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http://www.mrcranky.com/movies/behindenemylines/24/17.html
12/01/01: Wading in...
Posted by: hack@slash.com (Whisper_and_Sabrina)
I just got back from visiting my aunt and Uncle who were stuck on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall.
"Socialism" ruled that country for 50 years. Almost nothing outside the main city center had been repaired or rebuilt by the state. Only if it was vital to the military or benefitted whatever Russian soviet official had the "misfortune" of being sent there. Everything else was rebuild by individuals, who had to get permission from the state in order to do anything. Permission that usually took 6 months to 2 years to get. Polution was rampant. When I visited in summer of 89, the air was so thick it felt like a bug hitting you in the face every second. And this was the showcase of the Eastern Soviet Socialist block!
Capitalism has been in charge of the country for 11 years now, and been rebuilding ever since. When I was in Leipzig in 97, you couldn't look in any direction without seeing a repair crane fixing or constructing a building somewhere. Berlin has seen massive reconstruction as well--new streets, new bridges, new housing. Berlin actually has a housing surplus now. Why? because major corporations were given tax cuts for building homes in the East. And given German taxes, they jumped at the chance.
Under the socialist system, everything was controlled. Because my grandfather was a clerk beforee the commies took over, his children were not allowed to be educated past Master's degrees. Fortunately, my uncle's boss was able to find a workaround and get my uncle the extra training needed.
You think socialized medicine is a good idea? BullSHIT!!! Talk to the doctors at the military hospitals who have to raid and rob the research labs for medical supplies to get the equipment and organic parts they need to treat the US veterans (I believe there's a reasonablly good movie about that). Take a look at the waiting list for Canada's hospitals. Sure, they're required to treat you and take care of you, and everything's paid for, but WHEN will they treat you? How long will it take them to get to you? How advanced are the equipment, techniques and Technology available?
Oh, and if your over 65 in the UK, you don't get much past asprin. No "Extraordiary Measures" will be taken.
And the taxes... Adding another layer of bureaucrasy to an already overburdened, overladen system just isn't a good idea. And your taxes pay for it. US Tax rate is hard to go over 35%. UK and Canada taxes START at 40% and go up. I can buy a shitload of health insurance for 5% of my income.
Capitalist system and HMOs aren't great, and frequently suck (like Kaiser), but give me Kaiser over NHS any day.
People who advocate socialized medicine usually haven't thought it all the way through. Same with people who advocate any form of socialism/communism.
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