I've calmed down from that nonsense about equalizing net worth, but I have proof, courtesy of a detailed study, that health care in the United States should be nationalized. Here are some interesting statistics from a 1997 study. Remember that the United States has, by far, the most capitalistic health care system of all these nations:

Percentage of Total Population with Public Insurance (1997)

Australia: 100%
Canada: 100%
Denmark: 100%
Italy: 100%
Japan: 100%
Sweden: 100%
France: 99.5%
Germany: 92.2%
United States: 45.0%

Health Spending as a Percentage of GDP (1997)

United States: 13.9%
Germany: 10.7%
France: 9.6%
Canada: 9.2%
Sweden: 8.6%
Australia: 8.4%
Denmark: 8.0%
Italy: 7.6%
Japan: 7.2%
United Kingdom: 6.8%


Public Health Spending as a Share of Total Government Spending (1997)

United States: 20%
Germany: 17%
Japan: 16%
Australia: 16%
Canada: 15%
United Kingdom: 15%
France: 13%
Denmark: 13%
Sweden: 12%
Italy: 11%

Number of Physicians per 1,000 Persons (1997)

Italy: 5.8
Germany: 3.4
Sweden: 3.1
France: 3.0
Denmark: 2.9
United States: 2.7
Australia: 2.5
Canada: 2.1
Japan: 1.8
United Kingdom: 1.7


Number of Nurses per 1,000 persons (1997):

Sweden: 10.2
Australia: 9.5
Germany: 9.5
United States: 8.3
Canada: 7.6
Japan: 7.4
Denmark: 7
France: 5.9
Italy: 4.9
United Kingdom: 4.5

Source: http://www.pnrec.org/2001papers/DaigneaultLajoie.pdf

Accordingly, among these nations, the United States has the least socialization of medicine, the highest health care costs relative to GDP, the highest percent of government spending given to health care and only average health care even for the well to do. How is this possible? I came to the realization that, if free universal health care is provided, overall health improves, making less medical care necessary and lowering costs. The last two sets of statistics, moreover, destroy the "rationing" myth that I believed until very recently. This study proves what we must do. We have to provide free government health care for all Americans. In so doing, we will increase public health and, as counterintuitive as it may seem, lower spending on government aid programs. I've picked my side of the fence on economic issues once and for all. Just call me Comrade.

__________________
"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)

Interesting.

As for free universal heatlhcare, it need not even be cradle to grave coverage. If the USA were to provide free healthcare to all americans from birth to 20 years old, it would be most cost efficient and beneficial to the country imo.

__________________
.




"When I'm in command, every mission is a suicide mission!" -Capt. Zapp Branigan
The United Church of the Latter Day Tangential Tarts

This is actually your first good point in a long time. I'm not convinced, but its an interesting view. I'd like to hear the opposition's view.

The only arguments against this idea will be from people who have a knee-jerk response to anything they perceive as "big government" or a "nanny state". The numbers above speak for themselves.

__________________
"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)

__________________
What's this i hear bed? Word has it you and Pam are sleeping together.

Capitalism cannot and does not benefit anyone other than the bourgeosie. Nationalizing free, universal, healthcare is the first major step on the road to socialism and Im glad that someone finally has the facts to backup whats been usually pushed aside as socialist "idealism". Whos laughing now.

__________________
“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.” —Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois