Britons pour love on 'evil' healthcare system

**Valigarmander** · 08-14-2009, 08:51 PM

Britons pour love on 'evil' healthcare system - CNN.com

Quote:

Britons including Prime Minister Gordon Brown have leapt to the defense of their creaking healthcare service after President Barack Obama's plans for a similar system in the United States were branded "evil" by Republicans.

Tens of thousands of people have joined a Twitter group expressing pride in the UK's National Health Service (NHS), which offers free taxpayer-funded medical care to all British residents, while leading politicians have spoken out in support.

Republican former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin earlier this week condemned Obama's plans to introduce a public heath insurance scheme as an "evil" move that would result in "death panels" deciding who would live or die.

Her criticism has been echoed by fellow Republicans in direct attacks on Britain's NHS. In an article, Former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich said British healthcare was run by "Orwellian" bureaucrats who put a price tag on life.

The comments caused a storm of protest in the United Kingdom, with Prime Minister Brown wading into the argument via micro-blogging site Twitter, where a conversation chain, "#welovetheNHS", is generating huge online traffic.

A posting on the 10 Downing Street Twitter site on Wednesday read: "PM: NHS often makes the difference between pain and comfort, despair and hope, life and death. Thanks for always being there."

The message was followed by another, from Brown's wife Sarah, adding: "#welovetheNHS -- more than words can say."

Professor Stephen Hawking, author of "A Brief History of Time", also spoke out in favor of the British system, telling the Guardian newspaper that he owes his life to NHS treatment for the neuro-muscular dystrophy he has suffered from for 40 years.

"I wouldn't be here today if it were not for the NHS," he said. "I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived."

Despite the support, the 51-year-old NHS is regularly the target of criticism at home, with opposition politicians accusing Brown's government of mismanagement resulting in long waiting lists and a "lottery" in deciding who gets life-saving drugs and surgery.

Nevertheless, opposition Conservative Party leader David Cameron also added his voice to the defense campaign with a posting on his party's Web site.

" Millions of people are grateful for the care they have received from the NHS -- including my own family.

"One of the wonderful things about living in this country is that the moment you're injured or fall ill -- no matter who you are, where you are from, or how much money you've got -- you know that the NHS will look after you."

His statement followed comments from one of his own party members backing the Republican criticism of the NHS. Dan Hannan, a Conservative member of the European Parliament reportedly said in an interview that "he wouldn't wish it on anyone."

Interesting.

I've always wondered, for any of you living in Canada, the UK, Australia, or any other industrialized country in the world besides the US, what's it like having universal health care? Does it work? What're the taxes like? What do you think the US should do?

Kargath · 08-14-2009, 09:43 PM

This is definitely within my restriction on commenting.
However, I'll send you a PM when I can, Val.

**Crazyswordsman** · 08-14-2009, 11:12 PM

Most of the attacks on Britain's system are being funded by disgruntled CEO Rick Scott, who I consider to be a mass murderer for closing down hospitals and downsizing/laying off people. -CSM

***Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds*** · 08-14-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

What's it like having universal health care?
Does it work?
What're the taxes like?
What do you think the US should do?

It's awesome and provides care to everyone who needs it; it saves lives.
Absolutely. Do you think there would be so many countries still using it if it didn't work?
Taxes are affordable.
The US should stop crapping itself and adopt the healthcare system ASAP. People like Sarah Palin are already nutjobs; that in itself should tell you something.

I know someone in the US who died from meningitis a few years ago because he didn't want to go to the hospital. Because he didn't want to face a several hundred dollar bill for seeking emergency treatment for something that seemed like a bad case of the flu. When he was rushed to hospital, after growing rapidly more ill and falling unconscious, they couldn't save him, and his family still had to pay hundreds of dollars, even though their son had just died.

Yeah, I think our healthcare is definitely more reasonable.

**Crazyswordsman** · 08-14-2009, 11:39 PM

A lot of people treat Sarah Palin like a god here; good thing I don't live in that part of the country. Still she's overall less popular than Obama. -CSM

***CaptHayfever*** · 08-15-2009, 02:42 AM

^All the Republicans I know despise Palin. Just saying.

Regarding the OP: I'm so glad people who have no share in our health care or electoral systems approve of the health care plan by our elected president.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Lurch1982 · 08-15-2009, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazyswordsman

A lot of people treat Sarah Palin like a god here; good thing I don't live in that part of the country. Still she's overall less popular than Obama. -CSM

Who? I mean outside of the "I love my country but fear my government crowd?"

**LASER BEAR ASSAULT UNIT** · 08-15-2009, 05:23 AM

Our health care system is FANTASTIC.

And if it's the "Evil" one, so ****ing be it.

**Crazyswordsman** · 08-15-2009, 07:09 AM

^^Those people exactly. They're about 20% of the population but they are very loud. -CSM

***Cosmonautical*** · 08-16-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds

I know someone in the US who died from meningitis a few years ago because he didn't want to go to the hospital. Because he didn't want to face a several hundred dollar bill for seeking emergency treatment for something that seemed like a bad case of the flu. When he was rushed to hospital, after growing rapidly more ill and falling unconscious, they couldn't save him, and his family still had to pay hundreds of dollars, even though their son had just died.

Yeah, I think our healthcare is definitely more reasonable.

Justin was a very good friend of mine, and it's a shame that the system was so willing to push him away just because he was hoping to save a few bucks.

I myself once had a very serious skin infection that I could only afford treating after very embarrassingly having to borrow money from my broke mother to get to a doctor's appointment. I couldn't afford the appointment, and I couldn't afford the treatment, even though I was working 5 days a week. Apparently I could afford to pay hundreds to a social security service I will never benefit from, according to the government. Go figure, that money should've covered my own healthcare, but I was required to pay a tax so old people can sit on their asses and gripe about not getting enough of my income until they die.

Lurch1982 · 08-16-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazyswordsman

^^Those people exactly. They're about 20% of the population but they are very loud. -CSM

They aren't anywhere near 20% of even "likely voter" models, let alone the general populous. Single digit fringe group at best.

Metal Man · 08-16-2009, 03:02 PM

The sad thing is that unless some public option is passed here in the US, I just won't have any health care.

Needless to say I don't feel like gambling with my health like that, but apparently some old idiots who don't realize their medicare is also 'socialized medicine' are allowed to try to prevent me from having health care.

I wonder how they'd like it if we took away their own 'socialized medicine' medicare, eh?

Mario271 · 08-16-2009, 03:48 PM

^

Click to view video.

Metal Man · 08-16-2009, 06:53 PM

Well yeah, why don't they just remove medicare if they hate government health care so much?

Heck, it'd cause most of the screamers to die off, since they'd no longer have that health care keeping them in shape or money to appear in all these town halls to scream hypocrisy at the top of their lungs.

Kil'jaeden · 08-16-2009, 09:20 PM

Some people get so caught up in the rhetoric they don't even think about what is being said. People fear that the healthcare system will be taken over by bureaucrats and "death panels"? Have they not looked around, had to go to a hospital, or are they just stupid? It's already controlled by bureaucrats that do put a price on life. It isn't going to get any worse with a socialized version. At least then everyone has the option to actually get care, unlike now.

***Cosmonautical*** · 08-17-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mario271

^

Click to view video.

That was awesome. I love hypocrisy.

Robotazy · 08-17-2009, 01:37 AM

Well, of course Britons love it.

Britons are bad guys. They want to bring America down. All of them.

They are also wearing Monocle and have Death Rays.

***Cosmonautical*** · 08-17-2009, 01:52 AM

I've never seen the British Deathrays myself, but I'll take your word for it, since you seem like a respectable and truth-telling fellow.

Mario271 · 08-17-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MANLY RIPPLING MUSCLES

That was awesome. I love hypocrisy.

Me too.

And if it's one other thing I hate about the Republican party, is that they have nothing. They never seem to offer any alternative plan to anything; they just cry "socialism" and try to take any Democratic plan down so they actually have a shot at getting reelected. I don't want the party of "No" in power, I want a party that actually wants to get things done to help America.

**Crazyswordsman** · 08-17-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Man

Well yeah, why don't they just remove medicare if they hate government health care so much?

Heck, it'd cause most of the screamers to die off, since they'd no longer have that health care keeping them in shape or money to appear in all these town halls to scream hypocrisy at the top of their lungs.

YOU need to go to these town hall meetings and shut them up. If they act violently towards you I'll make you a poster child.

Lurch: Still, the point is they're very loud and are actually succeeding in their efforts somewhat. -CSM

08-14-2009, 09:43 PM	#2
Kargath et in Arcadia ego Join Date: Jul 2001 Gender: Posts: 8,334 Thanks: 1,226 Thanked 780 Times in 488 Posts	This is definitely within my restriction on commenting. However, I'll send you a PM when I can, Val.

08-14-2009, 11:12 PM	#3
Crazyswordsman This key doesn't work. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 10,791 Thanks: 1,019 Thanked 686 Times in 467 Posts	Most of the attacks on Britain's system are being funded by disgruntled CEO Rick Scott, who I consider to be a mass murderer for closing down hospitals and downsizing/laying off people. -CSM

08-14-2009, 11:39 PM	#5
Crazyswordsman This key doesn't work. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 10,791 Thanks: 1,019 Thanked 686 Times in 467 Posts	A lot of people treat Sarah Palin like a god here; good thing I don't live in that part of the country. Still she's overall less popular than Obama. -CSM

08-15-2009, 02:42 AM	#6
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,661 Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 2,486 Times in 1,513 Posts	^All the Republicans I know despise Palin. Just saying. Regarding the OP: I'm so glad people who have no share in our health care or electoral systems approve of the health care plan by our elected president. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

08-15-2009, 05:23 AM	#8
LASER BEAR ASSAULT UNIT Videos Mod Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In my pants Gender: Posts: 4,613 Thanks: 2,502 Thanked 767 Times in 422 Posts	Our health care system is FANTASTIC. And if it's the "Evil" one, so ****ing be it.

08-15-2009, 07:09 AM	#9
Crazyswordsman This key doesn't work. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 10,791 Thanks: 1,019 Thanked 686 Times in 467 Posts	^^Those people exactly. They're about 20% of the population but they are very loud. -CSM

08-16-2009, 03:02 PM	#12
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	The sad thing is that unless some public option is passed here in the US, I just won't have any health care. Needless to say I don't feel like gambling with my health like that, but apparently some old idiots who don't realize their medicare is also 'socialized medicine' are allowed to try to prevent me from having health care. I wonder how they'd like it if we took away their own 'socialized medicine' medicare, eh?

08-16-2009, 06:53 PM	#14
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	Well yeah, why don't they just remove medicare if they hate government health care so much? Heck, it'd cause most of the screamers to die off, since they'd no longer have that health care keeping them in shape or money to appear in all these town halls to scream hypocrisy at the top of their lungs.

08-16-2009, 09:20 PM	#15
Kil'jaeden Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: in your mind Gender: Posts: 2,132 Thanks: 21 Thanked 146 Times in 99 Posts	Some people get so caught up in the rhetoric they don't even think about what is being said. People fear that the healthcare system will be taken over by bureaucrats and "death panels"? Have they not looked around, had to go to a hospital, or are they just stupid? It's already controlled by bureaucrats that do put a price on life. It isn't going to get any worse with a socialized version. At least then everyone has the option to actually get care, unlike now.

08-17-2009, 01:37 AM	#17
Robotazy PRESS ANY KEY TO PANIC! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: A Tiny Shed Gender: Posts: 16,483 Thanks: 529 Thanked 1,254 Times in 897 Posts Blog Entries: 46	Well, of course Britons love it. Britons are bad guys. They want to bring America down. All of them. They are also wearing Monocle and have Death Rays.

08-17-2009, 01:52 AM	#18
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	I've never seen the British Deathrays myself, but I'll take your word for it, since you seem like a respectable and truth-telling fellow.