"AND" there are so many killings all over the country. Look at Detroit, Los Angeles, etc..etc.. There are homeless people, people dying because lack of medical care, drive by shootings, car jackings, drug deals on street corners, etc..etc...Man!! What a wonderful country. And the Americans try and tell the world how great the USA is. LOL!!! Do you really think the people of the world believe that?
2006-09-04 08:25:32 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
And don't tell me how you only have to pay 1 dollar a month because a hospital can't make it on that. You know that and I know that. Here in my town they turn you down if you can't pay.
2006-09-04 08:42:20 · update #1
As a Canadian, I have full access to free medical care as do all Canadians. When the Bush government was arguing against socialized medical care, they used a lot of misinformation about the Canadian system as a reason to not use our model. They said we have to wait months for doctors appointments and operations, which is not true. (except in the case of elective surgeries which can have a waiting time longer than in the U.S.)
I think part of the problem is, the U.S. has always had a phobia of anything that smacks of socialism. In Canada, we have 4 main political parties, Conservatives, Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois. Our NDP party is a socialist/labor party and it's the party that put our health care into action. The U.S. has no equivalent of that party because of the anti socialist/communist feelings you have.
The U.S. is a wonderful country in so many aspects. No other country has contributed more in the way of aid to the world and whenever I travel to the U.S., the people are so much more open and welcoming than we Canadians are. I think if there were more social programs in the U.S. (such as the wonderful programs they help fund around the world for people who don't pay taxes to them) there would be a reduction in the other things you mentioned.
Canada, Britain and most of Europe has socialized medicine. Cuba has one of the most progressive medical systems in the world with research that is amazing despite their lack of resources. It's a shame that the U.S. doesn't move towards a more inclusive system. I personally know two families who lost their home because of catastrophic illness in the U.S. That couldn't happen in Canada.
2006-09-04 08:49:38 · answer #1 · answered by Canadian_mom 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The USA is not so great. The only people in the world who think so are the people who live there and are rich. There is a HUGE gap between the poor and the rich that will keep getting bigger in the name of the almighty dollar or the celebrated 'capitalism'. To answer your last question, the people of the rest of the world know better. The USA ranks very low on desireable places to live in the world. The country is a toilet. Period. All we hear elsewhere is their ramming down our throats about 'freedom'. Just take a look at the Dixie Chicks' and how they tried to practise (what the USA preaches) their 'right to FREE SPEECH and they got reemed big time. There is no free speech there despite the constant pontifications of its politicians. Every superpower in the history of the world has fallen, and the USA is no different. Just wait until they run out of resources, because they have no respect for the environment. Time will tell. sorry to rant, but you are absolutely right. And no President will ever fix anything because of the absolutely ridiculous term limits set upon them. eight years is just not long enough for someone to implement lasting change. The job is a figurehead position with big businesses pulling all of the strings. Money is the be all and end all. Immigrants are lining up to get there because they have no idea what it is really like. Just like a hundred years ago when they all thought the 'streets were paved with gold' the immigrants of today believe they will be living like what they see on American Television, when the reality is they will most likely be on food stamps, welfare and holed up in a tiny apartment in an inner city. That's the truth and it's tragic. Povery in America is like third world, I've seen it. No running water etc... it's unbelievable but it exists. In my country, there just isn't any such thing as people living that far below the poverty level or being without water, it just doesn't happen.
2006-09-04 08:35:58 · answer #2 · answered by mishel24 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
We don't care about what the rest of the world thinks. We only care that the rest of the world complies with policies that keeps us on top of everyone else.
As for the "negative" aspects you focus on, let's address them one by one:
1. Homeless People: Yes there are a few, but a very small percentage of the country's population. Less than 0.5%. What's special is that at any moment, those homeless still have a chance to be super wealthy with a great idea or even luck (winning a lottery ticket worth millions of dollars).
2. Medical Care: People aren't dying because of lack of medical care. First of all, 94% of all Americans are employed and of that, at least 75% of them have medical insurance. So right off the dot, 50% of all americans have some health insurance. Of these, their spouses and children are insured too, so that takes care of 75% of the country's population.
For those who are poor and homeless, they have social services and public health services that provide healthcare which is paid for with our taxes.
3. Drive-by Shootings: This is a problem in very poor Districts. When there is a population of over 275 million people, there are bound to be occasional bad neighborhoods that are not regulated enough. Detroit and Los Angeles do have very rough neighborhoods, but, it isn't that bad either. Any intelligent person knows where not to go.
4. Drugs: Drugs are problem throughout the world. All you can do is police that to the best of your abilities. It's not a pervasive problem though. I know in the movies it seems that way, but, in the past 10 years, I haven't seen a drug deal and I live near Oakland, a very "rough city."
5. Drug Deals on Street Corners: This is very rare and only happens in very dangerous neighborhoods. All countries (except maybe Finland) have dangerous neighborhoods.
6. Most Americans don't tell the world that America is a great country. People who immigrate here (and there are millions outside of the US) always talk about how great this country is.
For every person that has something negative to say, there are lines of thousands of people trying to get into this country to have a better life.
Do the math and you'll see that your argument is very weak.
2006-09-04 08:38:42 · answer #3 · answered by Tones 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
First of all, who said that Americans have to have health insurance. Do people in Iran, Africa, or most of the world?
As for homeless, that is life. Our poor live better than 90% of the worlds poor. In a free society, people cannot get everything they want. There is a finite amount of money. People choose how to spend it. I used to sell windows and never walked into a ghetto home that did not have a larger tv that I owned. Most people who are poor are so because they mismanage their money. There are a lot of people who make $100,000 a year who spend more than they make.
There is a lot of crime in our ghettos. Part is self-inflicted part is government. For example, Chicago passed a law that retailers over a certain size must pay a lot of money to each employee. This was targeted at Wal Mart and Target. What did they do? Both companies dropped all building projects.
There is also the problems that the Democrats caused by their social engineering that started in the 1960's. Specifically, a woman on welfare was prohibited from being married. Well guess what, are you surprised by the fact that 70% of blacks are born out of wedlock? Plus, the inner city schools suck. When the city tries privitization like in Philly, the parents make a stink. All this did was keep the schools in the stone age. All the government does is throw money at the problem and that does not work. If there were competition, the schools would be better. In European countries, the money goes with the kid. The school stinks, the kids leave, the school goes out of business.
Most Americans do not care what the rest of the world thinks of us. We have millions trying to get into this country. Many will risk their lives to come here illegally.
You can stuff it wherever you live. Flip off commie.
2006-09-04 08:40:26 · answer #4 · answered by Chainsaw 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Every country/governmental system has its drawbacks ... look at France ... great medical, but very high unemployment, and if you think that carjackings, murders, and drug dealing on the street corner is an American problem ... you might wanna look out your door and down your street and open your eyes, and maybe watch your state run news broadcast a little less if you wanna see what is wrong in your country. Have a great day and hopefully you will start learning a little bit more about what is wrong in every country and maybe you will be able to find a way to help those in your country to solve your country's problems.
2006-09-04 08:38:19 · answer #5 · answered by Zenas Walter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A large number of people in the U.S. do not have health care insurance out of choice. It's not that they can't obtain it, it's that they don't want it. I am one of those individuals. I am young and very healthy. I could afford health insurance if I wanted to, but I'd rather keep my money than pay premiums to cover the slight chance that I'll need medical care.
Even those without medical insurance who need treatment get it in this country. Health care providers are required by law to provide emergency service to those who can't pay. There are also numerous churches, charities, and nonprofit groups that provide discounted or free healthcare and drugs.
On the plus side, our disproportionaly private health care system is also one of the most innovative and advanced in the world. The U.S. is the source of a good deal of medical discoveries and new medical technology.
As for crime, it's true that America does seem to have a relatively high crime rate. That's going to happen in a very diverse, very individualistic society. But we don't have the highest crime rate. According to NationMaster, the U.S. ranks 8th in per capita crime rates, behind New Zealand, Finland, Chile, and the United Kingdom, to name a few.
The average American enjoys a higher standard or living, more luxuries, and more freedom than the average person in the world. I'd say they do better than the vast bulk of humanity. Of course, you might choose different criteria to judge by, and find that the U.S. is not the best.
Still, looking at the overall picture, I think you'd be hard pressed to make the case that the U.S. isn't a good country to live in- especially compared to most of the rest of the world.
2006-09-04 09:22:56 · answer #6 · answered by timm1776 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe, maybe not. Guess it depends on how much crime takes place in their country. We do not have a monoply on crime. As for health care people from all over the world come here for medical treatment. There is no doubt USA has the best. Down side, it is expensive. There is no arguing our system of government, with its separation of powers, has stood the test of time because it has built in avenues for adaptation as times and circumstances change.It would be just as well if fewer folks believed America was great and not immigrate here.
2006-09-04 08:41:19 · answer #7 · answered by longroad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do I really think the people of the world believe it? Most certainly and the number of people trying to enter this country every year for freedom and prosperity prove it. You haven't proved anything except you hate this country. Freedom means also the right to be lazy and not accomplish anything but enjoy life.
Has communism, socialism, or fascism succeeded? Dictatorships, monarchies? The reason America rose to become the worlds most powerful nation in 150 years is because of freedom and capitalism. The richest, the most influential, the best health care, the most food, and freedom! Free to reject being supported by the government and relying on no one. The more social programs people are under, the more dependent they are upon government and it will eventually fail.
While we are free to explore, go to the moon, go to mars or follow any dream and accomplish things no other country has ever done. Everything you mentioned are things every country has problems with. You're not too brite are you?
2006-09-04 08:45:42 · answer #8 · answered by Search4truth 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
OK Lib, insurgent supporter
Who pays for federal government supported healthcare??? You will actually be paying MORE than what you would if you actually paid for it while working a job (which is probably something you know nothing about, actually working). Do it the Canadian way?? I hope you like tax rates above 40%!
YOU are the only one responsible for you and your well being. If you wish to have health insurance, maybe you should get your skillset up enough to actually land a job that offers health insurance.??? But a lib don't want to hear that. They just want the government to hand it to them, like it is owed to them. Quite disgusting actually.
Hmmmm... maybe there would be less carjackers, murderers, and other criminals on the street if it were not for liberal lawmakers and liberal judges putting them back out there.
2006-09-04 12:17:08 · answer #9 · answered by DiamondDave 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Democracy and capitalism is not perfect. However, the US system seems to work better than most. Canada and many other nations has national health care system but they pay for it through income taxes. US income taxes is lower percentage wise so that we pay for it through the private insurance industry ourselves. For those who do not or cannot afford it, there is government social health care. We don't need to tell you or anyone else. That facts concerning the size of its economy, its technology, it military strength speaks for itself. Do we have social problems such as crime, homelessness, drugs? sure we do. Every society has it share of problems and with our free press, it is reported more openly. Can we do better, sure...we try all the time.
2006-09-04 08:51:25 · answer #10 · answered by robert S 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋