I'm still a firm believer that everyone can afford insurance if they really want it.  People who truly can't are low enough income to get government assistance.  In almost every case it's a matter of people not prioritizing their insurance as being important enough.  Basic insurance is going to run between $100-$400 a month, depending on whether you are single or a family.  A second job or cutting back on some other things can easily make that amount if you aren't living at the poverty level (where you would be eligible for government healthcare any way).

***********

Yeah, that's a great country we live in. Where you have to work 2 jobs to have health insurance. You really think that's a better idea than the government stepping in and attempting to fix the problem?

You really think that's a better idea than the government stepping in and attempting to fix the problem?

Did you really say that with a straight face?  Since when has the government stepping in ever actually fixed a problem?  :P

To give everyone good "free" healthcare, our taxes would have to go up significantly as they are in other nations with "free" healthcare.  People would have to get second jobs just to be able to afford to buy the same things they are buying now to offset their loss of income from the new taxes or curtail some of the spending.

As I said.  It's all a matter of priorities. 

QUOTE: Did you really say that with a straight face?  Since when has the government stepping in ever actually fixed a problem

Um, Fire and Police Departments, Building Inspectors? ;)

Building Inspectors

Ugh! They don't help! Everytime I need a permit those guys come in, pass our work, then increase my property tax bill.  Fuckers.

Um, Fire and Police Departments, Building Inspectors? ;)

Okay.  Federal government.  :P

The U.S. healthcare system definitely has its problems - cost being primary among them. But it also has its positives. Health care in the U.S. is first-rate and is widely accessible. It may not be easy to pay for, but it is there - even in small towns and rural areas - and there aren't any waiting lists or rationing of care.

I'm not sure how you fix the cost issue without breaking the parts that are working. Not to mention the enormous tax burden it would take to pay for a greater federal role in health care.