*sigh*

Nice of you to invent things which I never said. I never said that the Australian system was perfect by any means, there are plenty of things which can make it better. But the crux of it is that when it comes to having treatments to keep you alive or well, you should NEVER be having to stop before seeking treatment and thinking 'gee, can we afford this'.

That just SHOULD NOT cross your mind.

But seeing as you have this insane logic where you think it's ok that you had to pay $5K out of pocket lump sum right there to get your treatment then you have a mindset completely different to mine. I find it infinitely better to be paying taxes ongoing that I don't notice, taxes that are taken out consistently and put to good use, rather than having something happen and having to cough up THOUSANDS of dollars that I don't have.

Seriously, do you think that everyone puts aside the amount that we pay in taxes for a rainy day? Sure it's a good idea to always put aside money, but... you know... things come up, and well, look we have that money we put aside, let's use it to do X or Y. In our system, and that of other countries that have public health. We ongoing pay our taxes, and as such when things come up, well, we CAN'T have spent our 'health savings' as it's handled for us. And yes, some people will get more value out of the system than others. But if you begrudge someone getting more money spent of them for health care then truly you are a heartless, money grabbing bastard.

But I keep seeing Americans having fund rallies and setting up websites to ask for donations to pay for treatment for cancer or other such life threatening ailments. And yet you think this is a good way to be, that people constantly have to find a way to raise thousands of dollars to get treatment to keep themselves alive?

You have rationalized the insanity that you only paid $5000 for your treatment. Well, good on you for being able to FIND $5000. Most people would have a hard time coming up with that sort of money out of the blue.

Simply because something is necessary or important does not mean it should become a federal government entitlement - and CERTAINLY it doesn't mean it can or even should be 'free'.

HUH!? The very definition of 'Necessary' is that it's needed, that it's a service that is mandatory. And you're sitting there, typing away that it's bad economics for a government to provide that?

Your thinking, which would seem to be the thinking of the right wing, is a thinking I will NEVER come around to, because it is, at it's core, unjust and created by those who already HAVE money, who already CAN afford to self pay for things. It gives NO allowances for those who can't afford $5K medical treatments or $40K a year school fees. If there is a way you can have a government fund and pay such that these basic NECESSITIES are provided for all who need them, and do so in such a way that you are not stopping those who work hard from becoming successful, (Which, hey, we have plenty of rich people here you know, there's nothing stopping hard work making you shiteloads of cash in Australia) how can you be against that, I really don't get it.


>> ^Winstonfield_Pennypacker:
THAT is what is wrong with the US system, and THAT is what will ALWAYS put it below other countries like Australia, the UK etc. where we get access to still world class services and yet do not end up in financial difficulty
Your post is full of what can only be described as disingenous exaggerations. "Here Down Under, every citizen gets free health care, doesn't pay a dime, there are no waiting lines, and our care is world class. You poor, poor Americans... No one can afford care, you wait months for all your services, and your doctors & facilities are the equivalent of a witch doctor pulling up a cot in a shanty..."
BS. Not that I put much stock in the WHO list, but if the Aussie system is SO grand then why are they #32 on the list and the US is #37 despite being private? Clearly not all is beer and skittles in Oz's health care system. Anyway, I'm not impressed by anecdotal evidence. Know why? Because I've got my own story about how GREAT the US health care system is. I won't bore you with the details, but I consider getting a half-million in medical care for a total of $5K out of my pocket (tax free) to be a pretty good deal. "Oh yeah - but I got that much and it was FREE..!" Uh - bull. Taxes, copays, and such added all together and adjusted for currency exchange and you guys are paying as much (or more) in relative terms for your so-called 'free' system.
Regardless, the sentiment of your post demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of basic economics. Simply because something is necessary or important does not mean it should become a federal government entitlement - and CERTAINLY it doesn't mean it can or even should be 'free'.

THAT is what is wrong with the US system, and THAT is what will ALWAYS put it below other countries like Australia, the UK etc. where we get access to still world class services and yet do not end up in financial difficulty

Your post is full of what can only be described as disingenous exaggerations. "Here Down Under, every citizen gets free health care, doesn't pay a dime, there are no waiting lines, and our care is world class. You poor, poor Americans... No one can afford care, you wait months for all your services, and your doctors & facilities are the equivalent of a witch doctor pulling up a cot in a shanty..."

BS. Not that I put much stock in the WHO list, but if the Aussie system is SO grand then why are they #32 on the list and the US is #37 despite being private? Clearly not all is beer and skittles in Oz's health care system. Anyway, I'm not impressed by anecdotal evidence. Know why? Because I've got my own story about how GREAT the US health care system is. I won't bore you with the details, but I consider getting a half-million in medical care for a total of $5K out of my pocket (tax free) to be a pretty good deal. "Oh yeah - but I got that much and it was FREE..!" Uh - bull. Taxes, copays, and such added all together and adjusted for currency exchange and you guys are paying as much (or more) in relative terms for your so-called 'free' system.

Regardless, the sentiment of your post demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of basic economics. Simply because something is necessary or important does not mean it should become a federal government entitlement - and CERTAINLY it doesn't mean it can or even should be 'free'.

QM: I asked a question about which country had superior health care to the USA's. It wasn't properly answered, and I don't expect it to be in a VS post.

Let me answer, from personal experience.

I have mentioned on the sift a number of times about my son who has a host of congenital heart defects. Here in Melbourne Australia we have some of the best heart surgeons in the world, we have access to them, he has had a number of operations and is doing great now. We've spent months in total in hospitals getting fantastic care, and have not been out of pocket once other than the cost of medicine, which is heavily subsidized such that a month worth of medicine (which he has daily) would come to around $12 or so.

There is a large community on the web of parents of children with heart conditions, and those in the US are always mentioning how MUCH money they have to spend to have these procedures done on their children. Fundraisers have to take place, houses have to be remortgaged etc.

It's NOT right to be in a position where you NEED life saving procedures and yet have to wait until you can find the money.

THAT is what is wrong with the US system, and THAT is what will ALWAYS put it below other countries like Australia, the UK etc. where we get access to still world class services and yet do not end up in financial difficulty because of it.

If you think that a system which limits access to life saving procedures to those with access to lots of money is right, well, good on you, you're either very rich, plan to never get sick, or have some unwavering belief that your health insurance will never turn down a claim.

I think its because I am flexible with low standards and even lower self esteem.

In reply to this comment by gwiz665:
I did wonder why the 2007 Dallas Mavericks recommended you as a "friend". The more you know.

In reply to this comment by inflatablevagina:
The good thing about me is I always put out. Why do you think I have so many friends???

In reply to this comment by gwiz665:
That's cause you don't put out.

In reply to this comment by inflatablevagina:
Aren't you supposed to vote on everything I put up? I thought we were friends!!!

In reply to this comment by gwiz665:
When whoring you must at least be topical.

In reply to this comment by inflatablevagina:
I like how you use your comments as a way to whore yourself out.


In reply to this comment by gwiz665:
Oh Talking Tina.. I need your... softness.

I did wonder why the 2007 Dallas Mavericks recommended you as a "friend". The more you know.

In reply to this comment by inflatablevagina:
The good thing about me is I always put out. Why do you think I have so many friends???

In reply to this comment by gwiz665:
That's cause you don't put out.

In reply to this comment by inflatablevagina:
Aren't you supposed to vote on everything I put up? I thought we were friends!!!

In reply to this comment by gwiz665:
When whoring you must at least be topical.

In reply to this comment by inflatablevagina:
I like how you use your comments as a way to whore yourself out.


In reply to this comment by gwiz665:
Oh Talking Tina.. I need your... softness.

LOL, don't exploit animals, but it's OK to exploit and objectify women, and make a mockery of a peoples' revolution!

This is why I hate PETA, they always put animals above humans.

hold on...one more thing...I've asked it before and I'll ask it again...why do these people always put ferns on the stage? Now that I've seen Zach G.'s stuff all I can ever think about is "Between Two Ferns" when I see these things!

Also helps if your victim always puts his free hand behind his back.

Cops are needed rougy. Given that they make bad decisions from time to time, and over exert themselves in more than one occasion.

But that is really a small price to pay compared to what it would be like when cops aren't there to help you.

Many of you are so pent up on this 'the big bully' image of cops that you really forget how necessary they are, and why they act certain ways.



And as for the 'cat and mouse' theory, again you can just flip that story and say that you guys shouldn't expect the worst and act like dicks in front of cops. They're there to help you out and inform you what's going wrong and what's legal. You don't wanna be bothered by the cops? Don't provoke them, and don't do retarded shit that's borderline illegal. Is that so hard?



When I was in college I was getting a ride from one of my friend. His right headlight happened to be out in the rain, and the cop stopped us for it.

We didn't give the guy any attitude. We said we were sorry and we weren't aware of it. Told the cop we'll fix it as soon as the shops open on this coming monday.

That's it, the cop let us go with just a warning.



Next case, typical college kids drinking beer on the front porch. The cops approach us while riding a bike. They see that a few kids were gathered up, so they just give us a warning not to get too rowdy. Okay, thank you, have a good night. That's it. But as soon as the cop walks past the road curve I hear one of my friends murmur 'fucking pigs'.

And I am sure the cop actually heard these words over his shoulder. But he chooses to ignore it, and goes back on his patrol route.

Now, what did this cop do so wrong anything other than to tell you to be careful? He was just informing you that such laws exists, and reminding you of it. Because he doesn't want you to get in trouble, and they don't wanna bust in a good going crowd and ruin your fun either. Why do you need to call them names?



A lot of you always put yourself in the 'individual' category, but I recommend you put yourself in the 'enforcers' perspective once in a while. Then you'll start to see why certain things happen, and why misunderstandings can happen.

Cops are people too. Regular joes with friends and family. They're not here to ruin your day or out there just because they love to 'cap some ass'.


There's always been strong bias and wrongly placed animosity towards any types of authority by blue collar working class. And here in videosift we've got women's rights activists, environmentalists, pro-gay, pro-choice activists and what have you, fighting for individual rights and minorities. But Even YOU, VideoSifters aren't free from bias against authority figures, just because they have that title.

Damn.......I sound very republican right now don't I? LOL

People contribute in many ways. It isn't always measured in votes or sifts.
In any event .. it's not spam. It's an opinion.


>> ^Edeot:
I'm sorry, maybe I'm in the minority here, but I don't see why you guys put up with this crap.
It's spam. There's no reason this should be cross-posted to the main page.
Of course, you could always put up with it if the poster is a contributing member, but he's not.
He doesn't <a rel="nofollow" href="http://worldaffairs.videosift.com/member/imstellar28/published</a>. And when he does, he later kills them. All of them (check his comments).
He barely even fucking votes on anything. 18 votes cast so far.
And now he's proven himself to be a troll.
Fuck'em. Discard this shit.

I'm sorry, maybe I'm in the minority here, but I don't see why you guys put up with this crap.

It's spam. There's no reason this should be cross-posted to the main page.

Of course, you could always put up with it if the poster is a contributing member, but he's not.

He doesn't post videos. And when he does, he later kills them. All of them (check his comments).

He barely even fucking votes on anything. 18 votes cast so far.

And now he's proven himself to be a troll.

Fuck'em. Discard this shit.

Always put the E brake on.

>> ^dag:
I agree with Warren Buffet that in investing you should stick to what you know - the same goes for a side job.
Beyond sticking to what you know, it's good if it's something you're really passionate about.


The problem with sticking with what I know is that I worked in an industry that doesn't exist in the Pacific Northwest and one that I have no desire to work in. I completely fell into the IT world by accident and really enjoy it. No matter what side businesses I start, IT will always be in the picture.

Passion is definitely needed if the knowledge isn't there. That is what will keep a person motivated, learning more, having fun, and maintaining a positive attitude.

blankfist -> I agree. Thanks for the link. What are the main programming languages you use, if I might ask?

Krupo -> It is wise to be cautious when starting something that you don't know much about. Luckily for me, most of the side-business I want to pursue will be mostly intellectual and physical effort with minimal cash invested.

roughy -> Working for yourself does give you the freedom from the corporate world. Responsibility too, but I think the freedom is easily worth it. Sorry to hear about how your job ended. My friend just got fired from work because one of the supervisors didn't like him and made every effort to always put him in the worst light. It was clear what was going on, but everyone else with any authority just ignored it following the strong corporate tradition of "cover your own ass."

Farhad2000 -> I feel your pain. I remember several years ago when I was working at this job that I slowly drifted towards hating. When it was time to leave for work, I could feel the emotional heaviness actually dragging my body down. lol... I guess that wasn't very encouraging, was it? Well, lesson learned right? Get it done and remember the experience so that, hopefully, you don't get caught in a similar situation again.

Here every day. Except some weekends when away from internet.

Usual stops are the Top 15, SiftTalk, Blogs, my own queue, the discussions around featured comments and sometimes the deadpool.

If the amount of time I spent here so far would be translated into a dollars per hour I´d have a small house by now.

When asked about addictions on medical forms I always put: videosift.com

My wife thinks I am crazy for spending so much time here, but lets me anyway.
That´s why I married her.

I've noticed that in the museum galleries, they always put the benches in front of the Rothkos.