Good thing America is such a fair and prosperous place!

[superl99]

Those bloody Europeans, with their 'socialism' and high taxes. It's just terrible how successful rich people have to pay more taxes than struggling poor folk. And don't get me started on all that 'accessible health care for all' nonsense! Why should rich, healthy people be responsible for the health of the masses who can't afford the exorbitant costs of a private health care system designed to make a profit rather than provide actual health care? That's not what Jesus would want, I can tell you that! I mean, you would never see a story like this in Europe- no siree bob, this is a good old traditional American story! So all you liberal elitists, with your fancy book-learnin' and marrying outside your family can just take your 'safety nets' and 'social support services' and stick them up Lenin's arse. But don't you dare take my guns with you!

Comments

[stockinged-one.livejournal.com]

As awful as that story is that you linked to, and as much as I believe in universal health care and a social safety net, I wonder how old Bruce is and what has he been doing with his money from his other consulting jobs? Because, you see, the other problem with many Americans (and Canadians and other people with a credit card) is they spend beyond their means and then are all shocked when something bad happens and they can't afford to save themselves.

Some debt is unavoidable, but so many people seem to have a sense of entitlement which is unbelievable.

[countessmorgana.livejournal.com]

I have actually been terrified by some of the things some of my American kids have posted (not quite OBAMA = OSAMA). I can't believe how...STUPID some people are.

And repeat, "I am Brasilian" until you stop getting angry :P

[countessmorgana.livejournal.com]

Still, as some of my friends/aquaintances believe, free/affordable healthcare for all does not = communism.

Sigh.

[pikku-gen.livejournal.com]

I wondered the same thing when I read the story. He did say it took some months to live off his savings and end up on the street, but anyway.

[superl99.livejournal.com]

Oh, he probably has lived beyond his means at some point. But that is so easy to do in the US even living basically. Even if you have health care, you still pay a lot of money for even routine treatment, home and car insurance is higher than almost anywhere else because of the litigation culture, he lived in a high rent area, but probably couldn't afford to move, there aren't really social housing benefits in the same way as over here. He did state that he had savings, but if once he lost his job he had to pay for his own health insurance, that alone could cost several hundred dollars a month, in addition to car payments and insurance (no car often = no job), so even good savings would get used up quickly. Of course, that's if he could get health insurance- since he has a pre-existing condition of high blood pressure, it's likely he wouldn't be able to, or if he did that wouldn't be covered. If he has a retirement account like a 401(k), chances are he would pay massive tax penalties for cashing it in early which don't even make it worthwhile to do so. He has to pay tax on his unemployment benefits for fuck's sake!