Larry Elder: The uninsured would have insurance if they stopped buying iPods.....

from the American Family Assn's OneNewsNow, likely the only "news" source that would accept this garbage:



'45 million Americans' -- who are those guys?
Larry Elder - Syndicated Columnist - 6/18/2009 10:05:00 AM


About 45 million Americans lack healthcare insurance. Or do they?

A pro-"universal healthcare" television host recently cited this widely accepted "fact." The number is bogus.

Here's the skinny.

Start with the math. We have 300 million Americans. Subtract the 45 million -- 15 percent of us -- with no health insurance. That leaves 255 million Americans, or 85 percent, with it.

And the insurance is lousy, right? Not according to a 2006 ABC News/Kaiser Family Foundation/USA Today survey. It found that 89 percent of Americans were satisfied with the quality of their own healthcare.

Nearly half of the 45 million fall in the category of my 26-year-old nephew. He smokes cigarettes, dates, eats out, goes to movies and, like all young people, lives through his cell phone. With a slight change in priorities, he could afford health insurance, the cost of which at his age and health starts at about $100 a month. Take a look at a Reason Foundation video of interviews with a bunch of non-health-insured 20-somethings.

These Gen Xers copped to dropping money on clothes, booze, nightlife, the latest tech gizmos and other things of interest to them. With a change in priorities, these young folks -- far more representative of those without insurance than the forlorn husband and wife sitting on a porch swing -- could both afford and qualify for health insurance. They simply consider it a low priority. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=571842

Who doesn't know this?

Damnit, I want my ipod. If I go to a hospital who won't see me because I can't pay upfront, will they give me an ipod as a consolation gift?

If you have accumulated enough Thoughtless Hedonist Points, you can redeem them at the Apple Store for a free iPod. Hospitals don't hand out door prizes, but if you ask around with the orderly staff there will probably be someone who can direct you to a nearby "back alley" where you may procure what you're looking for.

This is a sign of a very sick society.

And people who are insured and have been lucky enough not to need their coverage are responsible. That's that.

:sarcasm:

Is it solid gold, and does it have such a huge memory that you can spend $1,000 per month on iTunes?

Whatta douchenozzle.

:puke:

:dem:

-Laelth

Hey, Elder, here is a special message for you.

its citizens the same? (I'll agree Americans - and Europeans are too busy consuming and befouling the Earth, but won't agree that that is why 50 million Americans don't have health insurance).

I remember in the supermarket in a department store in Hamburg - I was the only person in line who required a paper bag. EVERYONE else had their canvass bag with them.

recycling bin if I really need one).

"It found that 89 percent of Americans were satisfied with the quality of their own healthcare."

That may mean they like their doctor, or they feel better after they take their drugs. It says nothing about how they feel about insurance companies ripping them off.

so we'll have $ left for health care.

Yes, I agree that Gen X'ers need to reassess their priorities if they are overspending on toys and gadgets and neglecting the basic necessities of life. However, health insurance costs a hella lot more than that even for that age!

If only you would dedicate ALL your disposable income to an insurance company.

Boy, he makes it sound so good.....

for a form of nationalized health services like many other countries have, where you're automatically paid up in the system by virtue of paying taxes?

Seriously. Yes, people who should and could pay for insurance don't do it when they're young and healthy. But they can get sick too. Meanwhile the money they're not contributing has to be made up by others. Which makes insurance more expensive and makes young people who're years away from their peak earning period think, I can't afford this!

His Libertarian propaganda just makes Single Payer look all the more like the most (and maybe only) rational choice.

to not have an ipod $150 to $260 a year for health insurance works for me.

Hold the mofo to it.