Recent news reports that the Canadian premier of Newfoundland and Labrador would obtain heart surgery at an American hospital occasioned teeth-grinding by supporters of a government-run health care system like Canada's, and snickers from those opposed to the Congressional plan to impose a system with many of the same features here.
BTW, the premier's surgery was a success.
Here's something that's engraved onto the Statue Of Liberty's pedestal.
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
That lamp in the poem is the light of Liberty. The right to do whatever you want, as long as it doesn't harm others. You can own property, own guns, eat unhealthy food, get drunk, or get heart surgeries. Just don't hurt somebody else. Lady Liberty's welcome should apply to everyone from lowly Haitian earthquake refugees all the way up to Canadian politicians trying to escape the horrific consequences of their own Healthcare policies.
Get well soon, Premier Williams ! ! Tell everyone in Canada how much you liked it here. We need more medical tourism from the truly socialist countries. We'll leave the light on for you !
6 comments:
I was inspired to write the following song to the tune of "Oh, Danny Boy"
Oh, Danny Boy...
Your pipes, your pipes
Are cloggin'
From stent to stent
We'll cure pains in your side.
Your system's flawed
And patients are a-dyin'...
So cross the border, 'cause
others who didn't died.
(Big Finish!)
And shall I hear,
Protestors from your country.
'Cuz they all fear
The treatment they receive...
They wait three YEEEEEAARS,
With gall bladders a-bleedin'
'cuz we're behind on
lap cholycystectomies!
(the last line must be sung quickly - unlike their waiting lists)
Sir,
I am impressed. It actually scans well.
Next, please write something in opposition to Porkulus II, to be sung to the tune of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" (the William Shatner version)
So one rich Canadian government official makes headlines by indulging in a little medical tourism by coming to the US for surgery.
While some would argue we have the best healthcare in the world, the qualifier is that only the rich can afford it.
What are we to make of the thousands of US citizens fleeing our own borders for medical care?
Telling a starving man that Del Frisco's has the best steak in the world isn't going to make him less hungry.
Of course you and I both have employer-subsidized health care so screw the other poor bastards.
Sir,
I have never advocated anything that would be confused with Utopia.
However, do a bit o' Googling on the U.K.'s medical system (and I know that Dr. Jr. is in Canada).
I'd rather take my chances here, employed and taking my pick, or unemployed and going to John Petersmith.
But ideally, I'd go for this:
http://thewhitedsepulchre.blogspot.com/2009/08/free-market-proposal-for-healthcare.html
The current ridiculous situation where decent insurance can only be purchased through an employer? That's nuts.
"The current ridiculous situation where decent insurance can only be purchased through an employer? That's nuts."
Though we often (amiably) disagree, on the above point we are in complete agreement.
I'm reminded of an episode of the television show 'House' -
A Cuban couple escapes the prison island with only the clothes on their backs in order to bring the sick wife to the famous Dr. House for diagnosis. Despite the lack of any payment forthcoming, the heroic staff solves the medical mystery and is able to cure the Cuban refugee.
Even if he was destitute of resources, Danny Williams would have received care here in the USA.
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