Why has there been such antagonism to the idea of Universal Healthcare here?

[opebo]

The essence of privillege is inequality - one's enjoyment is directly the result of another's suffering.  Those privileged with health care see their advantage being diluted by the provision of care to their inferiors.

[opebo]

"Healthcare" involves the production of medicines and instruments and the delivery of medical services.  These goods and services should be traded through voluntary transactions.  A free market in medical care provides the most justice and efficiency.

Lots of dead poors, though, it cannot be denied.

[opebo]

Stop calling people 'poors.'

We are not in a class civil war.

Yes we are.

[opebo]

This is great: you are rejecting thoughtful analysis and demonizing those who disagree with you because of shallow sentimentality.  Fortunately, you have a lot of company.

How is it 'shallow sentimentality'?  It is life and death - the poors being killed by the rich.  Its not sentimental, it is visceral survival that militates for health care.

[opebo]

I agree with Torie on this issue completely - his solution is the only one that would actually work...

What's the Torie solution?  Do you have a link to were he posted it?

[opebo]

I think there is a lack of national solidarity/identity in the US, a byproduct of our cultural diversity and history of racial/ethnic tension.  The result is antipathy toward national programs that provide for those 'other' people.

Race card? Really?

Racism is obviously a large factor here, particularly as it contributes to the overall hatred/angst culture which dominates the american polity and reduces support for sensible programs.

[opebo]

...This is just basic micro-economics. It is just amazing to me that there has not been more chatter about this fix.

I mean, I am clearly not a genius. Why can't others see what I so clearly see?

People without health care don't care about innovation, Torie, simply because they don't have access even to what exists today, much less the hypothetical profit-driven innovation.  Only rich people care about this pet peeve of yours.

That said, innovation mostly comes from government spending anyway, we just need to end the parasitic 'privatization' of the benefits.