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ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

Here again it is a matter of decision and consequence. In the US, especially at a young age, you can buy medical insurance. It is voluntary, as it should be. Choosing to only do so after you have a diagnosed medical problem is a bad decision. Not qualifying is the consequence of that decision. Dying is the ultimate consequential result, worthy of pity; similar to a person not wanting to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle who could have survived if he/she did. It is pitiful, but I respect and will defend his/her right to do so.

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beth just had surgery to remove degenerative broken bones in her foot. We had insurance, paid for it for 5 years without ever using it beyond the basic physical and check up. On the surface that was a bad cost/benefit decision. We could have spent the money upgrading the dungeon. However, the decision was mine to get it when we didn't need it. I'm happy to live in a place that allows me that decision and not under the influence of a dictatorial program where last weeks 'voluntary' corrective surgery would have been scheduled for sometime in the next 5 years.

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A decision, appreciating that many aren't capable and don't want that freedom of choice and would prefer a dictatorial obligation for mediocre service. My reference to mediocre is based upon the condition that if it were 'utopia' there would be no 'rich' persons optional coverage being sold.

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America subsidizes agriculture so it doesn't believe in real competition in that industry. 

See that, MC, we have found common ground. Eliminate ALL welfare, corporate, individual, and as I said in private correspondence earlier today, religious. (Eliminate the religion industry's tax exempt status.)

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Since most countries in the world have state education and many have highly successful state run education, perhaps the problem is not about whether education is state run or not but something else?

Yes - it should be very obvious if you live in Europe. The educational system lets those being educated fail. They have a standardized test to qualify to get into higher education. The consequence of not getting in result in an inordinate amount of suicides from those who fail to qualify for government run schools.