Idealistic? Hell yes.
This is the time of day I saddle-up my high-horse and gallop off toward the plateau of higher moral ground. Seriously, though, it's been a while since I've heard someone utter a phrase "health care is a privilege, not a right" and mean it. My vision clouded over with anger, my mind became fuzzy and static-y, and I had half a mind to vomit right on the person who said it. I wish I was exaggerating. It's interesting, as I myself didn't expect such a reaction, but on the other hand, I also haven't been this angry in such a long time. Hey, I understand that socialized medicine as other countries have it now may not be optimal. It is hard to comeup with something better, and this first step itself will probably take a lot of time, effort, and resources. Still, that would be working from the base assumption that EVERYONE deserves equal treatment or at least opportunities to get treated (provided their desire to get better and compliance with medical advice are held constant). Apparently, many people haven't even gotten this far in their thinking.