Should the NHS and/or BBC be privatised?

Question

I see no good reason for them to remain as it is, it's an out-dated and unfair funding mechanism. Both would be more cost efficient in private hands, we'd save thousands in taxes, and can choose a level that suits us. I pay the high tax band, and therefor a lot more into it than poor people, but if we both had an illness, I would go to my local hospital just like them. I think I would like to pay for a private hospital, but why? when I already pay for the NHS, I'm loathed to do it. And with the BBC, I could tolerate 2 min adverts every half hr, if it meant saving £120 a year, considering I watch about 3hrs of BBC programming a week, and that's just footie focus and the occasional match of the day!

Answer 1

Yes, your NHS is a disaster. This is why Americans aren't keen on nationalized care, as we see what's going on in Europe and Canada with those lame systems, and we say "no thanks."

As for BBC, I only watch BBC News now and then, and it's INSIPID. I see Britcoms once in a while, and none of them are even remotely funny.

Come to America, from whence all good things emanate...

Love, Jack

Answer 2

Not totally: Maybe the BBC Radio stations should be privatised, I mean how commercial is Radio1? It only plays commercial music and pays the DJs a fortune, that should be privatly funded.

I now live in Spain and I really miss the good documentaries from the BBC, the nature programs and that HUMAN series are top quality.

Maybe if they have to show things like Esatenders they could put adverts in that, but they should keep the news and the documentaries publicly funded to keep up the quality.

As for the NHS definately not. But should be more than just hospitals, it should encompas all parts of life including schools and work. Ie workplaces should be forced to provide healthy food and exercise time just as schools are.

Answer 3

Hey Jim forget about the BBC listen to music instead, now i work in the NHS although a senior member of staff compared to you i guess im still one of those POOR people you mentioned!! BUT and a big but i have also worked in the private health sector .... you get the same consultants as the nhs you get nice carpet and nice curtains but you still get m.r.s.a you still get over worked nursing staff your just seen a bit quicker with no waiting list and most private hospitals you have no on site Drs so back up for anything going t i t s up is nil that goes for a cardiac arrect team too its practically non existant in private care. If i had to choose id rather wait a wee while on a list and stick with the NHS anyday of the week..Plus working for the nhs i have time for this stuff in the private sector id be working at least a 70hour week . Save your money mate chuck out the tv its mostly crap anyway and stick with your local hospital too, hey you might even meet an Angel!!!

Answer 4

this is a good question, i am in principal against the BBC staying a public broadcaster as the system is being abused - part of their charter is to have no advertising and yet in a consumer society already we have had a producer on Eastenders sacked for taking backhanders and placing beers, clothing, songs and other consumer iutems in prominent places

all the bargain hunt and antiques programmes are open to manipulation, the auctioneer usually has his number in plain view and is getting free advertising, many of teh experts could be taking backhanders to say this is worth that much, etc - same with houes prices as well, house prices are rising in this area, diy programs namedrop products products by B & Q and the BBC is not even benefiting, the producers and presenters get all the money from backhanders so i dont see how the BBC can retain fair and impartial viewpoint in a consumer society and still retain their integrity

also i dont think they should be allowed to use tax payers to make programmes with a foreign slant so that they can sell them abroad easier, and they shouldnt make programmes for 'freeview' as we have to buy a box to see thm which is an indirect tax, they are using our money to make a program we cant see unless we buy something - if they are going to give the box away thats fine but why should we pay, thqats a one off licence fee to see programs made with our money??

NHS was never meant to be what it was today, it is now bigger than the debt of small countries in south africa

Answer 5

If you are in the higher tax band you won't really be worrying about the NHS will you....Private Health Care...BUPA...
Again, higher tax band..... BBC will not be your only option, no doubt you have SKY TV and a choice of a million channels 3 hours BBC lucky you.
Where I live Channel 4 and 5 are not available, there is no SKY TV and no NTL available. Digiboxes do not work and we still have to pay full licence fee. Thank God for BT and Broadband and Yahoo. Can't see privatisation would make much difference

Answer 6

I have no subject in any respect with the BBC growing to be to be commercial and wearing commercials, yet what might ensue to the licence value? human beings do no longer comprehend that the licence value presently is going to the government first. They cream some off and hand the version to the BBC for programmes and different working costs. My difficulty is that the government might basically save all the licence value, effectively growing to be an added tax layer. So we would then have the worst of all worlds - commercials on the BBC, plus nonetheless paying the licence value - super stuff, eh?

Answer 7

Putting the BBC into commercial hands will result in loss of its objectivity. It still remains the case that the BBC has a world wide reputation that no other broadcaster can approach.
Cleaning in hospitals was put into the hands of private operators by Thatcher. Result: an appalling increase in hospital transmitted diseases.
Private business has no interest in providing service only in gaining profit. Generally the principal is 'do as little and as cheaply as you can get away with'.

Answer 8

niethers should , 1st the bbc is world renowned as one of the best and most impartial broadcasters in the world also there website is the envy of other companies .
having just experienced the nhs for most of this year ,considering its freely available its the best in the world .
its not perfect but has dedicated staff who do there very best under difficult circumstances .
btw i dont work for bbc or nhs

Answer 9

i do agree with a lot of your points...but at the same time there are genuine people that earn very little and couldn't afford private healthcare so the whole point of this is to benefit everybody but i do understand your view points because our tax money is also paying for benefits and immigrants.

Answer 10

Just because one writes in capitals, doesn't make one right. Now you take your caps lock off, stop being too brave from behind that screen and go away.