US Elections (& Politics) :)

Ssayer

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David L

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Parley

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In line with the civil discussion bit at the beginning of this thread, I have to say I think you a lot of the US have it wrong about Socialism. Socilaism doesn't equal communism and there's a reason why socialists get elected in the EU countries so often.

For a start, take a look at Britains Health Care System. OK not as nice or fast as going private (paying for it). However, there's no cost, no insurance premiums no nothing. Everything is free. Need a doctor, ring up and make an appointment, no charge. Need an operation? Get sent to a specialist and both his care and the OP completely free including the hospital stay. Private is nicer but for those with lots of money, you still have that option for nicer hospitals and faster treatment.

There are downsides to socialism as well, but from what I've seen during your elections, US citiziens have been brought up with a fear of Socialism as the great evil when in the majority it's anything but. Yes the extreme left wing, are a different matter, but they're a minority and I'm sure you have the odd extreme left winger / communist in the US. However, as a whole socialism is about caring for others in society and the Government looking after people not communism and the vast majority of citizens benefit from at least some socialist principles.

As many are finding out in the UK from Covid, being wealthy is fine until you're not. It sounds great paying the unemployed next to nothing and viewing them as lazy idiots until you become oine yourself, whether it's through bad luck or Covid. Only then do you realise the inadequacies of a system where 1/2 of society gets next to nothing. Same with healthcare. Fine whilst you can afford your insurance premiums, but very different when you're dying and can't afford the operation or treatment you need, and I know for a fact many in the US with cancer have found themselves in that position when faced with years ofd expensive drugs. The NHS isn't perfect, far from it, but at least a prescription for medication whilst paid for is fixed at around £9 per item and you can pay a fixed yearly fee of just over £100 to have unlimited prescriptions. Very different to having a personal drug bill of £10k a month for the latest cancer wonder drug which can cripple someone in the US even on a good wage.
Let me add that the United States indirectly pays for the defense of Europe. If the European countries had to pay for their full defense things would be a lot different. Hell, a lot of the European countries are not even paying their full share of NATO.
 
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David L

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Let me add that the United States indirectly pays for the defense of Europe. If the European countries had to pay for their full defense things would be a lot different. Hell, a lot of the European countries and not even paying their full share of NATO.
We built up our/their defense at our expense so they don't have to otherwise Communist Russia would have already owned all of Europe by now...
 

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