Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth into a small section of society who control capital, and creates an unequal society.All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved.
To me, the greatest reason why I would ever become a Socialist is health care.
100% Free health care. (tax funded of course)
Maybe I am crazy but as far as I am concrned, health care is a Right, not a Privilege which only a certain percentage of society should have access to.
Every human being should have access to free and high quality health care without being asked for a Credit Card or Insurance Certificate, Surely even the most staunch Capitalist would agree that this "basic" human right should be met.
What amazes me about the American system of health care, is the large number of people who seem to have been brainwashed into accepting that any kind of 'free' system is bad because..
Free healthcare = socialism and socialism is a bad word.
Many people in the United States seem happy to pay for medical insurance cover and also seem to believe that it will provide in their darkest hour of need, the cover which it proclaims. I would have serious doubts over trusting a private company to pay for my medical bills, especially after watching the movie 'Sicko' where it was revealed that these companies actually employ people to deliberatly look for reasons to 'deny' your cover and often find one, no matter how small and insignificant that reason is.
I would much prefer to trust the government with my health care. Why? because I believe in democracy, I believe that for the most part, my government (in this case NZ and UK) can be trusted to look after the people. They do not seek profit and therefore are highly unlikely to deny my rights for medical care.
Does this make me A Socialist?
further reading >
P.s. If you are against free health care and don't mind paying for cover, that's fine, but what about Police, Schools, Fire service? Should you get a bill from the Police when they arrest a criminal on your property? should you fork out a few thousand dollars for the fire dept who successfully extinguish your burning home?
Muzzerino.
Keep Our NHS Public!
8 comments:
I have no clue about socialism or capitalism or any other ism that falls into this category. But free, high quality health care should be a right rather than a privelage. The NHS have been amazing for me this last year. I know it's a drain on the government and they are strapped for cash but it is such a necessity that half us Brits take completely for granted. We should realise how lucky we are.
Hiya!
thanks for the comment, I am glad to see that people do appreciate the NHS, here in NZ health care is "mostly" free but you do have to pay to see the doctor etc, something I took for granted in Scotland.
You are right, Brits do take the NHS for granted, look at the Americans, millions cannot "afford" health care, "afford?" why should money come into it? is that not what Taxes are for?
Long live he NHS!
Nothing is Free. The resources required to provide nationalized health care must be purchased and the service providers paid. That requires the collection and redistribution of wealth from one person to another. Any involuntary redistribution of wealth could also be called theft. And yes, subscribing to this sort of "Entitlement Ideology" while advocating theft in the name of "equality" would certainly identify you as a socialist in my neck of the woods.
I am in the lowest 25% income bracket in the US but manage to carry private health care insurance for my family of four and we make serious sacrifices in order to afford it. I certainly don't feel it's my right to have it and would never advocate forcing another family to pay my family's way. I do feel people have a right to not be DENIED the ability to purchase coverage with their own hard earned dollars for reasons like race, sexual preference or known conditions. I know this is an unpopular opinion but I wanted to share another point of view. Best Wishes!
hey Texas,
of course nothing is free, thats why we pay taxes. taxes pay for the resources. I feel sorry for you that you must make serious sacrifices for such a basic human right.
I have nothing against the US, but I have to say when it comes to healthcare, I am glad I don't live there.
As far as private healthcare goes, from what I have seen in the documentary 'sicko' many people 'think' they are covered, only to be denied when they need it... this would worry me.
All the best!
P.S.
Texas, I forgot to ask you this, why don't you play for the police? or fire service? or schools?
Is this some kind of 'entitlement Ideology' too?
If you 'are' happy for your taxes to pay for the police then why not for your health?
Surely you would agree that these are services that all members of society benefit from.
I say taxes/government should provide the basics/essentials in life and let private business do the best.
I honestly think that any monetary figure attributed to a health problem should not involve the patient. Cancer costs you X and a broken leg will cost you Y and so on....
I think it is at the very height of an unethical practice.
Texas,
There are social "common", such as public education, defense, highways, police, fire protection, etc. which are all funded by "redistributing" as you call it. I believe access to quality healthcare is one of those "commons".
I very much agree with almost everything said in this article, up until the point where the government is mentioned. To trust any central government to look after the people, to provide health care for the people, etc. That's completely crazy, in a perfect world without corruption, greed, deception, secrecy, power struggle, etc., ya then that would work. The government does so seek profit! When you have all the power, you control the money, you can do whatever you want. You want the government to decide whether or not your life is worth saving or not? No thanks, I'd rather find another way, don't need politicians arguing over my health care, health care must be efficient and that's not. Real socialism would not have a social hierarchy in any way, which would mean no central government of power. Though true socialism could never exist here on earth due to the struggle of good & evil, so there would still need to be basic laws and basic human rights. Oh and by the way, taxes pay for police, schools, fire service, etc. We could just pay a health care tax? Many firefighters are volunteers, good luck getting nurses and doctors to volunteer. Well, that's it for now.
Thing is JonG, if we live in a democracy, then we have little choice to allow that democracy to run our lives. I may not think that a central government in a perfect system, but if it is for the people and by the people, I would rather trust them with my healthcare than give that trust to a private company.
Governments want profit, yes. But they also have to provide service.
I trust my government to send the police when I need them, fire service when I need them, and to provide emergency care when I need them. They have always come through for me.
You assume that a government would make the micro-decision to decide whether your life is worth saving or not. Governments don't do that, at least most western democracies don't. But a company, which is about to lose a hundered thousand dollars treating your cancer will.
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