SICKO is an amazing, poignant movie, just out on DVD, that impacted me deeply

The experience of watching this movie was like having a series of "ah-ha" moments because I had no idea how the health coverage of other major industrial nations was implemented.

This movie is fantastic, disturbing as hell, and in my opinion Moore's best film by a wide margin. It is also heartbreaking, and frightening. Kudos to Michael Moore. I wish I had half of his courage.

I used to have health insurance, but after suffering two serious incidents--and seeing the denials-of-coverage by my insurance carrier, including one denial for an ambulance ride that the paramedics ordered me to undergo--I decided to just stop getting health insurance altogether and, rather, to attempt to live as healthy a life as humanly possible.

Which of the Democratic candidates offers the best health insurance program?

Hillary, as much as I respect her, has apparently accepted a lot of money from the health care industry. But when she was First Lady, she was very passionate about the topic of giving health care to all of us. Where does she stand now? Is she going to return to her own, older ideals about providing health care for all of us?

Imagine what the three trillion this war in Iraq could have done for all of us, here, domestically? Isn't it a shame?


ON EDIT: I'm not trying to single out Hillary Clinton, but she is mentioned in the film--and I recall her trying so hard to get us all better insurance and how she was beat down.

I think this was the best documentary ever made. I think the oscars should have the cojones to give it best film (not best documentary), but I doubt they will.

It was traumatic to watch that film, and I can't say that about too many other films except maybe one documentary about East Timor, made a long time ago.

Of political movies I like Lumumba (about Patrice Lumumba who was killed by the CIA), and Motorcycle Diaries (about Che 'on the road') roughly as much. I also like All the King's Men about a populist governor of Louisiana.

even though I've never had "health insurance"..and have only done preventative measures over the years that have,so far, helped(knock on wood).

It's strong discipline for me but worth it because I don't have the money for "insurance"..Nor do have the money to take off from work and I'd rather use my "personal time" for vacation instead of "sick leave".

I never planned for this but since the early '80's I saw what can happen from the side effects of "prescriptions" and got myself on another path that I was already investigating. :)

I'd like to see Sicko so I'll be able to talk about Michael's view on our mainstream health insurance issues.

The only way I could get insurance when I was young was because my parents bought it for me. I didn't really want it. But they sort of forced me to have it, and for that I'm thankful. But now I'm more like you are, just trying my damndest to live a healthy life.

But I'm quite concerned in spite of that, because I'm not perfect, and because I know too many healthy people who have come down with very bad cancers or other illnessses.

somewhat, too, when I hear about things like, but mostly it happens to people who use their bodies as a taste testing machine(lots of junk food) with no thought to live nutrition. Who knows what's going on inside somebody? All you do is stay Alkaline and get a lot of live enzymes in ya..much harder for cancer cells and tumors to appear or grow in an alkaline environment.

This is just one source of info..as always, one needs to beware of the source.

snip~
"Book Description
In many ways, The pH Miracle is reminiscent of an earlier generation of diet books. Much of the focus is on an intestinal cleansing program, followed by a diet that is 70 to 80 percent vegetables, coupled with a tremendous selection of supplements that authors Robert and Shelley Young recommend to everyone, no matter what their age, gender, or state of health. The Youngs point their fingers at candida as a main culprit in the poor health of many people. Unfortunately, they back up their claims with only vague references, such as "a 1991 study" and "a leading cancer researcher." Many readers may wish for more specific evidence, but instead will have to make do with enthusiastic recommendations, alphabetized lists of vegetables, and pleasing chapters with vegetarian recipes that taste good no matter how you feel about the diet as a whole. Sprinkled throughout the book are short testimonials of people who were able to reverse cancer, improve their digestion, and lower their cholesterol by following these recommendations, and it's hard to argue with the cholesterol-lowering results that a 70 percent vegetable diet will achieve. Still, the medical value of much else in the book remains hotly contested, and as always, it's wise to check with your doctor before starting off in search of miracles." --Jill Lightner


http://www.amazon.com/pH-Miracle-Balance-Reclaim-Health/dp/044669049X

I definitely know about the pH connection to cancer, but it's really reassuring to know someone else here at DU who knows about it as well. I just try to make my diet 80% raw, uncooked foods. I've tried four times to go vegan, but I've not yet been successful, so there is a small amount of meat in my diet (which I'm ashamed of).

I shoot for four hours of exercise a day, which is probably overdoing it.

before:) I guess "extreme" would be another thing to avoid..I can't really talk on that too much, though:(

I think some people may be geared towards more eating meat than others. It's not for me(health/digestability) but you may do fine in moderation with good quality meat. No shame!

Fours a day..I wish I would do it for one hour a day but I can't make myself do anything every day! Who knows? We're all so different..

I work in a co-op so I'm around health oriented issues and products a lot.. and people who come in who are changing their diets and all kinds of interesting scenarios. That's another incentive..since I work in a health store I darn well better feel and look good! B-)

But I just get so sick and tired when I don't take it. I have tried so many times, and I do take tons of vitamins and supplements. It's just a mystery to me why this is so hard for me.

As for the exercise, that is just a passion for me. I love to get up very very early in the morning, like 3 AM, and listen to progressive talk radio, do yoga, lift weights, and then I get an hour or so running with my dog. That is just luck or really liking to move my body. Everyone is different and not everyone can afford the luxury of exercise or even buying healthy food anymore.

Junk food is the cheapest food, and sad to say, most Americans are overfed and undernourished, and I don't think it's their fault, because I see what they buy at the grocery store, and they are trying to eat well, but they just don't know what is healthy.

I did eat it..but, my blood type is A- and they supposedly do better on a Veg diet which I didn't know my blood type until after I was a Vegan for a long time.

That's cool what you do ..getting up and exercising with your dog and if it makes you feel healthy then it's all good.

The good news is the natural health industry(organic produce and natural foods stores) has grown exponentially since I was dabbling in it in the '70's. I'm up here the middle of New York State where there use to be a lot of dairy farms and many many villages and small towns but that doesn't stop the peeps from all surrounding areas from coming in and getting Organic Produce and Red Yeast Rice for their cholesterol. We're so busy..thank the Universe!

You have been on the right track for a long time. I really didn't wake up until I was around the age of thirty, ten years ago. And I still have room for improvement. Eh, it's depressing.... But congratulations to you, that is awesome you have been on this path for a long time. You will have a wonderful, vigorous life.

and shouldn't even bother trying to keep it up.

nice to be AGAIN. I'm 63 and have to be on this path cause I really want my Golden Years to be Golden when I go back to Kauai in 3 years.

And, it's never too late..I may have started it waaaay back then but it wasn't linear, for real. So many diversions BUT diversion time has been over for about hmmm, 5 years. The incentive finally got too strong for me to veer.

It's actually much better to be responsible for our own health, if possible..that way you get to know your own body. It's not like we're seperate from it..pay attention to those Chakras, too. RoyGBiv:)



http://www.fssuniverse.org/chakra-guide.htm

I have this relatively new in my life..chart(laminated) and carry it around with me with the mood suits.

I am also very much a believer in the chakras, yoga and the inner winds. It's so reassuring to talk to someone else who has these beliefs. Thank you for your posts, and your inspirations. It's pretty lonely on the Path.

The longer you're on it the less lonely it gets cause the rewards are stellar!

just because you fear modern medicine or coping with insurance companies? I am.

I admit this is totally irrational, because I can afford to be insured and am young enough and healthy enough to get insured, but I am absolutely terrified of the entire thing, the health industry, the insurance companies, all of it.