Garfield1966
Veteran
Agreed that given the cost of living it appears a bargain for us. How ever, could the same not be said of our medical system? With the exception of the very rich or those who are fortunate enough to have health care coverage, basic medical care, much less major surgery is out of reach of the average american.
The basic point I was attempting to make is that the argument that was made above about some one living in Germany wanting our system rather than their own usually falls apart once they see the bill. When they realize that in order to get the liver/kidney/heart transplant or other major surgery that they will literally have to sell everything that they own, place them selves into debt to the tune of several hundred thousands of dollars just to live a healthy life so that they may work them selves to death trying to pay it off or more likely, file bankruptcy and stick it to the health care industry. That hardly seems like an efficient system to me.
I would far rather pay higher taxes up front (assuming the taxes actually went into health care, road repair, public transportation ... etc) than have to worry about whether or not I get ill and will be able to afford to get healthy. My mother received some of the best health care I have ever seen for a price that a US hospital would not even let you in the front door for.
IMO, it's a matter of looking forward decades verses looking to tomorrow. Having low fuel cost may seem like a good idea for the here and now but it does nothing to motivate us to find a cure for our addiction and move on to the next step. China is awakening. Their need for resources will out strip ours. They own such a huge part of our debit that is frightening. The more folks who need a single resource mean the price of that resource will increase. Better to find an alternative now than scramble for one when it is too late.
The basic point I was attempting to make is that the argument that was made above about some one living in Germany wanting our system rather than their own usually falls apart once they see the bill. When they realize that in order to get the liver/kidney/heart transplant or other major surgery that they will literally have to sell everything that they own, place them selves into debt to the tune of several hundred thousands of dollars just to live a healthy life so that they may work them selves to death trying to pay it off or more likely, file bankruptcy and stick it to the health care industry. That hardly seems like an efficient system to me.
I would far rather pay higher taxes up front (assuming the taxes actually went into health care, road repair, public transportation ... etc) than have to worry about whether or not I get ill and will be able to afford to get healthy. My mother received some of the best health care I have ever seen for a price that a US hospital would not even let you in the front door for.
IMO, it's a matter of looking forward decades verses looking to tomorrow. Having low fuel cost may seem like a good idea for the here and now but it does nothing to motivate us to find a cure for our addiction and move on to the next step. China is awakening. Their need for resources will out strip ours. They own such a huge part of our debit that is frightening. The more folks who need a single resource mean the price of that resource will increase. Better to find an alternative now than scramble for one when it is too late.