Healthcare in France seems to be fairly successful as I pointed out in my post. If you read the Wiki article you'll see that it's a mixture of private enterprise and government intervention.

You are comparing apples and oranges.

France has a population of some 65 million people, which is slightly more than Texas and California combined.

France has a GDP of $2.2 Trillion, which is nearly $1 Trillion LESS than Texas and California.

We are talking here about a US population of 313 Billion against 65 billion and a US GDP of $15.1 Trillion against a French GDP of $2.2 Trillion.

The European Union has a combined population of some 502 million and a combined GDP of $15.8 Trillion. Can you name me one single existing government department that could manage and run a health care system for the entire EU?

Comparing the French socialized medical system to Obamacare makes about as much sense as comparing the French military to the US military.

I normally wouldn't quote Donald Trump, but this one is pretty good:

'Let me get this straight ... We’re going to be “gifted” with a health care plan we are forced to purchase and fined if we don’t. Which purportedly covers at least ten million more people, without adding a single new doctor, but provides for 16,000 new IRS agents, written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn’t understand it, passed by a Congress that didn’t read it, but exempted themselves from it, and signed by a Dumbo president who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes, for which we’ll be taxed for four years before any benefits take effect, by a government which has already bankrupted Social Security and Medicare, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke!

What the Hell could possibly go wrong?'

http://www.examiner.com/article/donald-trump-defines-obamacare

We are talking here about a US population of 313 Billion against 65 billion and a US GDP of $15.1 Trillion against a French GDP of $2.2 Trillion.

Did you use B's where you should have had a M's ?

Healthcare in France seems to be fairly successful as I pointed out in my post. If you read the Wiki article you'll see that it's a mixture of private enterprise and government intervention.

You are comparing apples and oranges.

France has a population of some 65 million people, which is slightly more than Texas and California combined.

France has a GDP of $2.2 Trillion, which is nearly $1 Trillion LESS than Texas and California.

We are talking here about a US population of 313 Billion against 65 billion and a US GDP of $15.1 Trillion against a French GDP of $2.2 Trillion.

The European Union has a combined population of some 502 million and a combined GDP of $15.8 Trillion. Can you name me one single existing government department that could manage and run a health care system for the entire EU?

Comparing the French socialized medical system to Obamacare makes about as much sense as comparing the French military to the US military.

I am currently in Tallinn, Estonia, population just under 400,000. The public transportation system works as well as any in the world if not better. Later this year they are supposed to offer FREE public transportation for all residents to be supported by parking fees. Maybe the people who run it can go to London, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo or New York and show them how they can do that with their own systems?

We are talking here about a US population of 313 Billion against 65 billion and a US GDP of $15.1 Trillion against a French GDP of $2.2 Trillion.

Did you use B's where you should have had a M's ?

I didn't provide a link so you just have to take my word for it.

Yeah...B's or M's. Who is counting among friends.

I normally wouldn't quote Donald Trump, but this one is pretty good:

'Let me get this straight ... We’re going to be “gifted” with a health care plan we are forced to purchase and fined if we don’t. Which purportedly covers at least ten million more people, without adding a single new doctor, but provides for 16,000 new IRS agents, written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn’t understand it, passed by a Congress that didn’t read it, but exempted themselves from it, and signed by a Dumbo president who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes, for which we’ll be taxed for four years before any benefits take effect, by a government which has already bankrupted Social Security and Medicare, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke!

What the Hell could possibly go wrong?'

http://www.examiner....fines-obamacare

The Donald clearly has added a speechwriter/jokewriter to his payroll, and that's good. Prior to this he couldn't make a statement that long without using the words "me" and "I" several times.

I normally wouldn't quote Donald Trump, but this one is pretty good:

'Let me get this straight ... We’re going to be “gifted” with a health care plan we are forced to purchase and fined if we don’t. Which purportedly covers at least ten million more people, without adding a single new doctor, but provides for 16,000 new IRS agents, written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn’t understand it, passed by a Congress that didn’t read it, but exempted themselves from it, and signed by a Dumbo president who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes, for which we’ll be taxed for four years before any benefits take effect, by a government which has already bankrupted Social Security and Medicare, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke!

What the Hell could possibly go wrong?'

http://www.examiner....fines-obamacare

The Donald clearly has added a speechwriter/jokewriter to his payroll, and that's good. Prior to this he couldn't make a statement that long without using the words "me" and "I" several times.

He probably didn't use "me" or "I' because Obamacare won't apply to "him".

I normally wouldn't quote Donald Trump, but this one is pretty good:

'Let me get this straight ... We’re going to be “gifted” with a health care plan we are forced to purchase and fined if we don’t. Which purportedly covers at least ten million more people, without adding a single new doctor, but provides for 16,000 new IRS agents, written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn’t understand it, passed by a Congress that didn’t read it, but exempted themselves from it, and signed by a Dumbo president who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes, for which we’ll be taxed for four years before any benefits take effect, by a government which has already bankrupted Social Security and Medicare, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke!

What the Hell could possibly go wrong?'

http://www.examiner....fines-obamacare

The Donald clearly has added a speechwriter/jokewriter to his payroll, and that's good. Prior to this he couldn't make a statement that long without using the words "me" and "I" several times.

He probably didn't use "me" or "I' because Obamacare won't apply to "him".

Obamacare applies to all Americans. It is the law.

I normally wouldn't quote Donald Trump, but this one is pretty good:

'Let me get this straight ... We’re going to be “gifted” with a health care plan we are forced to purchase and fined if we don’t. Which purportedly covers at least ten million more people, without adding a single new doctor, but provides for 16,000 new IRS agents, written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn’t understand it, passed by a Congress that didn’t read it, but exempted themselves from it, and signed by a Dumbo president who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes, for which we’ll be taxed for four years before any benefits take effect, by a government which has already bankrupted Social Security and Medicare, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke!

What the Hell could possibly go wrong?'

http://www.examiner....fines-obamacare

The Donald clearly has added a speechwriter/jokewriter to his payroll, and that's good. Prior to this he couldn't make a statement that long without using the words "me" and "I" several times.

He probably didn't use "me" or "I' because Obamacare won't apply to "him".

Obamacare applies to all Americans. It is the law.

How will Obamacare change Trump's personal situation?

Very remote when you include the very entities you need to shed your nation of as part of the process. Giving them a "seat at the table". All because they're big financial supporters. Show them the door.

I get your point of view but I don't get how you can't say how nearly impossible it would have been to pass single payer and cut off big insurance, big pharma, and big hospital. These are beasts. I do criticize Obama. He knew he couldn't get single payer to start, but he should have STARTED the negotiations there and not give that up from the start. If he had it seems to me the end result of the sausage would have probably been better than Obamacare.

This lib makes the same point as you and it rings just as hollow. And if he IS right, the America's fuc_ked already.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/opinion/sunday/how-liberals-win.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

How will Obamacare change Trump's personal situation?

That isn't the point. He's subject to the same laws as every other American. That's all.

Very remote when you include the very entities you need to shed your nation of as part of the process. Giving them a "seat at the table". All because they're big financial supporters. Show them the door.

I get your point of view but I don't get how you can't say how nearly impossible it would have been to pass single payer and cut off big insurance, big pharma, and big hospital. These are beasts. I do criticize Obama. He knew he couldn't get single payer to start, but he should have STARTED the negotiations there and not give that up from the start. If he had it seems to me the end result of the sausage would have probably been better than Obamacare.

This lib makes the same point as you and it rings just as hollow. And if he IS right, the America's fuc_ked already.

http://www.nytimes.c...gewanted=1&_r=1

Maybe so, but neither you nor any president can simply wish away political and economic realities.

Obamacare applies to all Americans. It is the law.

I am an American living in Thailand since 1981 and am aged in my mid 70s.

Will I have to buy medical insurance or pay the tax?

Can I get free medical care and prescription drugs at the village pharmacy/clinic? To whom do they send the bill?

Will one of the to-be-hired 16,000 IRS agents be personally assigned to me to insure I follow the law?

Will I have to feed my own personal IRS agent or will the US government pay him per-diem?

Can I get a girl IRS agent or must I settle on a boy?

Please explain the impact Obamacare will have on me.

So many questions...so few answers.

Chuck, you are exempt from the ACA "tax/penalty" if you don't have USA insurance as you are both a bona fide expat AND past medicare age. There are no benefits for you. If you move back to the US, you would go on Medicare. ACA has some impact on Medicare. Not much impact to you but you are under the same laws as any American your age.

How will Obamacare change Trump's personal situation?

That isn't the point. He's subject to the same laws as every other American. That's all.

With you it is always "not the point" or "off-topic!" when it shows that you are wrong.

Chuck, you are exempt from the ACA "tax/penalty" if you don't have USA insurance as you are both a bona fide expat AND past medicare age. There are no benefits for you.

I didn't think he was asking about "benefits". I'm sure that's how the gov't thinks of tax penalties though.

How will Obamacare change Trump's personal situation?

That isn't the point. He's subject to the same laws as every other American. That's all.

With you it is always "not the point" or "off-topic!" when it shows that you are wrong.

Bull. All Americans are subject to the SAME laws. The impact on individuals of course varies greatly depending on their specific situation. All Americans would be wise to figure out what their situation is in regard to Obamacare by 2014. For you, it's more about a personal attack against me, rather than the actual FACTS.

One liberal's point of view...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ruth-marcus-john-robertss-vote-keeps-the-supreme-court-on-its-axis/2012/06/28/gJQAetox9V_story.html

I like the result in the health-care case, if not all of the reasoning. But I hope to be saying something more intellectually honest here than that the chief justice ruled in a way I agree with, so now I’ve decided he’s a good guy after all.

...

...President Obama’s signature domestic achievement was saved by none other than the chief justice whose confirmation he opposed. Then-Sen. Obama said he worried about how Roberts would vote in the sliver of “truly difficult” cases that “can only be determined on the basis of one’s deepest values, one’s core concerns, one’s broader perspectives on how the world works, and the depth and breadth of one’s empathy.”

Roberts’s alliance with liberals in the health-care ruling, I suspect, illuminated something of his “deepest values” and “core concerns.” Too bad protocol would prevent the president from picking up the phone to say “thanks.” Maybe even “I was wrong.”

Yeah but don't forget that Roberts ruled to reign in application of the commerce clause, which is a very conservative position and is probably going to have major implications as precedent in future court cases.

That isn't the point. He's subject to the same laws as every other American. That's all.

With you it is always "not the point" or "off-topic!" when it shows that you are wrong.

Bull. All Americans are subject to the SAME laws. The impact on individuals of course varies greatly depending on their specific situation. All Americans would be wise to figure out what their situation is in regard to Obamacare by 2014. For you, it's more about a personal attack against me, rather than the actual FACTS.

You always take facts contrary to what you claim to believe as an attack. That's falls on you, not me or anyone else.

If you believe " All Americans are subject to the SAME laws" then how can you be a liberal? Liberals believe the playing field is uneven, with rich (& white) people getting around laws that are used to imprison poor people.

You're talking about different things. You're talking about fair or unfair application of the same laws we are all subject to. You might be a master of spin and verbal trickery, but there is no contradiction to say we are all subject to the same laws but that the application isn't always fairly enforced.

You're talking about different things. You're talking about fair or unfair application of the same laws we are all subject to. You might be a master of spin and verbal trickery, but there is no contradiction to say we are all subject to the same laws but that the application isn't always fairly enforced.

Oh, OK. SO we can tell the poor people getting thrown in prison for drug possession not to feel bad because rich kids get off with a slap on the wrist. Or tell small time embezzlers to not feel bad because the president of their bank not only stayed out of jail but still received his $25 million bonus. Or those whiny little Mexicans in the Southwest USA not to worry about being profiled because Homeland Security and the Border Police are stopping white people with funny accents on the streets of NYC asking for their papers too.

Never said that.

Now that the supreme court has ducked the law and constitution in deference to the POTUS here is a nice summary of what it all means. Enjoy.

http://www.sultanknish.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-nature-of-disease.html

The monster known as Obamacare is rearing its very ugly head after the tax decision.

1. There have already been 13,000 pages of regulations written for the administration of the law.

2. In line with federal government policy, there are plans to hire one IRS agent for each page of regulations. Actually the plan is to hire 16,500 IRS agents. Perhaps they are anticipating more regulations?

3. Today we find out that 83% of doctors have considered retirement when Obamacare takes over. http://dailycaller.c...over-obamacare/

This is getting better with each passing day!

Right wing heartless, shameless, obstructionist republicans to USA uninsured: DROP DEAD!

Exactly right. They're going to lose on this. People LOVE parts of the bill and do not want to the bill trashed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/gop-to-the-uninsured-drop-dead/2012/07/10/gJQA4xZfbW_story.html

Fifty million uninsured Americans would be the immediate casualties of the GOP’s “let them eat the emergency room” mentality. But all of us would be at risk. In America — alone among wealthy nations — everyone is a pink slip or job change or new illness away from finding they have lost coverage or are uninsurable.

This is the shameful reality behind the GOP’s rhetoric on health care. Republicans don’t want to spend a penny to insure the uninsured.

The American people had this unpopular bill shoved down their throats by using bribes and trickery. Repeal it, repeal Obama and come up with something that would actually work.

Right wing heartless, shameless, obstructionist republicans to USA uninsured: DROP DEAD!

Exactly right. They're going to lose on this. People LOVE parts of the bill and do not want to the bill trashed.

http://www.washingto...ZfbW_story.html

Fifty million uninsured Americans would be the immediate casualties of the GOP’s “let them eat the emergency room” mentality. But all of us would be at risk. In America — alone among wealthy nations — everyone is a pink slip or job change or new illness away from finding they have lost coverage or are uninsurable.

This is the shameful reality behind the GOP’s rhetoric on health care. Republicans don’t want to spend a penny to insure the uninsured.

Let me get this right. If only 20% of the voters consider themselves Republicans and some 40% (including the Republicans) consider themselves as Conservatives, where is the remaining 12% coming from?

_______________________________________________________

Poll: 52 Percent Favor Repealing Obamacare

8:43 AM, JUL 2, 2012 • BY DANIEL HALPER

The latest Rasmussen poll find that 52 percent of likely voters favor repealing President Obama's signature legislation, Obamacare. Rasmussen writes:

The U.S. Supreme Court declared that President Obama’s health care law is constitutional, but they were unable to make it popular.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters favor repeal of the health care law, while 39% are opposed. That’s little changed from aweek ago. Indeed, support for repeal has barely budged since the law was passed.

http://www.weeklysta...are_648038.html

They might want it repealed but they mostly want the goodies that are in the bill! The republicans have no plan to do that. Watch the debates. Obama is going to own Romney on this issue. I can't wait.

Let me get this right. If only 20% of the voters consider themselves Republicans and some 40% (including the Republicans) consider themselves as Conservatives, where is the remaining 12% coming from?

Well, if we were talking about Democrats and you asked where the additional 12% came from the answer would be obvious - they are counting pets and dead people.