wouldn't give him a dime if he was a begger on the street.!!!!!!!! He's a menace to society.
ecinicola at 7:04AM on Jun 21st 2007
118. Socialism never cures anything its as simple as that.
B-ball fan 11 at 11:28PM on Jun 22nd 2007
119. Phil, your comments are thoughtful and appear to be well researched. I invite you to reach out to me via email that we might discuss further; I see an opportunity to work together for change.
lindabarnes01 at 2:48PM on Jun 21st 2007
120. Greg Oman, I assume when you assert that "Insurance companies are losing money, they are generally making money.." you are referring to my earlier comment about why they raise premiums. Please allow me to clarify: they CLAIM to need to raise premiums in order to continue paying claims to all those who file. Right? Just see what happens to your auto premiums with one claim. My contention is that if they were more efficient in their own operations, that excuse for high premiums would be eliminated. The Bush Admin's cure for the insurance companies' woes is a national healthcare record. Be afraid, folks, be very afraid. I, too, have been a healthcare provider, and now my clients are providers and I see everyday how they're getting screwed by insurers and DON'T bother to fight it. They're too financially strapped to do anything about it. That's why I have a job. The real criminals are the insurance companies, their lobbyists and the politicians that literally let them get away with murder. By the way, I am worried about your last comment about allowing the natural course of live to take it's path.
lindabarnes01 at 2:48PM on Jun 21st 2007