Chaseus_Clay t1_jdj7pmv wrote on March 24, 2023 at 7:51 PM

Reply to comment by Kailaylia in A study shows that patients with the most serious health issues who thought that continuing the treatment would result in destitution only had an estimated 24% chance of continuing treatment, while those thinking paying fees would not negatively affect their financial situations had a 95% likelihood by nmhhg8

And to think only a few Americans had to die to keep y'all safe from the Japanese! For real, it's frustrating as a working class American knowing how much of my earnings go to protecting the rest of the world. People overseas have no idea

ncktckr t1_jdji853 wrote on March 24, 2023 at 9:00 PM

You're focused on the wrong boogyman. We spend obscene amounts of money on military power and soft power, yes. It benefits some people outside the US, but it benefits us the most geopolitically. We should spend less, or at least not continually increase the amount, and put money into programs that help people, yes.

Isolationism and xenophobia aren't as nice as they sound to some on paper. They would not improve the condition of our country's people; in fact, they'd likely worsen many of America's ills… see Brexit as an example.

Instead of focusing on what political leaders want you to focus on—arbitrary large numbers you have no influence on or control over—maybe try understanding the world's bigger picture, the benefits and harms of an international economy, what chess pieces are on the board and why. Perhaps most importantly, focus on participating in your local government (city, county, state; not federal) to advocate for issues, or at least vote for like-minded leaders.

There are no quick fixes in such an extremely complex and interdependent system, unfortunately. Not ideal, but it is what it is.

Chaseus_Clay t1_jdjq002 wrote on March 24, 2023 at 9:54 PM

You typed a lot but said essentially nothing past "participate at local elections" which doesn't focus on the problems of not having time to research candidates or that only a certain "type" of person gets the chance to run for local office. I really think that you aren't as aware of and educated on the issues you pretend to care about

Kailaylia t1_jdl3u1i wrote on March 25, 2023 at 4:34 AM

That's a strangely aggressive and irrelevant reply to someone who feels sorry for Americans for their abominably cruel health-care system.

Your medical insurance companies are ripping you off. They inflate the costs of services, then add on their own charges, and the result is Americans pay exceptionally high costs for substandard health care.

Chaseus_Clay t1_jdl4idt wrote on March 25, 2023 at 4:41 AM

Money that could go to our healthcare instead goes to keeping the world and international trade (which in a capitalist system is the world) safe for all. The security provided by the US isn't charity, but it might as well be if you're European or Japanese or Australian etc

Kailaylia t1_jdl64os wrote on March 25, 2023 at 4:59 AM

You're not getting it - as in reasonably priced health care.

Your medical system is costing both your government and your people obscene amounts of money.

Free medical care for all does not cost more, it costs less.

You need to free medicine from the greedy leeches, (health insurance companies,) using health-care as a way to siphon money from hospitals and from those needing medical care.