*waves*

[elisi]

Hello there, all you lucky people going to writerconuk - hope you all have a fabulous time! I wish I was going, of course, but on the other hand I'm getting an Anna on Monday (a royal one, no less!), so I'm not complaining. Quite the opposite in fact! (Squee! Anna! We shall talk fannish things, and watch Twilight, and I shall bask in her glow of pure

Comments

[petzipellepingo]

I'd add this by Dr. kellyhk.

[elisi]

Thank you. :)

[powerofthebook]

I am one of those people. I don't actually have that bumper sticker, but I do agree with the spirit. It's not that I want people to be homeless or sick - but I do want them to take responsibility for their own lives, and lots of people over here don't. Our welfare system is there for people who legitimately need it - but is overtaxed by those who would prefer to rely on it rather than working to keep a job.

I do think the health care system in my country needs reform - but not the kind of reform that Obama would have us do. I really would rather have companies running health in an organized, sensible way - our government couldn't even really handle the relatively simple "Cash for Clunkers" program. If the NHS works for the UK, that's fine. In the US, however, with so many objecting to this new philosophy, perhaps another system, one with less government involvement, can be worked out.

[zanthinegirl]

our government couldn't even really handle the relatively simple "Cash for Clunkers" program.

Hee-- valid point!

[elisi]

It's not that I want people to be homeless or sick - but I do want them to take responsibility for their own lives
You know, I understand that. And people do abuse the system over here too, which is not ideal, obviously. But... I would rather have a system that helps everyone that might need it (big safety net type of thing), even if some abuse it, than one where people who really need help fall between the cracks. I am incredibly grateful to live in a country where health care is considered a basic human right.

I really would rather have companies running health in an organized, sensible way - our government couldn't even really handle the relatively simple "Cash for Clunkers" program.I readily admit to know very little about how health care in the US is run. But it strikes me that something like health care shouldn't be run by a company - surely it will be looking for profit? *throws hands up* I don't know. But looking at some of the stories that this debate has unearthed, I wouldn't live in the US for love nor money. In my world

[zanthinegirl]

I have very mixed feeling about the whole health care debate.

One the one hand it's obvious to me that whole system desperately needs to be reformed. Costs are outrageous; a huge percentage of bankruptcies are due to health care costs. And I strongly feel that basic healthcare should be available to anyone.

On the other hand I question whether creating what would have to be an enormous new bureaucracy is really the best way to go. My brain hurts just thinking about it! I work for the state. I remember the months of paperwork involved in changing the charting flowsheet we use!

[elisi]

I remember the months of paperwork involved in changing the charting flowsheet we use!
Heh. The NHS does suffer from too much bureaucracy, everyone agrees on that, and I *so* do not envy Obama, trying to find a workable solution. I just wish that people wouldn't go insane...