Are you aware that our police, fire, garbage collection are all considered "socialist" systems? ?

Question

And if so, why do you support them, but not socialized healthcare?

Answer 1

a popular opinion among the "gotcha" crowd.....but wrong.

police, fire, sanitation...those are all "services" under the umbrella of a government's responsibility to protect the health and security of its citizens.  Their function is based on established laws....They do not define their own role in society.  Should the Fire Department write all the Fire Codes...?  Should the Police write all the criminal laws...?

If you feel those would be bad ideas, why are you so willing to abdicate your health care to an administrative bureaucracy...?

"socialized" health care creates a service that also happens to write it's own policies...your treatment will no longer be based on you, but on what the system determines is best for you.  Don't like their decision?   Well, to change it you'll need a lawyer and an appointment to get a review before the medical board....hope the problem's not serious...!

Another common fallacy is that Public Schools are also "socialism"...but let's look at it this way....How consistent is the quality of public education from one area to another?  Has the fact that it has made education "affordable and accessible" solved all our ills, or created more?  What makes you think a state-run medical system will be any less flawed?

Also notice that in many urban areas where public schools face the greatest challenges, one of the most successful solutions has been through the concept of "charter schools," in which local communities are encouraged to take more accountability in their own schools. ..in other words, the solution is for these "state" institutions to be run more like private-sector entities...

....neat idea....huh?

Answer 2

You're listening to the wrong radio shows. None of the services you listed are considered socialist by any stretch of the political pundits imagination.

Answer 3

Americans always say that socialism is evil and they don't want to end up like Europe, but fail to realize that there are so many socialist elements in this society. In addition to what you stated, the public school system is a socialist system. Social Security is a socialist program. Community colleges and state universities can also be considered socialist systems. Snow removal is a socialist system. The reason healthcare is so debated because the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are so powerful in this country and will move heaven and earth to make sure there is no universal/affordable healthcare.  

Answer 4

if you've ever had to deal with government-run healthcare, you'd understand.  

Do you really think you're going to get the same level of choice and service if the government is in charge of rationing and portioning out your health services?  

Take a number, wait in line, oh you didn't fill out the right forms, go back and fill them out, oh sorry you don't qualify for this procedure, you're too old for a heart bypass or chemo or whatever...younger people need it more than you.

Answer 5

Yes, I do know.  You forgot the the public education system.  And agencies like the FDA.  Conservatives are very shaky in the definition of "socialism".  Anything they don't like is socialism!

Edit: Hunter makes your point:  "none of the agencies is CONSIDERED..."

Answer 6

Okay, but they are ruled by higher authorities, hopefully. Elected officials are said to have authority over all agencies.

Answer 7

I advocate for a much smaller role of goverment. One that does not include fighting foreign wars on behalf of powerful corporate interests to the detriment of most people.

One very important role of government, however, includes:

Fire fighting

Police

Garbage

Sewage

and last, but not least:

Universal, single-payer health care system.

France, Canada, and Australia all have model systems that prove that they can extend the life of citizens for at least a few years. the life-expectancy of a French person is 3 years longer than the average American!

Answer 8

Don't look to the Republicans to take care of our veterans either.  That would be  'socialist, communist, marxist' whatever.  

See that argument is a RED HERRING for the crime they commit right in front of your face.

They are taking the most precious commodities and privatizing those industries to ensure higher profits for the few.  This leads to high health care costs (yes, under McCain your health care costs will go up.), high oil prices (that's the sweetest plum), bad food quality -cause, hey, it's cheaper if we don't have to go through all those quality checks.  So congress, almost every Republican and a few crooked Democrats, changes the laws to the whims of these companies.  Maybe 30 percent of Democrats are crooked.  The laws are written by these giant companies with a lobbyist to go with and do the convincing.  Even while these congressmen and senators know the truth of the evil they sign into law, they repeat the legal arguments of the lobbyists to sell the case.

They claim "those laws are unnecessary and lead to "frivolous lawsuits".

That's another Red Herring lie churning out of Washington these days 'the threat of frivolous lawsuits' as if people are suing giant multi-national corporations just for the money.  But clearly, they are protecting themselves from LEGITIMATE LAWSUITS.  Hence, the corrupt congress and White House:  Empowered, bribed, and blackmailed by corporate America to rule and oppress and control.

Please allow Barack Obama to stand up for America.  Register.