Soviet Union of Medical Care (USSA)

[Baruch]

In 2011, $8,500 per capita, 2/3 coming from tax payers
In 2016, $10,000 per capita, 2/3 coming from tax payers

So tell me how we can afford a $300 per year per capita increase ad infinitum?  Oh, just increase taxes?  So basically we should pay our citizens not to have any more children, because a family of four, should on their own, pony up $40,000 per year for health care (if they didn't have their neighbors paying for them).  That means @1,200 per year increase in health care costs for a family of four.  Maybe nationalize the drug companies and make the doctors/nurses into minimum wage civil servants?  Oh yes, just print the money and drop it from the sky!

[Atheon]

Here in Taiwan, I pay US$90 every three months for universal healthcare.

Little dinky Taiwan can do it, but big old America can't (because Republicans).

I'm staying here in this little paradise. In Taiwan we have healthcare, freedom and democracy, but there is no Republican Party here! Oh, and no guns either! And a female president!!

And before you say "That's Communist!!", well nope. The Commies are on the other side of the Strait.

[Baruch]

Here in Taiwan, I pay US$90 every three months for universal healthcare.

Little dinky Taiwan can do it, but big old America can't (because Republicans).

I'm staying here in this little paradise. In Taiwan we have healthcare, freedom and democracy, but there is no Republican Party here! Oh, and no guns either! And a female president!!

And before you say "That's Communist!!", well nope. The Commies are on the other side of the Strait.

Sorry, if we had Taiwan pay for its independence from their own country ... the fees would be much higher.

[fencerider]

Nationalizing drug companies not a bad idea. Minimum wage doctors too scary.

Maybe its time for the U.S. to join the rest of the civilized world where making a profit off of healthcare is a crime. Doctors and nurses gotta eat, but I shouldn't be the one paying for the hospital owner's new yacht. I would like to know how we can make health care affordable and still allow profiteering to continue. Please dont say get a job. Millions of Americans that work 60-80 hrs a week cant afford the criminal health care system of the U.S.

[Baruch]

"I would like to know how we can make health care affordable and still allow profiteering to continue." ... I know that was a rhetorical question.  Comes down to why people are alive.  Is it fear, anger, hatred?  Is it greed, envy, jealousy?  That is what drives the political economy.  Just adjusting formulas won't take the Id out of the Krell.

Yes, selective socialism, would actually work ... it is what FDR intended.  But the US might not be a nation that can do this.

[fencerider]

Yes, selective socialism, would actually work ... it is what FDR intended.  But the US might not be a nation that can do this.

Well that's a bummer; considering we live in the U.S.

[Atheon]

Sorry, if we had Taiwan pay for its independence from their own country ... the fees would be much higher.

What does that even mean, "Pay for its independence from their own country"?

[Baruch]

What does that even mean, "Pay for its independence from their own country"?

I think Taiwan owes the US a bill for about 500 billion dollars.  Otherwise in 1949, they all become part of Mao's paradise.  Much less than what Europe owes, or Japan.  Taiwan is part of mainland China, even Taiwan agrees.  They are just a little more independent than most provinces of the Middle Kingdom.

[Cavebear]

I think Taiwan owes the US a bill for about 500 billion dollars.  Otherwise in 1949, they all become part of Mao's paradise.  Much less than what Europe owes, or Japan.  Taiwan is part of mainland China, even Taiwan agrees.  They are just a little more independent than most provinces of the Middle Kingdom.

Taiwan seems like an independent nation to me.  It could be taken over by China, but then so could Japan or Vietnam.

[Baruch]

Taiwan seems like an independent nation to me.  It could be taken over by China, but then so could Japan or Vietnam.

The Chinese would be stupid to take Taiwan, because it serves as a symbol to rouse the rabble.  Mandarins need that sort of thing.  Japan is broke, and Vietnam is where the Chinese outsource to ... so no reason to occupy either.