I saw Sicko this weekend. Let me say that first, I hate Michael Moore. I find him annoying and heavy handed. His latest movie has caused the usual controversy, plus some. Including the threat of confiscating the movie because of a visit to Cuba. (AAS)
As someone that has worked in the healthcare industry for over a decade, I can't refute his facts. In spite of all our problems with the current health care system, I think it's more good than bad. That was until I was humiliated when he took 9/11 rescue workers to Cuba for health care. That was just embarrassing.
You should see the movie. But, it's what the movie does to inspire you to action that counts. We should ask some real questions about what's wrong with the system and what we should do to fix what's wrong.
What a comfortingly simplistic view of people and politics you have, anon. Remember, 4 legs good, two legs bad.
I just love it when people voice strong opinions on movies that they have not seen, books they have not read, works of art they have not experienced.
Makes it easy to weed out the blowhards and the idiots.
I've been in healthcare for 30 years. It is an industry, not a right. Not even mentioned in the constitution. People want to get paid....yes, even doctors and nurses. The problem is we have created a culture based on entitlements. Everyone wants the very best physician and hospital and they refuse to pay for it. They feel it is their right to take it for free.
I know of people right now sitting on hospital bills of $2 million - they want to just live in the hospital. Color TV, clean sheets. Unfortunately the insurance companies will never be highly regarded, but they add stability to a system that would have otherwise shut it's doors to the poor many many years ago.
Michael Moore is still a communist and a liar. If Sicko follows his past endeavors, then most of it is fabricated or exaggerrated.
Locutor,
I've seen the previews, does that count?
"works of art they have not experienced"
who writes this stuff for you? thanks for the laugh.
dork
the health care system in the u.s. is not perfect. nothing on this earth is perfect. i believe the quality and quantity of health care available in the u.s. exceeds what is available -- even "free" as in canada -- anywhere else on earth. that quality and quantity of medical care has a price tag. is it too high? since insurance rates are a function of health care costs, should we reduce, regulate, ratchet down what providers charge? i don't think so. i WANT that health care available, i WANT the best experts available, the most advanced technology and drugs available. this old line springs to mind: if it's for my family member, spare no expense.
yep, all that costs the "system" -- private pay, health insurance premiums, TAXES for government programs -- it all adds up and that's why the u.s. spends more than anyone else. we also have more.
pinkdome is right: the system needs fixing, needs it badly. but tell me, what has government "fixed" ever that worked better later?
txasslm:
The federal government did pretty well in the 50's and 60's with Civil Rights: "separate but equal" and Jim Crow laws got abolished.
I'd say that's a definite improvement.
Que the violins.
Fuck Michael Moore, he is nothing more than a parasite profiting off other people's misery.
Do we have a perfect healthcare system? don't be retarded, nobody does.
By the way, the idea that we don't provide healthcare and benefits to people that are uninsured or underinsured is a myth, only people that have prestine medical coverage and who have never had to go to an ER in the middle of the night believe this. Which would explain the left's love of promotion on this issue.
Also, don't suppose Big Mike happened to mention the millions of dollars of free medicine that the big bad drug companies are providing our poorest citizens?
Haven't seen the movie, don't need to, I get it: All Reps=bad, all Dems=good, Got it.