"Free" health care!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
"Free" health care!
250
Thu, 07-22-2004 - 7:15pm
I wonder how many of you have had to live without health insurance? You say that health care is not a right? NO WONDER! You have always had a place for the bills to go other then your mailbox! How many of you have ever asked what the actual cost of your prescriptions are? Do the math! Do you have any idea what it is like to call around from doctor to doctor trying to find one who would see you WITHOUT insurance? Have you ever stood at your doctor office and humbly asked for samples instead of a prescription because u know that your $360 check wont stretch enough to cover your $280 med bill AND the doctor appt. Don't even mention medicaid! If you make enough money to buy food and scrape by...you do not qualify.

Go ahead and be technical but if you ever run into some bad luck you will see things in an entirely different light!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2004
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 9:48am

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Right on, Sondra!

Miffy - Co-CL For The Politics Today Board

Avatar for schifferle
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 10:00am
<< The language issue is probably a factor. I've heard that comment made by some French friends (from France, not Quebec). Typical comment I heard, is that if others come to america as tourists, they bring a book about the local language and at least try to communicate in English, but few americans do the same thing - they expect people in their host country to speak their language and make the effort. >>

My husband & I are one of those few you speak about. We always tried to at least learn a few basic phrases in any country we've traveled to where English wasn't the native language and enjoyed the differences in our cultures. It's "amazing" how far even "Hello", "Good-bye", "Please" & "Thank you" will get you. In fact, in Germany, we had the reverse situation. When we tried to speak German, many Germans continued the conversation in English. That kind of blew improving our German language skills. (My mother, on the other hand, when she came to visit us in Germany, felt nothing was as good as the way she had & did things in the US.)

We happened to enjoy our travels in France. With rare exception, all were kind & friendly towards us. A child & dog in tow probably helped, too. I really can see why people in other countries would be bothered by many an American. I think there are a lot of Americans who are the way you describe them.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2004
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 10:16am

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SO TRUE!!!!

Miffy - Co-CL For The Politics Today Board

Avatar for schifferle
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 10:20am
I apologize for generalizing. I slip into that mode from time to time. Tsk! Tsk!

Based on my experience, which is not a limited one, I feel confident that most (not all)military are the way I described them. My response to your comments on Liberals and healthcare gave me the impression that you were doing some generalizing, too. This was not your intent from all you've explained & I appreciate the correction. =)

<< Not all liberals want free healthcare, or the canadian system. I don't. I DO want however to get rid of our current situation. >> I agree w/ you on this. Our system is in need of much improvement without changing to so-called free healthcare or the Canadian System. I'm getting the feeling though we're headed down that path.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 12:22pm
<<"I suppose we both agree with "socialized" medicine then. ;o) ">>....you know, I don't really care what lable is put on just about anything (including any healthcare-system)? Lables dó tend to

Djie

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 12:28pm
I really can't speak for everyone else, particularly those in Europe. Basically I do believe that it isn't the American people THEMSELVES that people dislike but the sense of entitlement that many, as a group, project. This is reflected in foreign policy, trade practices....you name it.

I don't mean to be harsh. I'm just thinking out loud, trying to come up with an explanation for this phenomenon.

For the most part American people are open, generous, friendly and good-hearted but some come across as....oblivious. Oblivious to the effect that they have on others. Oblivious that their way isn't the only way and perhaps not even the best way. Oblivious to how condescending they seem to come across as being. It's like they can't seem to understand that different people and different cultures customs are not "backwards" because it isn't done the "American Way". Many people don't do things the "American Way" because they CHOOSE NOT TO. Not because they don't know any better. A lot of Americans I've encountered can't seem to get their heads around that one. In many circles "Less is more". But not in America.

Also, it isn't fair to judge all people by their noisiest and most obnoxious tourists. I'm sure there are a great many quiet and respectful American tourists that do not call attention to themselves and are therefore not noticed or are noticed in a positive way. However, there are a great many who are loud, pushy, and spend a lot of their time making fun of the other culture, their food, their language, their accomodations and generally complaining in a loud voice. Unfortunately, people being the way they are (everywhere) make generalizations. Unfortunately, American television shows and movies (especially lately) seem to revel in or even highlight this type of stupid behaviour further compounding impressions (however faulty they may be) that other people have about Americans.

Strangely enough, these people expect everyone to be able to speak english to them but somehow when they are being insulting they seem to act as though no one around them can understand what they are saying so they don't even have the common courtesy of lowering their voices. Funnily enough these same people who are like this are as I described. Good-hearted and well meaning. Most people know this and usually tolerate the behaviour. It kind of reminds me of Paris Hilton in that show "The Simple Life". While nice, she's also clueless when it comes to the normal type of life that people lead. She's like an exagarrated caricature for us all to shake our heads at (but she's not....she's a real person which makes it all the more outrageous). That's how a great many American tourists come across when visiting other countries.

I think too, that in the past 30 years or so, manners have become outdated. While some cultures still pound in manners, respect and courtesy into their kids heads, North Americans tend to let their kids be more forward and more expressive. There seems to be an eroding of respect for others. The American tourist of the 21st century/mew milenium is not the same kettle of fish as the one from days gone by.

Unfortunately, American foreign policy is a lot like these type of tourists I described. It just rubs some people the wrong way sometimes. it is most noticable at times when America is pushing it's weight around like the current situation surrounding the War in Iraq.

Someone mentioned earlier about some poll saying Canadian teens "hated" Americans. Teens are a different kettle of fish. They aren't very wordly but are "discovering" politics and social issues and the wider world around them for the first time. They think that they know and understand a lot more than they do. Teens, for the most part are rebellious. They usually like to complain about the system and American politics covers the gamut. It is exciting to follow these things and trendy to complain about something. With the War in Iraq, and the War in Terrorism, they've latched onto some sort of cause that will only get more logical when they mature and gain more life experiences. I'm sure they haven't thought these things through because they probably LOVE American musicians, movie stars, products etc...





Edited 7/30/2004 12:58 pm ET ET by suemox

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 12:35pm
You are one of those nice tourists that we all know and love.

It's interesting about english people speaking in a different language. I'm mainly english Canadian and while my french is good, I still speak with a slight english accent and sometimes have to pause and think about a word. Most of the time, they just switch to english. Even if their english is worse than my french. I suppose because most people DO at least understand (if not speak) some english we are used to hearing our language in any number of different accents but maybe those who speak other languages aren't quite used to the same (hearing German or French spoken with an english accent). Also, english grammar has probably the most flexible rules and can be understood quite well even if grammatically incorrect, unlike some languages. Maybe it sounds just awful to them (while we think english with a foreign accent sounds exotic)

:o)

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 12:46pm
That sound like a really good system. We don't get dental (though I think in Quebec, children get dental). Also, only older people on Social Security within a certain incmoe bracket and those in hospital get drug coverage (we can get extended coverage for these things through work....unless you are like me and a growing number of others who work on contract from home)

Interesting about the BC pills. I wonder what kind of poltical hot potato THAT would be in the US, giving free birth control pills to girls under 18. I wonder if any of our American friends would like to comment.

I'm glad to put you on my growing list of cancer survivors. YAY!

I had my mammogram this morning. It was the first one I've ever had. Interesting experience, having your breasts squashed down like a pancake.

:oD

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 1:01pm
I really hope all is well with you. I did have a big scare myself about 11 years ago (I was under 30 at the time) and all was good. I was told I just had 'fibrous' tissue or something to that affect. Which hospital did you go to? When do you get the results?

Cheers from across the river!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 1:10pm
I think that's what I must have..."fibrous tissue". I didn't go to a hospital. There's a clinic specializing in imaging technolgy in the west end of that city "across the river". I will be getting an ultrasound next week and should get the results shortly after that. I could have had the two appointments a little earlier but unfortunately I had to go out of town. Hope I'm not being silly delaying a few more days.

Is your ivillage email account set up? I haven't set mine up but I wouldn't mind emailing you. If you don't want to or your account isn't set up I'll understand. I'm a bit nervous about communicating with anyone on the internet. Especially considering how "infammatory" I can get sometimes on these boards.

:o)

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