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Cynthetiq · 07-24-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

Thanks Martian... I suspected you might have an interesting take on this issue.

Ultimately for me, when talking about this with more conservative types such as Cyn or Atredies, it comes down to bootstraps, choices and self motivation. I do understand that position but don't agree with it in all situations.

I like the idea of paying a little more in taxes for peace of mind. I also see pooling resources (i.e. taxes) for the benefit of the wider public as a good thing when it comes to things like health care. I like the idea that some of my taxes help to keep Martian alive.

That's an unfair characaterization. I said SOME people.

There are other people who are disabled or have some other chronic or debilitating health issue. They are not the norm. The state has some responsiblity for them, and from what I see and understand there are social programs and NGOs that have stepped in to make up the difference.

I'm speaking about the bohemian who chooses that lifestyle to be carefree. Well part of being carefree has some consequences to that decision. It is not much different than me deciding to stay in the corporate workforce has concesquences to my lifestyle.

Lifebeat the music industry fights against AIDS gives out money to those who've worked in the music industry. They don't give you money for healthcare, they give you money to pay your electricity, rent, and other things.

There are other NGOs like this that operate for cancer patients.

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaya

I should explain that in Iceland, it's not "free" even when you are paying taxes--and frankly, there is a real shortage of doctors here, which is another problem in itself (and creates the long waiting lists for non-emergency care). I still pay a co-pay when I go to the doctor--though it's never been more than $50, and once I reach an annual cap of paying $200 or so in co-pay, the government will give me a pretty big discount, so that I shouldn't have to pay more than that in any one year. Does that make sense? There isn't a discount in prescriptions, either--but there may be for the elderly (I just don't know enough about that).

But I will say that if I could choose a country in which to get sick and possibly die, the US would not be at the top of my list (unless I had a ton of money to get the best care--but I never assume that that's going to be my case, because it's so rarely the case for the average individual). Sure, it's a great place to work corporate, but what a price to pay! I don't want to have to work for the man just to make sure that I don't go broke taking care of my aging body. That's something that I appreciate about nationalized health care--health care is never something that really impacts your life, here in Iceland. It's just THERE, a net for when you fall. There is no sense of the fear that many Americans have about those life-or-death questions, when someone falls ill--here, you know the state will take care of you. It relieves an immense burden on the psyche, I think.

And yes, I'm willing to pay whatever taxes it takes, to provide that level of national health care, even if I'm in perfectly good health. It's just part of my life philosophy. No man is an island--even in Iceland, they've learned that.

And see you're willing to make that concious choice. You've stated there are drawbacks to living in Iceland. Would you stay there because the healthcare is what it is?

My point is as always, there are consequrences to choices, good and bad. It can't be all good, if it was, then we'd be living in utopia.