Americans, why are you so afraid of free healthcare?
Universal healthcare is a wonderful thing. Why are so many americans against it?
36-40, M
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SW-User
It's an issue that became politicized, and people are prone to react negatively to things that are politicized, regardless of the non-partisan nature of it. It's the ultimate in-group bias
It's something that's associated with communism, which most Americans view as a toxic word. It's a word used to taint any idea that someone might disagree with, and it's true in the case of universal healthcare.
Regardless of how wonderful it is, as long as people refuse to do the research and think for themselves, they'll feel animosity towards things that they associate with different political systems or ideologies
It's something that's associated with communism, which most Americans view as a toxic word. It's a word used to taint any idea that someone might disagree with, and it's true in the case of universal healthcare.
Regardless of how wonderful it is, as long as people refuse to do the research and think for themselves, they'll feel animosity towards things that they associate with different political systems or ideologies
Tatsumi · 31-35, M
Because Americans are innately afraid of government, as a whole. They also have the inbred desire for freedom and choice. They feel as though universal healthcare is a drain on society and is depriving them of choice. Yes. Incorrectly.
They also dislike "handouts" (except in the form of reduced taxes, then handouts are great). They really just dislike taxes, as a whole. Without realizing that taxes are a good thing. It really just stems from America's founding. The country was founded on a very anti-tax premise, if you recall.
America is also a very independent nation. It's very individualist. So many Americans dislike the idea of helping other Americans. "What? I have to pay more of MY money to help some assholes?" Even the ones who claim to have national pride really only look out for themselves, for the most part. Not everyone, of course. But a fair portion.
But. A lot of Americans aren't afraid of universal healthcare. That's why Bernie Sanders almost won the democratic nomination as a socialist. And why Obama won the presidency in 2008 whose platform included single payer healthcare, which he then flopped on.
They also dislike "handouts" (except in the form of reduced taxes, then handouts are great). They really just dislike taxes, as a whole. Without realizing that taxes are a good thing. It really just stems from America's founding. The country was founded on a very anti-tax premise, if you recall.
America is also a very independent nation. It's very individualist. So many Americans dislike the idea of helping other Americans. "What? I have to pay more of MY money to help some assholes?" Even the ones who claim to have national pride really only look out for themselves, for the most part. Not everyone, of course. But a fair portion.
But. A lot of Americans aren't afraid of universal healthcare. That's why Bernie Sanders almost won the democratic nomination as a socialist. And why Obama won the presidency in 2008 whose platform included single payer healthcare, which he then flopped on.
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3venus · F
@buddyhally: $300, every month so that's $3,600.
GoldenWorm · 51-55, M
MetalGreymon · 36-40, M
@buddyhally: lol yes. Communism is evil!
GoldenWorm · 51-55, M
Take a look at typhoidjerry's chart. We're paying more than everyone else already.
MetalGreymon · 36-40, M
CaptainCanadia · 41-45, M
Firespirit · 26-30, M
the us drug company's charge so much for meds could also be a reason
softspokenman · M
Firespirit · 26-30, M
MetalGreymon · 36-40, M
@Firespirit: seems reasonable
Australia has a private and public healthcare system and the only difference between the two is people go private for non emergency or elective things and usually public for emergencies, wait times only depend on the severity of the issue. also if you choose to go private insurance your taxes are reduced so thats cool. When I had my baby I went public all the way.. ambulance to hospital, emergency c section i was on the slab being operated on in less than 5 minutes with a room full of doctors and specialists followed by 5 days in hospital with good drugs and it didnt cost me a cent (other than my medicare tax which is about $500 a year for my whole household) when I wanted my teeth to be all fixed and get some nice new glasses i went private also didnt cost me a cent because I pay like $20 a week into a dental optical plan because the public options are basic and generic I wanted fancier stuff. Its nice to have both options, its nice to know that no matter who you are in an emergency you are protected and its nice for private insurance companies to have the competition of the public healthcare to keep their prices down too.
SW-User
@Firespirit: All the waiting for service, interminable wait times thing is largely BS. We have family in Canada and their experience has far surpassed our own with regard to healthcare. Here in the states I can wait 2 months for an appointment or procedure. It's no different than anywhere else.
OKWTF2 · 51-55, M
Government run health care is provided for our Retired Armed Forces in what is known as the V.A. Simply put, people were and still are allowed to just die.
Many people are flown in from all over the world due to the types of services some of the hospitals and skill of some of our doctors that are here.
That will decline, and likely significantly. I and I think many others are more than willing to pay a heck of a lot more for better care when it comes to something like my health. I would much rather pay the money and be taken care of than to get a discount via taxes and be left to die.
Many people are flown in from all over the world due to the types of services some of the hospitals and skill of some of our doctors that are here.
That will decline, and likely significantly. I and I think many others are more than willing to pay a heck of a lot more for better care when it comes to something like my health. I would much rather pay the money and be taken care of than to get a discount via taxes and be left to die.
MetalGreymon · 36-40, M
On the flip side a health problem in the states could bankrupt you.
If you get bit by a snake you could pay 100,000$ for the treatment. I don't know about you but i can't afford that
If you get bit by a snake you could pay 100,000$ for the treatment. I don't know about you but i can't afford that
CheshireCatalyst · 36-40, M
Cierzo · M
Probably because Americans have not seen a real comparison between the amounts they are paying now to private companies, and the amount taxes would be risen.
I agree that universal health system is good, but being careful with which diseases and surgeries are covered, and who has the right to get it. And this is a great debate.
I agree that universal health system is good, but being careful with which diseases and surgeries are covered, and who has the right to get it. And this is a great debate.
kutee · T
nhs in uk treats you for any illness,and our natioanl insurance ocvers oyu no matter what illness oyu have, why would peopel happily pay taxes and get ntohign back
MetalGreymon · 36-40, M
obviously
Maybe its because their government is so corrupt the people dont trust them with all that money and responsibility
MetalGreymon · 36-40, M
No i don't think that's it
im starting to see things this way lately, that they dont trust their government to not be evil and corrupt, its like they take it for granted that they are being screwed over. Their fear is in communism and government control. In my country we dont fear that so much because we know our government works for us but in america the people fear their government. im not sure i blame them either.
MetalGreymon · 36-40, M
@pandora: seems like a weird place to live
SW-User
Because they feel it's okay to have NO ACA, and they are okay to add a trillion dollars in debt to finance it's repeal. How wonderful :)
MetalGreymon · 36-40, M
lol it is all a bit much. I know obamacare isn't brilliant (especially since it isn't what it was supposed to be) but it seems like a step in the right direction