[kj] Congrats Obama

[B. Oliver Sheppard]

I didn't say the rest of the world, I said like other Western 
industrialized nations. Right now when it comes to US eligioisty, 
executions etc., we're much more like the Middle East. So the US is 
"like everyone else" in some parts of the planet, Ironically, the US 
wants a pluralistic demoracy w/ public eductaion, freedom of religion, 
and a European style hc system for Iraq, a generosity it barely extends 
to its own people.

You're right, the US should do what's in its own interests. Those would 
be adopting some sort of universal coverage (US pays 16% of its GDP, 
more than any other OECD nation, but dos not guarantee coverage like 
they do, has far less better outcomes, etc. Average OECD expenditure on 
health care is about 9% of GDP, and those are countries that guarantee 
health care -- Japan, Australia, Spain, germany, Switzerland, etc., etc.)

If the govt' is here to protect and defend, it could start protecting 
and defending peoples' heath. Or do you mean it just needs to be a 
fist-pumping jingoist military garrison state or something? "Protect and 
defend its people" is what anyone would claim they want, and there are 
multiple ways to do that. Bt by industrialized world standards, we're a 
sorry lot. By non-industrialized nations' standards we're par for the 
course.

-Oliver


The Exorcist wrote:

> YAY. WOOOHOO! Join the rest of the world be like everyone else.

> Gimme a break. The US should do what's in its best interest for its 

> people.

> It's not a fucking popularity contest to get "the world" to love you.

> The Gov't is here to protect, secure and defend. Not baby sit.

>