Another Horror Story about Government-Run Healthcare that Can’t Possibly Be True

Paul Krugman has told us that awful stories about government-run healthcare in Britain “are false.”

I guess this means that the media must be dominated by conservative liars, since we keep getting reports about substandard care and needless deaths (see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here).

And the Boston Globe and Associated Press must be part of this vast right-wing conspiracy, because the Globe just ran an AP report exposing more problems in England. Here is an excerpt.

When David Evans needed a hernia operation, the 69-year-old farmer became so alarmed by the long wait that he used an ultrasound machine for pregnant sheep on himself, to make sure he wasn’t getting worse. It was only after repeated calls from himself, his doctor and his local member of parliament that the hospital performed the surgery, nearly a year after it was first requested. Under government guidelines, he should have started getting treatment within 18 weeks. “I was in quite a lot of pain,’’ Evans said of his ordeal in Cornwall, southwest England. “It really restricted what I could do around the farm since I couldn’t lift anything heavy.’’ Across Britain, an increasing number of patients like Evans are facing more pain and longer waits.

The deep flaws in the British system, by the way, do not imply that the American system is ideal. As I’ve explained, the U.S. system also is heavily dominated by government, causing a massive third-party payer problem.

(h/t: Reason)

Government Insiders Rip Off Taxpayers…Again

I’ve written many times about politicians and bureaucrats screwing taxpayers with lavish compensation packages, but this story from Philadelphia is jaw dropping.

Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco is retiring Friday, but only so she can collect a $478,057 pension check and return to work Monday, when she will be sworn in for her seventh term. Tasco was one of six Council members to enroll in the city’s controversial Deferred Retirement Option Plan, better known as DROP. She did not immediately return a request for comment. …When DROP was introduced during the Rendell administration, it was thought that it would cost little or nothing. But a study by the administration of Mayor Nutter said DROP had cost the city $258 million over 10 years.

Remember stories like this every time ones of these reprehensible politicians claim that spending has been cut to the bone and taxes have to be raised.

Dan Mitchell

Nordstrom is class as far as I have ever experienced (2 different stores regularly). They look out for you, help you, are very nice, and don’t get in your way at the same time. They also refund/exchange, no questions asked. Service as nothing I’ve ever experienced. Meanwhile, the suspicious policies and the grumps and mugwumps at cheap (”big box”) places - well, you get what you pay for.

>>I only go there a few time a year, they lighten up once you open your wallet and carry around a few bags.<<

Yeah, you sure do have to prove that you are a paying customer there. Walk in wearing jeans with your babies in a stroller and they will RUN to get away.

I don’t shop where I have to pull out my charge cards to be treated nicely.

>>Meanwhile, the suspicious policies and the grumps and mugwumps at cheap (”big box”) places - well, you get what you pay for.<<

Yeah and that’s why I shop at Walmart. People are friendly and happy. Returns are easy and value is high. My kids outgrow their clothes in a year, why do I want to pay huge money for them?

Nordstroms and their “better than thou”, overpriced, medium quality products, you can keep.

I don’t see it that way at all. Wal-Mart as well as others are generally rude, ignorant and careless, signs of our society in general today and their lackadaisical attitude. They hassle you for not having a reciept (try that there), and you have to go to a counter rather than just anywhere. I go there naturally just to go in and get general merchandise - sometimes even for cheap, when I know there’s not likely to be a problem. The nicest person is the greeter, and randomly the cashiers (like any other place).

Nordstrom is high quality and that includes their service. And I don’t need to dress up (like my sister) to get good service; just walk in a department. They give us the shirt off their backs, and it’s not because we/they are “snobs”. Maybe you have trouble in MI but I don’t near home.

You can also compare the average McDonald’s and Chick-Fil-A. CFA is not a “snob” place by any means, but they are vastly superior in service and smiles (never mind the food) to any other fast-food place.

BTW, I agree about children’s just in principle. I do buy a couple things at high-end places but mostly I go to Wal-Mart (prefer Target, their toddler/baby area is so much better) for children’s clothes and SHOES. I guess the Babies-R-Us place is reasonable, too, but sometimes the cheapest is at WM/Target.

A friend of mine is a Canadian immigrant. A few years ago, her mother, a Canadian citizen, was diagnosed with colon cancer. Due to her age (late 70’s), she was given painkillers rather than surgery and radiation/chemo. Needless to say, the sweet woman is no longer with us. Man that “free” healthcare is great!

"Just another crooked Black Politician ripping off her “people.” But she has to get in line behind the Black superintendent of public schools in Pittsburgh who just took nearly a million dollar “buyout” of her contract to get rid of her, and then had the temerity to file for unemployment benefits! "

I'm sorry to say that this "public servant" is also in Philadelphia, rather than Pittsburgh. (Arlene Ackerman)

Another example for me is Saks 5th Ave. My mother loved that place (maybe it was better in the old days). I appreciate it too, but the few times (admittedly, not a good sample) I’ve been to both NY and Baltimore stores, incidences of condescension occurred.

While I haven’t been to Saks nearly as much as Nordstrom (not much opportunity), and I don’t totally despise it, Saks showed more “snobby” behavior than I’ve ever experienced (0) at Nordstrom. (And you can bet when we vaca’d in NYC I’m dressed well and done up.)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.