1. So the choices for reforming our health care system is either to listen to a Castro cheering Stalinist or a president who is a shill for the for profit health care industry. That's like having to choose between typhus and tuberculosis. No thanks.

eric at 3:15PM on Jul 13th 2007

2. From what I understand, Canada, Britain and France are not communist countries.

Jeff at 2:56PM on Jul 13th 2007

3. If you are interested in socialized health care please note that many are escaping from the aformentioned countries because of the onerous tax burdens to support the socialist programs. I am not saying that our health care system doesn't need fixing, what I am saying is that I believe that most Americans would balk at paying 85% tax rates to support the tremendous cost of government delivered health care. The British brain drain and to a somewhat lesser extent the brain drain from Canada into the US is directly attributable to the onerous tax burdens. Nothing is free. The cost is just shifted from the private sector to the taxpayer. Some of you who are clammering for socialized medicine will be the first to scream bloody murder when you paychecks are eviscerated.

eric at 3:53PM on Jul 13th 2007

4. I am a Canadian and I DON"T pay 85% of my pay for taxes, however I do have medicare so if I get sick there is no need for me to worry about possibly losing everything. Why a supposidly civilized country does not have a government health plan for all its citizens is beyond my comprehension. In addition to have 50 million people in your country without any type of health insurance, what can I say, I'm speechless.

Wilf at 6:33AM on Sep 11th 2007

5. Eric,

People escaping from Canada, Britain, Germany, France, etc.? 85% tax rate? Have you forgotten to take your anti-psychotic medicine today?

Joe Bob at 7:37PM on Jul 14th 2007

6. Statistics about average wait time to get medical service are used to argue that, at least by that measure, things are better in the US.

I would like to point out the fallacy in that argument. The figures for average wait time in the US do not take into account those who have no coverage, and thus can't afford to ever see a doctor. You could argue that that something like 15% of the US population waits their entire life to see the doctor -- finally getting to see one when they die (the one who fills out the death certificate). If you took that into account, the average wait time in the US for the entire population would be many years!

Joe Bob at 7:50PM on Jul 14th 2007

7. Yeah!! I'm Canadian and self-employed, and I essentially didn't have to pay taxes at all this year, because I have been investing so much of my money back into my business. Our government supports that kind of activity by letting me keep my money for business growth, and by providing the basic security of body (army, police, fire, healthcare) I need in order to be economically productive. So how is 0% tax (this year, I'll pay more later as my income grows), plus awesome health care sound to you? I actually have a chronic health condition. Do you think the Canadian GDP is stronger with me dirt-poor paying into what is basically a financial instrument for the very rich (health insurance companies), or me offering services and creating new opportunities within the value-web of companies I do business with (thanks to my well-maintained health)? AND HOW COMMUNIST DOES ALL THAT SOUND TO YOU!!!

GOD some of you folks have been brainwashed by your own aristocracy!!!

Cantwo at 6:32PM on Jul 19th 2007