SICKO

redstaterebel · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 128

I know I'm several months late with this - but I just watched "SICKO" on DVD the other night. I couldn't go to see it in the theater because I would have been thrown out of the republican party.

Anyway, I think its some of Moore's best work - in terms of much less of the wild accusations and pure political agenda. This one was more like the Columbine one - rather than the 9/11 hackfest.

Anyway - the best part of it was the interview with the old british guy - he was spot on about democracy. The bottom line for this country is that if the american people wanted it enough, we would have it - through the power of the ballot box. Imagine if we demanded it - and voted out those who were against it? Imagine if we did that about anything- Iraq, education, social security. Like Gore with his global warming efforts - we need a messenger to rally the masses.

Out of roughly 100 million votes in 04, fully 50% don't want gov't run health care. That leaves 50 million which is roughly the number of uninsured in this country. Where are the rest of us? This will take a movement. Of the 300+ million americans - if only 1/3 came out in favor of this - and became a 100m voting block - we would have nat'l heath care fast.

Back in 93, the mistake of Bill Clinton was having Hillary manage the thing. He should have had someone with experience in the field. And now, with her cozying up to the insurance industry and accepting their money - don't expect any changes for at least 4 more years.

Kizzume · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:40 am Post subject:

I really need to see that film. I haven't yet and feel kind-of crunchy for not seeing it yet. Smile

Hackfest · Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 402

Columbine was okay, 9/11 was tripe. If this were closer to Columbine, I could watch it. The thing is, I'm against national health care if it means we get what Canada has. I know some guys in Canada, and they HATE it. 13 hours in the waiting room with a broken leg? I'll pass. I'd much rather have the "I got off my butt and got a good job with privatized insurance because I looked after myself and wasn't lazy" approach. Not that that isn't evil, it is. But of the two . . .

jen · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 69

I really liked Sicko myself. I have the viewpoint of a Type one Diabetic since birth. I have had to depend on insulin injections, and medical supplies since the day I took my first breath. I had to live a few years of my life with no insurance what-so-ever, and no way to get it, because of an "uninsurable health condition." I had to work two full time jobs, and still was not making enough to live, and pay for my medical supplies. It's not like I could not buy them, I would have died. It came down to me having to take out loans just to pay for insulin so that I could not go into ketoacidosis and end up in the hospital in a coma. I think that health care should be more readily available to people, but I don't really know a solution that will help. I don't want to be sitting in a waiting room for 13 hours for free treatment either. I am always torn on this subject, because I know how hard it is for some people to get privatized health insurance, myself included, but I don't really know how I feel about having government run health care. At the moment, I probably have the closest thing, which is Military insurance through my husband, and it's amazing, but I don't know if it would work this well, if it was the entire country they had to consider.

redstaterebel · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 128

KIzz - ya, you should see it. I would be very interested in your take. You too hackfest - I would have sucker punched Moore after the 9/11 one - but this one is a better.

As close I have been involved with a socialized system was my stint in the military - and that was not that good of an experience.
Long waits, weeks for an appointment etc. Maybe its better now - I don't know. I'll take Jen's word for it that it has - and I'm glad that you are well insured and taken care of.

jen · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 69

I have had military insurance for a while now. I have had some bad times, and good times, but for the most part, the coverage is great. I only had to pay 9$ for a 6000$ insulin pump, and my supplies are shipped for free, right to my door. I am seen by a specialist though, so don't have to wait very long for appointments. I think having a really great civilian Dr. is why my treatment is so good. It's far from perfect, but much better than the five years I went without healthcare. I would pick this over none at all any day. My brother is paying 100$ per bottle for insulin, and going through at least three bottles a month, that I am getting for free. Same with blood test strips. He is paying 1$ per test strip, when I get mine at absolutely no charge. It's pretty sweet if you ask me. Lots of people complain about the military health care, but to me, when I have lived with none, it is soooooooo much better. Like I said, far from perfect, but not even close to having to struggle without, or being denied coverage from a workplace that does not recognize pre-existing conditions.

Kizzume · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:43 am Post subject:

The Madigan Army Hospital of today (Ft. Lewis) is a completely different machine than it once was.

It used to be riddled with doctors who seemed to be used to the type of medicine practiced during combat. Get 'em out quick, equipment doesn't matter, cutting corners is fine if the person doesn't immediately die from it, etc. etc.

Now it's a great hospital with competent doctors, updated equipment, and decent overall care. Yes, there are waiting lists for things that aren't crucial. For things that are crucial, one usually gets in very quick, and the ones who don't get in VERY quick get in just plain quick.

I've had to wait several months for an appointment at a regular hospital. Madigan isn't any better, but it isn't any worse either.