DISQUS

GeorgeSorwell · 5 months ago

By the way, from Nate Silver, a post called George F. Will Admits Public Option Will Cut Costs

shpilk katz · 5 months ago

Health care is a basic human right, at least in the civilized world [in Canada, Western Europe, and even in parts of Asia]. Only in America do issues of life and death get titrated in favor of the almighty dollar.

Djshay's mother is lucky to have a child helping to support her.

From the tone of this snarky post and the greedy self serving responses, it appears that those who don't have children, or relatively wealthy children must necessarily die in the streets. Here's a news blast for you bozos .. the era of greedy libertarianism is over. 70% of Americans want a public option, and nearly 50% have indicated single payer in some form is something they could approve of.

lurxst · 5 months ago

That was pretty nifty satire Jazz. How about we focus on the real though,

Children and Dental caries

Although dental caries (tooth decay) is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children aged 6 to 11 years (25%) and adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (59%). Tooth decay is four times more common than asthma among adolescents aged 14 to 17 years (59% compared with 15%).

Once established, the disease requires treatment. A cavity only grows larger and more expensive to repair the longer it remains untreated.

Fewer than 1 in 3 children enrolled in Medicaid received at least one preventive dental service in the past year. Many states provide only emergency dental services to Medicaid-eligible adults.

Many adults also have untreated tooth decay—28% of those aged 35 to 44 years and 18% of those aged 65 years and older.

The most prevalent chronic health problem among kids. Kids with cavities underperform in school, miss a lot of school, make parents miss work because they are caring for a sick kid, develop other behavioral difficulties and remain at risk for other worse oral health conditions.

Stats once again courtesy of the CDC, bane of right wing "we've got the best healthcare in the world" talking points.

TheLid · 5 months ago

Jazz can I be the Pony Czar?

djshay · 5 months ago

I think this post epitomizes the right's lack of understanding or even attempting to understand the healthcare debate going on now. Yes, I can appreciate the humor in this this post, but as someone on the front lines of the healthcare debate, I can't laugh. My mother is 63 and has had 4 heart attacks, has diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD, arthritis, and various other ailments that make it impossible for her to work. She has been waiting for 2 years to get on disability/medicaid so that she can be covered for her 9 prescriptions she takes per month. The Plavix she is on runs roughly $200.00 a month and that is just for one prescription, never mind the other 8 that amount to a total out of pocket cost of around $1500.00 a months for a woman who is not working and has no insurance. The last quote for private insurance was around $2000.00 a month. And there are millions more just like her who would benefit greatly from health care reform, especially a public option. But as a general rule of thumb, conservatives lack the empathy to think of the people in these situations and would prefer them to be swept under a rug and highlight the examples of people gaming the system. If it was your mother, wouldn't you want there to be something available for her?

casualobserver · 5 months ago

If it was your mother, wouldn't you want there to be something available for her?

I would be working my tail off to pay her bills instead of typing on a computer in the middle of the day looking for someone else to step in and take over my filial responsibilities.

When you demonstrate (or at least, acknowledge) personal responsibilities, I'll start feeling guilty about not having enough empathy.

djshay · 5 months ago

Wow. I am at work right now and I currently do pay ALL her bills and mine too. You're quite the @sshole. My only hope is that someday you are left if this situation and someone just like you tells you tough s*it.

Jazz · 5 months ago

"I would be working my tail off to pay her bills instead of typing on a computer in the middle of the day"

But.. but.. but... my job IS to sit home and type on my computer in the middle of the day!

GeorgeSorwell · 5 months ago

If your mother was one of the 46 million Americans who lack health insurance, I'm sure you would be working your tail off.

djshay · 5 months ago

@GeorgeSorwell. I am at work. Why is it that you think that if you have a decent paying job you have nothing to worry about? I make good money, but I also pay close to $2000.00 a month in medical expenses for my mother plus mortgage, car payment, car insurance, house insurance, utilities and a credit card. And while I make good money, it's well below a 6 figure income.

GeorgeSorwell · 5 months ago

Djshay--

My comment was meant to be supportive of you, in response to Casualobserver.

I apologize for my lack of clarity.

djshay · 5 months ago

Sorry for that @GeorgeSorwell. My hackles were raised. Accept my humble apology.

GeorgeSorwell · 5 months ago

Djshay--

No problem--I should have been clearer.

DLS · 5 months ago

"Health care is a basic human right"

It never has been, is not, and never will be. It is an entitlement of people in the nations you listed, and that in no way indicates or implies it "should" [sic] be the case here in the USA. Merely, there is a large fraction of the population who would like it here, too, or don't necessarily want it but would accept it, and would be willing to pay for it and see it made an entitlement and something we choose government to provide for us, too.

Just so you know the truth...

DLS · 5 months ago

Jazz, note that a bloated army of new workers can be raised to care for and maintain the lands where the ponies live, as well as build and maintain the structures like stalls and fences. Unemployment solved! (Any residual unemployment would be cured by banning machinery on farms and forcing all work there to be done by hand or using these ponies for motive power.)

Jazz · 5 months ago

DLS:: "Any residual unemployment would be cured by banning machinery on farms and forcing all work there to be done by hand or using these ponies for motive power."

Dude. These ponies are not to be used for menial labor. What kind of monster are you? We can have people pull the plows if you just redesign the harnesses.

DLS · 5 months ago

Jazz -- I admit I was wrong, and I apologize. We do not want to offend PETA, nor any organizations (labor unions, employment activists, even ACORN if we give the people a "living wage") who want full or at least maximum employment of people, not replacements or substitutions for this!