Posted on 08/21/2004 4:25:45 PM PDT by naturalman1975
HE'S a genius, Mark Latham -- even when he's in agony, he's thinking politics.
But is it healthy policy?
Crippled on Monday with pancreatitis, the Opposition Leader was rushed to Sydney's St Vincent's, where he was offered a private room.
Latham sure could afford it. Not only does he earn good money these days, but he has private health insurance.
But he refused the offer because, Labor figures told journalists, he wanted to be treated as "any other Australian". Which in this case apparently meant having to wait in emergency for four hours.
But "any other Australian" with private insurance would have chosen the private room. Latham was not acting as "any other Australian" would.
What his people really meant was that Latham chose the ward that people without his insurance would have had.
But if those people were like Latham -- well off -- they would be bludging on taxpayers by taking up a free public bed they could well afford to pay for. And as the time Latham spent waiting in emergency suggests, he was probably taking that bed from someone else in the queue.
Latham's choice shows the deadening "egalitarianism" of the Left. Crowding the rich into public hospitals, rather than encouraging more to pay for private ones, doesn't do the poor any favours. Just ask the bloke on the trolley behind Latham's.
Really appreciate these Australian articles.
As an aside, is it true that in Australia, if you don't vote, you're fined? If so, how much is the fine? And, if true, approximately how many Australians still don't vote? How do they collect the money? Send a bill? Take it out of one's welfare amount?--that's a joke, sort of.
And they're reporting here in Sydney that the primary cause of his malady is alchohol abuse. Hmmmm.
Yes, it's true - voting is compulsory... well, actually, what is compulsory is attending a polling place and having your name ticked off - the secret ballot means they can't actually make sure anyone votes.
The fine is currently $50 Australian, I think - in US dollars, that's around $35.
Basically, they send a bill. If you don't pay it, it's handled like other fines. If you don't pay, it goes up in increments, until eventually you are summonsed to court. They can gaol a person for non-payment, or seize assets, but that's very rare on these fines.
About 98% of people vote.
About 98% of people vote.
Another two percent and Australia will be tied with Cuba, with 100% of the people voting.
; - )
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