Opinion of the Issue, part 17

[Fmr. Emperor PiT]

1	Women in the Military	83.3; 5.6; 11.1; 0.0; 0.0
9	Legalize Prostitution	73.1; 11.5; 0.0; 3.8; 11.5
6	Allow Gay Marriage	75.9; 6.9; 0.0; 0.0; 17.2
4	Free Trade Expansion	41.7; 25.0; 2.8; 11.1; 19.4
10	Legalize Selling Human Body Parts	44.0; 16.0; 0.0; 8.0; 32.0
5	Legalize Hard Drugs	31.3; 28.1; 6.3; 9.4; 25.0
15	Campaign Finance Reform	40.6; 15.6; 3.1; 6.3; 34.4
16	Funding of Religious Charities	19.4; 35.5; 3.2; 16.1; 25.8
8	Punish Illegal Immigrants	26.9; 11.5; 0.0; 7.7; 53.8
14	Privatize Social Security	31.3; 3.1; 9.4; 12.5; 43.8
13	Reduce Federal-Owned Lands	24.0; 8.0; 24.0; 12.0; 32.0
12	Stricter Gun Control	22.6; 3.2; 9.7; 16.1; 48.4
7	Eliminate the Income Tax	16.1; 9.7; 0.0; 6.5; 67.7
11	Restrict Abortion	22.9; 0.0; 5.7; 20.0; 51.4
3	Return to the Gold Standard	9.1; 4.5; 4.5; 9.1; 72.7
2	Support the Patriot Act	4.0; 4.0; 4.0; 12.0; 76.0

     Well that was the first time that a lean option got the most votes.

[Mint]

Yes, although we should allow for people to purchase private healthcare too. Having at least a voluntary UHC Registry would reduce bankruptcy, help small business, lower premiums (through increased coverage), etc. There is a reason that countries like the Netherlands, France, etc. are ranked better overall in this area even if specialized care is better here. We could certainly implement some free market reforms to reduce costs though, like allowing for importation of drugs or buying health care insurance across state lines.

[Fmr. Emperor PiT]

     Lean yes. The current system does not work, though it might be preferable to simply impose certain regulations. After all, the loss of a sector of the economy to governmental hegemony is not desirable.

[President Marokai]

Absolutely.

[I left.]

Yes, although we should allow for people to purchase private healthcare too. Having at least a voluntary UHC Registry would reduce bankruptcy, help small business, lower premiums (through increased coverage), etc. There is a reason that countries like the Netherlands, France, etc. are ranked better overall in this area even if specialized care is better here. We could certainly implement some free market reforms to reduce costs though, like allowing for importation of drugs or buying health care insurance across state lines.

this ^

[dead0man]

Lean no.  Why not just give tax credits for medical procedures and insurance?  It seems to be inevitable though.  I just hope it doesn't retard future medical advances in the sake of giving everybody the same level of care in the mean time (even if it never will give everybody the same level of care).

[dialectical fetishist]

Certainly. Britain already has it.

[Daniel Adams]

Absolutely not.

[I left.]

Absolutely not.

Good point. Could you clarify further?

Is it just a matter of principle here...that you like paying too much for healthcare and that you just don't think the government should be involved (regardless of actual arguments in favor)?

Or do you think sick people are at fault themselves if they aren't able to pay their medical bills?

I really do wonder what makes somebody say "absolutely not" to something like healthcare.

[Senator Ben]

Yes, although we should allow for people to purchase private healthcare too. Having at least a voluntary UHC Registry would reduce bankruptcy, help small business, lower premiums (through increased coverage), etc. There is a reason that countries like the Netherlands, France, etc. are ranked better overall in this area even if specialized care is better here. We could certainly implement some free market reforms to reduce costs though, like allowing for importation of drugs or buying health care insurance across state lines.

this ^

Agreed.

[President Marokai]

My problem with allowing people to purchase health insurance from across state lines is that, from what I understand, they would be able to skirt state regulations.

Imagine if California had strict health insurance regulation, preventing you from discriminating based on pre-existing conditions, regulations on how much they could charge you, etc etc. But Utah had none of this. Would all the health insurance companies bolt California and head to Utah, where they would have free reign to do whatever they liked? It makes all regulation completely pointless if people can avoid them entirely.

[All life is a blur of Republicans and meat.]

Yes, although people should be able to opt-out of it if for some reason they don't want to be covered.

[SPC]

Absolutely not.

[Lief]

Duh. The free market has proven a failure with regards to healthcare.

[RosettaStoned]

Duh. The free market has proven a failure with regards to healthcare.

[dead0man]

Except there is no "free market" in regards to healthcare.  Unless you redefine what "free market" means.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

HECK NO!

[CARLHAYDEN]

     Lean yes. The current system does not work, though it might be preferable to simply impose certain regulations. After all, the loss of a sector of the economy to governmental hegemony is not desirable.

Ah, PiT, suggest you reread both the "call of the question," and your response.

Or are you turning in to a actual socialist/theoretical libertarian like Lunar?

[Sibboleth]

Well considering that I wouldn't even be alive without a state-run healthcare system (and I can say that with a degree of certainty, btw) I wonder how I voted in this poll...

[Matt Damon™]

Well considering that I wouldn't even be alive without a state-run healthcare system (and I can say that with a degree of certainty, btw) I wonder how I voted in this poll...

Obviously no since you believe in citizens needing to stand on their own two feet.

[Ghyl Tarvoke]

Well considering that I wouldn't even be alive without a state-run healthcare system (and I can say that with a degree of certainty, btw) I wonder how I voted in this poll...

Al, why do you hate individual freedom so much?

We need liberty, man, so we can go out and buy cars and guns, and really expensive cars and mansions... and guns, lots of guns, yeah, guns, did I mention, guns?

[Nym90]

Absolutely.

Even if you don't care about the moral argument for it, there's the simple fact that it would save businesses millions of dollars in health care costs. That alone would help the economy quite a bit, as would of course minor benefits such as people being healthier and not dying and such.

[Fmr. Emperor PiT]

     Lean yes. The current system does not work, though it might be preferable to simply impose certain regulations. After all, the loss of a sector of the economy to governmental hegemony is not desirable.

Ah, PiT, suggest you reread both the "call of the question," and your response.

Or are you turning in to a actual socialist/theoretical libertarian like Lunar?

     I forgot what the question that I posited actually was. Reviewing the question, my answer would have to be neutral to lean no.

[Verily]

Yes, although we should allow for people to purchase private healthcare too. Having at least a voluntary UHC Registry would reduce bankruptcy, help small business, lower premiums (through increased coverage), etc. There is a reason that countries like the Netherlands, France, etc. are ranked better overall in this area even if specialized care is better here. We could certainly implement some free market reforms to reduce costs though, like allowing for importation of drugs or buying health care insurance across state lines.

this ^

Also agreed (although why health insurance would be restricted/governed by state is beyond me).

[President Marokai]

My problem with allowing people to purchase health insurance from across state lines is that, from what I understand, they would be able to skirt state regulations.

Imagine if California had strict health insurance regulation, preventing you from discriminating based on pre-existing conditions, regulations on how much they could charge you, etc etc. But Utah had none of this. Would all the health insurance companies bolt California and head to Utah, where they would have free reign to do whatever they liked? It makes all regulation completely pointless if people can avoid them entirely.