OT: Entitlements [was Re: Python usage numbers]

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:48:54 -0800, Rick Johnson wrote:

> Do you think that cost of healthcare is the problem? Do you think the
> cost of healthcare insurance is the problem? NO! The problem is people
> expect entitlements.

Entitlements? I work hard and pay my taxes. I *earned* that healthcare 
that trolls like you call an entitlement. Damn straight it's an 
entitlement -- I paid for it, I earned it, I'm entitled to it, and if you 
try to steal if from me, expect a fight.

Socialised healthcare is a win-win system:

- the working class wins, because they get healthcare at a much cheaper 
rate than they could otherwise afford

- bosses win, because they have reduced absenteeism, lower training costs 
to replace workers who die, and fewer epidemics that threaten their own 
families

- Wall Street wins, because productivity is increased due to better health

- pharmaceutical companies win, because even though their profits on 
individual items are reduced, their increased sales more than make up for 
it

- doctors win, because they spend more time getting paid to deal with 
patients and less unproductive time on dealing with insurance companies

- the economy wins, because fewer people are bankrupted by simple medical 
procedures

The only loss is for the insurers, who have to get an honest job. So why 
on earth is anyone against socialised healthcare when it provably works 
better than the US system?

Simple. To a certain mind, "win-win" is not a good thing, it is a bad 
thing. "Win-win" implies that you might have to share the pie instead of 
eating it all yourself, and to that sort of person, anything less than 
ALL the pie might as well be nothing at all. What's the point of being 
wealthy and powerful without having hungry, sick peons to lord over? How 
will you know you have won unless others lose?

The inefficiencies (economic and moral) of the US private healthcare 
system are not a bug, they are a feature. It is part of the war the 1% of 
the 1% have been waging on the rest of society for the last 40 years.


> You are only born with one
> guarantee; you will die, guaranteed! Any questions?

Yes. Why haven't you moved to a libertarian paradise like Somalia yet? 
You'd like it there. There are two sorts of people: those who can afford 
their own private militia, and victims.


-- 
Steven