Comments by "Bob Bart" (@bobbart4198) on "Sanders & Socialism: Debate Between Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman & Socialist Economist Richard Wolff" video.

@lmy2366 You said " you can't claim Scandinavia as being socialist " - but I DIDN'T make that claim. I just stated that they had Socialized Medicine - meaning that the government provided it to the people - regardless of the initial source of the financing. The " Socialist " label is place on this kind of government coverage by the Profit-motivated groups and politicians - not me.
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@hatetaxes1 True ! - But if they make Minimum Wage, without Benefits, they aren't taken very far out of poverty, are they ?
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I think Krugman is right, - Why muddy the waters when the majority of Voters just don't want to think that Hard ? ... Labels can be used to help OR to Hurt, so why tie yourself to a loaded expression and damage your actual cause, instead of making your message clear to all ?
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Canada - not the very best example of Government Health Care - but STILL better than the US Version -NEVER used the word " Socialism " so boldly as Sanders OR Wolff, nor did the Scandinavian Countries - the REAL leaders in Socialized Medicine - and because of that, their systems survive and thrive. I think the most basic rule of debate and discourse is NOT to give an opponent an obvious opening. Americans are TERRIFIED of Communism AND they do not make a distinction between Social-anything and their inborn fear of "Commies"
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@lmy2366 ... Oh yes, it's MUCH better when someone making a Profit has the Monopoly, isn't it ? - You are missing the point: Longer waiting times are inevitable when a Service is trying to cover EVERYBODY - as opposed to just the people with money. This is a result of Funding input and NOT the concept or practice of universal coverage.
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That's not even Close to a viable comparison; Social Media is free online, and it is completely extraneous - in short, it might be fun, but it's NOT essential. So far as how Facebook has a Monopoly - it doesn't, unless you intend to completely disregard all those other useless platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat etc. Healthcare matters to everyone - not just the wealthy - clearly, you are an America - and a Conservative. I am neither, so we will not come to any sort of common ground here ...
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@lmy2366 My reasoning is basic enough; your primary complaint was Waiting Time, and it has been MY experience that waiting time is directly related to one's medical problem. I have been hospitalized TWICE for Mini-Strokes, and MY waiting time was NONE. I was seen too immediately, and my care was First-Rate ! - So far as your idea that Oil Companies can be compared to a Social Media company, that is ridiculous, as Oil Companies receive Tax Breaks and Government Subsidies, as well as land grants for exploration. Also advertising expenses are a part of the cost of doing business, and the aforementioned Tax-Breaks and Subsidies go toward that cost. You may or may not be a conservative, but you seem to miss the obvious - most countries already have the mix you are taking about, and what the Public System fails to cover, Private (Employer-Paid) Insurance picks up. The problem is that MANY people don't have Employer-Paid Coverage, and (Like the US system) they have to pay upfront; that frequently leads to very substantial debt. Public Healthcare is an important " Subsidy " for a nation's HUMAN SECTOR, and it is NOT an attempt to impose " Control " over anything.
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@lmy2366 Point One: Wait time, as I've already said, is dependent upon one's medical issue (I've given an example of my own experience.) Point Two: NOBODY got subsidies in the Nineteenth Century, and I am talking about OUR world, not the world of the Rockefellers, the Astors or any other 19th Century example you care to bring up, and the rest of THAT point is pretty standard business dreck. Point Three: Google - and their fellows in the Biz make ALL of their money from Advertising, and I think you know that. Point Four: "Quality" of care - I've already dealt with that in Point One. And yes, " We People " KNOW that the cost of Public Healthcare comes out of Taxes - and the vast majority of us agree that it is worth it; Americans are so averse to Taxation, that you forget that many - if not most - truly wealthy Citizens don't actually pay their fair share. And Socialized Medicine does NOT make " Society poorer on the Whole " and if it does, please give examples as to how. Also, the Production of Oil seems to be doing just Dandy with the current kick-backs- judging by the recently posted profits. - Anything else ?
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@lmy2366 You MUST be a Woman. Much like my own dear wife, you will not give up a point even when that point has been answered, and therefore - since this could go on forever without resolve, I quit without conceding. You must have more time to waste online than I do ... Ciao, Baby !
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