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Francois17

Listed below are comments made by Francois17 between Sunday, 12th October 2008 and Wednesday, 5th November 2008.

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Election analysis 6:25pm on 05 Nov 2008 How wonderful America! I finally fell asleep at 3.30am UK (work the next day)! Welcome back into the fold of the world family - I have never come across so many people so energised by this election in the UK - many people here feel we have much to live up to - our politics needs some sparkle! Great news USA!
Uninsured 08:34am on 24 Oct 2008 In response to the following:

Vivaelcid: "The health issue is not why people are against communism. Americans like their freedom....There is no "magic wand" solution to this problem. If, overnight , America offered universal healthcare for all, then the system would collapse under the weight of illegal immigrants getting free healthcare"

My response: It is interesting that one of the world's most successful economies is China (Communist), with whom I believe the US has a significant debt. I fail to see how a civilised country can consider itself free when the 'politic' on this important issue is tied by the corporate power of insurance companies and this misguided notion that somehow a Universal healthcare system makes you less free. The reds under the bed can perhaps be replaced by the fear of the immigrants under the bed! If there is as you state a 'problem' with non-nationals seeking free healthcare (I am not sure about the connection you make with california et al), then a political solution is surely required?

David_Cunard: "That's not strictly true. You pay nothing for these services provided in the UK by the National Health Service, but since you are not given a bill doesn't mean you don't pay! The NHS is funded through general taxation so, assuming that you have paid income tax (and anything else into the Exchequer), you are paying one way or the other: the charge is hidden......Having hip replacement surgery in three months time doesn't appear to be very swift to me....If one can accept the waiting times, fine, but in this day of instant gratification, I fear that American patients might not take kindly to waiting so long, even if it was "free"

My response: David, you kindly copied my comment where I said we paid taxes, so I am not sure why you appear to think that I missed that point. The NOTHING point was meant to illustrate that by contributing through taxation and prescription charges (note the subtle but important point about the more vulnerable people in our society), we are free from the burden of making choices on our ability to pay when it comes to the question of our health. There is nothing hidden in my comments. Ahem, 3 months is a long time to wait? Again, whatever my wife has needed to make herself more comfortable (and she is), she has received. By your own illustration you have demonstrated that this is a mature system, where everyone can get what they need and it is a system that attends to the immediate needs of those who need it most. Your point on instant gratification is a good point, but I would quote the great Oscar Wilde who said -

"We are all born American, but we die French"!

Eightpercent:

My response: Spot on my old 'Socialist' Chap!

RomeStu:

My response: Hit the nail of the head me old cock sparrow!

Peterdough: "Detainees in Guantanamo have access to free health care. What does this say? that Americans should turn to travel to Cuba in order to get the medical help they need?"

My response: An extremely good point and well illustrated in the moving and disturbing film Sicko by Michael Moore - perhaps some of the contributors on this post should sit (putting any prejudices they have to one side about the esteemed Mr Moore) and view this film before they exercise their democratic rights?

Marstoutatis: "This means that the NHS is currently costing the average household about ?207 per month."

My response: And worth every single penny and I would be prepared to pay more...whoops, I just can't control the Socialist devil within me!

RomeStu: "The President's Brain is missing"

My response: Do I remember it...yes...and I had to nurse back to health (or was it the NHS) some very shell-shocked Americans who were staying with us at the time! They did take it very well, but couldn't understand why we laughed at the depiction of Maggie and the Royal family!

Djowhite:

My Response: Excellent points

Thehandofhistory: "Even in America, essential services such as the police and fire brigade are socialised, so why not socialise the health care system too? The right to free health care should be a fundemental right for every citizen".

My response: It never fails to amaze me how some Americans can miss this SOCIALIST point. Well stated old bean!

R-Snail: 2 posts

My response: First post; A somewhat depressing post but I like your point that it should be all about 'basic human decency'.

Second post; That's the beauty of a Universal healthcare system; it is constantly redefining itself, to meet the needs of the contributors to the system. Your comments appear to suggest a 'fundementalist' approach, almost like "keep the barbarians at the gate Hagor" I am not sure how you can define assisted suicide as healthcare, perhaps that end product is an example of how any healthcare system can fail, perhaps we have have not yet redefined the care that should be given in such sad cases.

Anthropolicist: "So asking people voluntarily to give up the right to choice simply to allow a bunch of bureaucrats to control health care is several bridges too far as far as most Americans are concerned....But the consequences of individual decision making, under whatever model of health care that emerges, is bound to be more fragmented, certainly less efficient, and probably less effective than a more utilitarian, first world model where the boundaries between the state and the individual are not quite as sacrosanct as they continue to be in the New World".

My response: The bridges point raises an important point of just how mature or knowledgeable the US public are, or not as the case may be. Fear appears to be the dividing factor in US politics, your pragmatic point on the candidates is interesting. I am not sure I would agree that the boundaries between a state and an individual are not sacrosanct, there are plenty of examples and challenges in the UK where those issues are challenged. The fact is that the NHS is one of those 'sacrosanct' areas, but there are many areas where the local populace can input into the health debate and decision making which does not leave such important matters in the hands of bureaucrats.

Englishmaninmadrid:

My response: A salutary tale and one that US citizens should consider carefully before 4/11/08 and not fall for the same old kidology!

Feohme:

My response: I agree Dave Allen was a deliciously wonderful!

Junai139: "I wonder if we'll ever see EU flags flying outside European homes?"

My response: I think that we are all far to SOCIALIST for that!

Redwhiteandermblue: "Most go on following their ad hominem leaders like Rush Limbaugh, whose goal is to bypass rational thought and play on the listener's emotions. Those who follow them I'm very tempted to describe with about the most contempuous word I know: "Doerfer." It's a particularly nasty way of saying "peasants." (It means, literally, villagers.)"

My response: Some good points, almost like lambs to the slaughter, the death of free thinking souls? However, and this is just on a cultural point, to call someone a peasant in France is considered a compliment. The salt of the earth and many of the peasants I know there are extremely astute on political affairs. It appears that not all peasants can be said to be the same!

USA-immer:

My response: So called top up insurance or private medical insurance is not that common in the UK (it mostly comes through employment packages). There is talk about opening up the top up insurance market - that debate has just started...can't wait for the fireworks on that one!

Dougtexan:

My response: My blood boiled when I read your sad story...how can US citizens from what is arguably one of the greatest developed nations on the earth be so anal about this issue. Who cares if you think it is SOCIALIST, who cares if you end up paying more taxes - what is surely right is that you should vote for your best opportunity for UNIVERSAL health care NOW?! Perhaps it is the case in the US the view is that 'there but for the grace of God, Yarweh or Allah go I'?

Wingnut:

My response: Again a blood boiling story, this just would not be allowed to continue in the Uk or in the EU!

Just look what you have started Justin - perhaps you should run for the Presidency! Do you think John and Barack are following this thread?
Uninsured 07:22am on 23 Oct 2008 Justin

Thank goodness for the SOCIALIST healthcare policies of the UK! My wife requires a hip relining/replacement operation. She has been seen by a Consultant, received pain management therapy, drugs, X-Rays, MRI Scans and will undergo an operation in January. The choice between not being able to walk and being able to live again and contribute SOCIALLY is a no brainer. And how much have we paid for that, well apart from taxes and LOW prescription charges (with regard to prescription charges you don't pay if you are on a low income or are unemployed) we have paid - NOTHING! Now let me see, which would I prefer - (a) an insurance system which can disqualify me at the drop of a hat and falling into ill health, or, (b) a UNIVERSAL healthcare system....doh....I think answer must be B Justin! I cannot understand why the greatest developed nation on this earth can be so anal on this point. Are they really still scared about the reds under their beds? If this wasn't such a serious issue the American situation would make for a really scary 'B' movie of the 50's. My heart goes out to Amy Clarke and my own relatives in the US who suffer at the whims of insurance companies. I wonder sometimes what is meant by the American Dream, because on this point it is nothing more than the American Nightmare. Come on Americans you know what must be done and you know what you must do on 4/11/08!
Tightening polls 09:03am on 19 Oct 2008 Justin:

"There is also the chance of a terrorist attack" Really? Must we feed the fear? Isn't the election about the divide that rests between fear and hope? Shouldn't we just let the politico's feed the fear factor on their own?
Getting angry 08:30am on 12 Oct 2008 Justin

Great Blog!

I was struck by the clip on the BBC yesterday of McCain putting his troops 'straight'. The displays of ignorance was breathtaking! I think he knows that the genie is out of the bottle, and being the decent man that he probably is, he is trying to put it back in. I would encourage you to visit the Michael Moore site, where there are currently 3 video links that says it all! McCain may not succeed in controlling such ignorance, but then a party that uses a 'stormtrooper' like Palin (who I note is in denial about her shortcomings on ethics) to whip up anxieties must ask itself the question; is it really fit to govern? In my view, the US, unquestionably one of the greatest nations (to date) on this earth, has seen a large chunk of its society lose its moral compass. McCain recognises this fact and it finds himself (or the Republican Party) trapped between big business interests and ordinary 'uninformed Americans'. These people do not represent the Americans I know from my travels. The gulf and the divide that exists between those two ends of the spectrum is the real America! That is where the election will be won, and what a relief for the US and the world that will be!

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