Gauntlet-smashing time.... Game is on!!!

Here's where I stand on the whole "Health care" issue.... no more messing around... No apologies.... no mercy... I'm sick of the whole ball of CRAP!!!... and if you wanna argue w/ me, please indulge me...

• anyway...point one: historical....

     My grandfather, Gordon (or "pocky" as we called him) was a SERIOUSLY hardcore republican... and, more importantly, he was a physician... a family practitioner in the pacific Northwest, who also happened to serve in the U.S. Army in the European theater during the "Battle of the Bulge".... yes, in France, and amongst some of the most voracious fighting that this country's servicemen have EVER seen)...and he EVEN HE, after such time, was a proponent of "socialized [yes SOCIALIZED] medicine."... (his words, not mine).... in the 1950's.... again as a hardcore republican...

• ... another point... factual....

     Many people have pointed to the absolute failure of heath-care systems such as the U.K.'s or Canada's systems... Why, than is it that after 60+ years of British societal-wide public health coverage have they not, a.), turned in to a sickly 3rd world country, or b), a Marxist, totalitarian empire?.. I don't think ANY of the hardcore-y-est of hardcore pundits would accuse the U.K. of being an ideal model of worldwide Marxism! I mean, even Thatcher wouldn't have DARED to touch English health care as it stood/stands... not without SEROUS social upheaval! (and that's not EVEN factoring in such successes as the German, French, Austrian, or COUNTLESS other public health care systems throughout the WORLD, which are nary mentioned amongst critics...

• ...Another point.. personal/emotional

 I grew up with socialized medicine... I was a benefactor....

     Was it PERFECT?... of course not... man, I remember some lines.. sure!... but, as a son of a naval officer, did I(or my mum) ever doubt that I could get a check-up... or a strep test... or some antibiotics if I really needed them?... without paying ANYTHING (let alone wondering which credit card I could use to pay for it?)?
        ... no man, I didn't...and health care was NEVER a factor for me and my family, only because my pop was Navy....That sounds crass, man, but as I get older, I see more and more that that's the truth...

• My last point... for now...(even more personal)...

       ..I just lost about a third of my #2 top molar... just because I haven't had decent dental care in about 2 1/2 years... you see, my employer refuses to grant me benefits, 'cause on their books, I'm officially a "temp" worker... though I do 40 hours a week, but must dread holidays, because I don't get paid for them

an extension of what I call ... the Retail trick..

      Many modern and otherwise "ethical" employers hire on a majority of employees as "part-timers"... working them for 37.5 hours per week (with a strict 'no overtime' policy) while on the books, a full time employee would be anyone working 38 or more hours...and thus eligible for benefits...

            Do I bore you?... if you've ever worked for an honest wage at a humble trade, I hope not.. my intent, at the least, is to rally you.. to piss you off!!!

and if you can't relate at all.... well... I TRULY feel sorry for you... 'cause I don't think you have a soul... seriously....

          You wanna call me a Socialist?!?! ....Fine.... I can deal with that... But you'll only be telling me that your part of (what I hope is) a dying world... one that puts selfishness above your fellow man/woman... and I'll pity you... and I hope that someday you'll be able to see beyond your own petty, limited world...

G'night, and..... namaste', bitches...

-m