04 Aug 09
Originally posted by generalissimoYeah...it's easy for those of us in nations that came to power raping the environment to tell other nations to protect theirs.
I think it would be good if we invested more in research, and the exploration of the amazon and its plants, and who knows maybe we could find cures for many diseases.
however, we can't ignore the fact that some of it could be used for other industries such as mining and cattle ranching.
05 Aug 09
Originally posted by Merknone of them have responsible governments.
Brazil by a long shot in the short to medium term. 100 years or more. who knows? Mexico could get a responsible gvernment somewhere along the line.
Mexico's government seems ineffective when dealing with crime and drug trafficking.
and brazil's government turns a blind eye to corruption and and abuse of power.
06 Aug 09
Originally posted by generalissimoWhat do you mean that the government should force people not to use insurance company... it is not exploitation to use health insurance, it's a free choice... like employment. It cracks me up when anti-trade people in Mexico were criticizing NAFTA and blaming it for poverty in Mexico about a year after it was signed and before than and after that, but the studies on the effects of NAFTA are that it is largely positive. Some people objected because US companies were accused of exploiting the workers if they were allowed free trade and investment in Mexico. However, the people in Mexico have benefited by the choice to work in a lot of new companies in Mexico and still having the choices to work in local companies. Incomes and jobs are up in Mexico.
[b] Brazil seems to be following a slightly more socialist path (treating adults like children of the government). I am not a big fan of socialized medicine, many problems grow and grow.
what? do you think preventing people from being exploited by insurance companies (which is what happens in the US) is "treating them like children"?
well, ...[text shortened]... ll, I'd rather have a government that is more concerned about saving lives than saving money.[/b]
If you let people decide for themselves if they are being exploited or if they are making a deal, then they will do for themselves bettere than a government forcing them to have less choices out of the kindness of their hearts, protecting the citizens they say, but from what, from themselves?
I agree that healthcare systems, universal or not, are not perfect. I am hopeful that more governments will provide sustainable and limited safety nets, not overly expensive bureaucratic nightmares that people are forced into. Governments can claim they are giving out all their goodies for the sake of saving lives and feeding the hungry and creating jobs, but most of the time they are just trying to get elected by giving people goodies... or should I say doggie treats.
Do you agree with the saying: give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.
06 Aug 09
Originally posted by eljefejesusWhat do you mean that the government should force people not to use insurance company... it is not exploitation to use health insurance, it's a free choice... like employment.
What do you mean that the government should force people not to use insurance company... it is not exploitation to use health insurance, it's a free choice... like employment. It cracks me up when anti-trade people in Mexico were criticizing NAFTA and blaming it for poverty in Mexico about a year after it was signed and before than and after that, but t ...[text shortened]... give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.
Im not saying that. The government shouldn't force people to do anything, I was just saying that universal healthcare would be beneficial for those who can't afford to go private, or those whose problems are not covered.
I think that if people can afford to go private (and therefore have better treatment) they should do so.
I am hopeful that more governments will provide sustainable and limited safety nets, not overly expensive bureaucratic nightmares that people are forced into
so you're not really against it, you're just skeptic?
Governments can claim they are giving out all their goodies for the sake of saving lives and feeding the hungry and creating jobs, but most of the time they are just trying to get elected by giving people goodies... or should I say doggie treats.
that is true, however, I never said anything about feeding the hungry.
Do you agree with the saying: give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.
yes, absolutely.
Im not saying people should rely on the government for everything, I was just saying that the government should facilitate things for the poor and should invest in the future generations (with free education for example).
08 Aug 09
Originally posted by generalissimoI am against universal, socialized medicine because it harms the US economy in the long-run, which means it affects a LOT of things in people's lives, not just their money.
[b]What do you mean that the government should force people not to use insurance company... it is not exploitation to use health insurance, it's a free choice... like employment.
Im not saying that. The government shouldn't force people to do anything, I was just saying that universal healthcare would be beneficial for those who can't afford to ...[text shortened]... for the poor and should invest in the future generations (with free education for example).[/b]
Living in a country as rich as the US or Japan, for example, is a different experience in benefitis, services, job opportunity, etc versus living in a poor sub-saharan country, and there are many levels in between.
I think that socializing medical care is a drag on long-term lives of the people of a nation.
I am critical of government run services.
I say teach people how to make their money to pay for their own care, don't just give them free care.
The government maybe to subsidize minimal items like prevantative care and school vouchers. Not provide a whole industry for free. That would be the government either giving a man a fish or teaching them how to fish.
08 Aug 09
By the way, I found out, to my disapointment, that Mexico plans on socializing medical care.
Also, an interesting website on country development is oecd.org
they have some reform suggestions for Mexico and Brazil.
It's amazing how different and how similar the countries are in some ways. Both have so many strengths and still so long a way to go...