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 9 of 9)
121. My wife is terminally ill. She was treated for cancer in 2002, but it reaturned two years ago and will likely take her life in a matter of weeks now. Through it all, she and I came to appreciate the care she received. We're old enough to remember when literally nothing could be done about most forms of cancer. 21st century American medicine extended her life.
Do any of you folks who complain so bitterly ever think of the advances in medicine we've seen in just one lifetime? Can't you see that you make perfection the enemy of good? For those of you young enough, go earn an RN or MD and participate in bettering the system you loathe. If you can't or won't do that, forget for amoment about what you lack and ask yourself why Americans these days live longer than their grandparents did.
For anyone with a serious illness, it is indeed a blessing to live in this country at this time.
wmmorgon at 5:27AM on Jun 22nd 2007
122. please this guy isnt even an american,who the heck cares what a fat canadian loser has to say about out country, if he hates america so much WHY IS HE STILL HERE???? send him to some third world country where he will die of a horrible disease,good riddance,
alex at 12:35PM on Jun 22nd 2007
123. You're mistaken. Moore's films are not "premised" on lies. You may feel some of Moore's statements are lies, but the "film premise," the situational logic driving the plot, is true. This may be semantics, but you're a writer, right? SICKO's "film premise" is that our US health care system is driven by profit. That's the truth, whether you agree with the it or not.
Alma Kesling at 10:33AM on Jun 23rd 2007
124. Michael Moore's a faggot. He's Rosie O'Donnel's hero.
No one should listen to this pervert.
joe sixpack at 8:59PM on Jun 25th 2007
125. I admire Mr. Moore for being the only one to expose what I consider the truth!!! I had heard much talk about Fahrenheit 911 but did not watch it until a straight to DVD documentary came out called Fahren"hype" 911(or something of that nature). I thought if someone(or the american government), created a documentary in response to another documentary, then somebody has got to be afraid of the world learning the truth!!! Perhaps the powers that be know Michael Moore is not just filmmaking, but exposing things we're not suppose to know!
CBJacks at 12:09AM on Jun 26th 2007
126. And to the Doctor who wrote about 'letting nature take its natural course' in regards to the elderly, should be investigated. Sounds like a possible Jack Kervorkian.
CBJacks at 12:17AM on Jun 26th 2007
127. I just want to remind everyone that is in favor of a government healthcare to really stop and think about the ramifications of supporting this type of system.
In order for the government to "pay" your medical bills, you will have to go to the doctor or hospital of the government's choosing. More than likely, you will have to go to a healthcare facility that is closest to where you live.
Yes, the government paying for everyone's healthcare sounds really nice, but ask someone who is currently on Medicare or Medicaid how they like it (because that is retty much what you will be signing up for). Whaat about if you choose to pay for your own insurance plan? Do you think that taxes should be taken out of your check to pay for someone else's insurance? Wake up people!!! This will take more money out of the hands of hardworking Americans and put it into the hands of the government...who by the way isn't always that great at managing money. Look at social security...We all pay for that, but I bet the social security system will be bankrupt by the time I need to draw it (in about 35 more years).
Dee J at 2:26PM on Jun 27th 2007
128. this reply is for Bob U. #123....I think you misunderstand the "Republican way". Republicans want to keep more of the money that they earn. What is wrong with that. If you work hard, shouldn't you be able to keep more of your money. Why should you have to pay higher taxes just because someone else is lazy/poor/uneducated. Their finances are because they worked their butt off to get where they are at? Think about it. If you came up with the next biggest invention that took a couple years before you became a millionaire, do you think it would be right to take more of your money and give it to somebody on welfare who just chose to drop out of school, did not get and education and is just popping out babies..NO it's not. Republicans are not always right, neither or Democrats, no body gets it right all the time. But one thing I can say about the Republicans is that they believe if you earned it, you have the right to keep it.
Please excuse me if I have offended anyone, I was trying to make a point about society in general. Someone who drops out of school will not have the same earning power as the person who has a degree. But the person with the degree is penalized for trying to make a better future for himself.
Check on it Bob..you would be surprised to find out that in the past, Bush has made less and paid more taxes than Clinton...put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Dee J at 2:02PM on Jun 27th 2007
129. I've seen the movie. There's a reason Fox News calls it brilliant. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,273875,00.html
Before you make an ass out of yourself like The Blowhard Thompson, watch the film for yourself. Moore has tapped a vein in the nation's conscience.
cktail at 11:45PM on Jun 29th 2007
130. Thank God the right is willing to stand up for our benevolent insurance companies!
Daniel K at 5:33PM on Jun 27th 2007