And FYI, the people who CHOOSE to be poor is in clear minority. Don't always proclaim that people should 'get their act together'. That is very narrow-minded of you.

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Not really. It's ok to live, work, prosper and be very happy with very modest means. People have been doing it for centuries and continue to do it today. My post was mainly referencing the people who have been institutionalized for 30-40 years and 2 or 3 generations into expecting and demanding a government handout for their solitary means of support, health care, etc. Obviously some people don't choose to be poor or don't necessarily like being poor. But when those same people do nothing but clamor for handouts, as opposed to bootstrapping and striving for self improvement.

I listened to an interview a long time ago with this guy on the east cost, who at one point was lving on the street, addicted to narcotics, and generally not doing anything with himself or for himself. A few years later, the guy was off the street, off the junk, had a good paying job and was living a decent middle class lifestyle.

Of course people would ask him all the time how he managed to do so well for himself. He always gave the same "one word" reply which became his motto to live by ....... "yagottawanna"

Yagottawanna get off your butt and do something about the situation. Get off the junk? Yagottawanna. Earn a better living? Yagottawanna. Stay stright and sober? ... etc. etc.

Believe me, I've been there. Lived in the ghetto. Tried to help people addicted to government welfare. Been broke diggin' in the couch for pennies so I could eat. It's not easy. It's hard. But people do it all the time.

Money can't buy happiness. That's true enough. But poverty can't either.

So you think most people without healthcare coverage in the United States are lazy? 

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I love how you twist words around to make a false accusation. Those are your words not mine and I don't appreciate the way you twist them around.

So let's get back to reality and tell the truth. Do you really mean health insurance or health coverage? Insurance is one thing, coverage is another.

With very rare exceptions (and those are represensible in my opinion), anyone can go anywhere in America and receive top quality healthcare without being able to demonstrate an ability to pay.

Let's take the state of Maryland for example. In that state, it is a criminal offense for a hospital to turn anyone away. So it doesn't happen. There is 100% coverage for anyone that needs it. Yet the way it is handled and paid for is a total debacle of red tape and bureaucracy.

Yes I believe that people are entitled to health coverage. No I don't believe people are entitled to health insurance.

I get health insurance because I PAY FOR IT!! Why should someone else get the same thing for free at my expense.

However, if one is going to be giving free health coverage at the expense of other taxpayers, then it should be incumbent on that person to take proper steps to keep themselves healthy (regular checkups, preventative medicine, etc.).

Now what do you think is wrong with any of those points?

Ok, first of all, I have to apologize to Boon Mee, because I attributed the wrong quote to him. Secondly, I read it a little to fast before signing out. So, I probably wouldn't of called the comment disgusting out right if I had read the entire post properly, but after reading your latest comments, it seems to all end up there anyway.

Actually, I'm about to sign off again, so we'll probably have to continue this debate/discussion/whatever after Christmas.

I'm not trying to twist words to make an accusation, Spee - don't need to. I can tell you straight up that your arguments take us there anyway. Many people without health care insurance end up in private hospitals' emergency care and end up being turned away to state hospitals. I've heard of this happening for at least several years now so I'm surprised that you belabor the point between "coverage and insurance". Also, I'm surprised that a conservative would advocate such fiscal irresponsibility, especially since the private hospitals end up in dire financial straits and end up passing that on to the private consumer and the taxpayers

anyway.

Bottom line: Civilized countries do not leave people to die in the street, or ask them for money before administering life-saving medicine or care. There can be paid, private health insurance and a basic care and catastrophic universal insurance. The fact that we are one of the only Western developed countries not to provide such universal insurance is a source of shame and embarrassment. It is inexcusable.

Basically, your whole argument against insurance is an argument against healthcare for the poor. And one other thing: I grow weary of these people who like to brag that they lived in the ghetto, for what, 2.3 years of your life?

Unless yor were born, raised, and reared by a family that had no way out, you are a visitor to another lifestyle. You are certainly not trapped by a cycle of poverty, inferiority complexes, substandard education, and a constant condition of being permanently behind.

I have to go now.

Still Think Bush Caused Terrorism?

Euro terrorism was first, according to the Telegraph (UK):

"Zarqawi thinks he is bigger than Iraq," a British source said. "He is spreading his tentacles in Europe. There is a sense that attacks are inevitable.

"Even before the invasion of Iraq, Zarqawi had a network in Europe that provided funds and recruits. The same pipeline will sooner or later pump the other way, from Iraq to Europe."

Another "blame Bush" myth exploded.