Guess What Greece Has To Jettison?

Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - Printable Version

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Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - ClassicalLib17 - 05-19-2010

This is priceless.
Guess What Greece Has To Jettison?

Posted 05/13/2010 06:54 PM ET

Policy Failure: Greece was told that if it wanted a bailout, it needed to consider privatizing its government health care system. So tell us again why the U.S. is following Europe's welfare state model.

The requirement, part of a deal arranged by the IMF, the European Union and the European Central bank, is a tacit admission that national health care programs are unsustainable. Along with transportation and energy, the bailout group, according to the New York Times, wants the Greek government to remove "the state from the marketplace in crucial sectors."

This is not some cranky or politically motivated demand. It is a condition based on the ugly reality of government medicine. The Times reports that economists â not right-wingers opposed to health care who want to blow up Times Square â say liberalizing "the health care industry would help bring down prices in these areas, which are among the highest in Europe."

Of course most of the media have been largely silent about the health care privatization measure for Greece, as it conflicts with their universal, single-payer health care narrative.

The public health system in the Hellenic Republic is operated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, where centralized decisions and rules are made.

It provides free or low-cost treatment through what is essentially a single-payer system established in 1983 when the Socialist Party was in power. Family members and retirees are also covered. Like the systems in Britain and Canada, it has agonizingly long waiting lists.

It should be no surprise that in Greece, health care spending as a percentage of the economy is relatively steep. According to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development data, it's higher than that in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan. Despite all the spending, Greece could never cover 100% of its citizens, reaching only about 83% for primary care.

Today, the patient most in need of a room in the intensive-care ward is Greece itself â what with government debt nearing 120% of GDP and the deficit at 13% of GDP.

The mere possibility of government spending cuts sent striking workers and public employees into the streets. Groups upset with the budget cuts have protested, rioted, looted and killed.

On May 5, three died in a bank fire fueled by a Molotov cocktail during a riot against the austerity measures that have been intended to save the government from bankruptcy and, as well, secure aid from other nations.

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - Danno - 05-20-2010

ClassicalLib17 Wrote:This is priceless.
Guess What Greece Has To Jettison?

Posted 05/13/2010 06:54 PM ET

Policy Failure: Greece was told that if it wanted a bailout, it needed to consider privatizing its government health care system. So tell us again why the U.S. is following Europe's welfare state model.

The U.S. doesn't have privatized health care? I could have sworn we do.... hey wait a minute... is reporter of this story trying to lie to me?

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - ClassicalLib17 - 05-20-2010

Why do you misconstrue all that doesn't read the way you want it to? When I don't understand something, I seek answers from knowledgeable sources armed with the facts, whether I like them, or not. Why don't you consider opening your mind to conservative ideas, for a change? You would instantly realize how much easier it is to tell the truth than it is to obfuscate; that's only effective on the uninformed and naive. This is an enlightened forum, is it not?

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - Danno - 05-20-2010

ClassicalLib17 Wrote:Why do you misconstrue all that doesn't read the way you want it to? When I don't understand something, I seek answers from knowledgeable sources armed with the facts, whether I like them, or not. Why don't you consider opening your mind to conservative ideas, for a change? You would instantly realize how much easier it is to tell the truth than it is to obfuscate; that's only effective on the uninformed and naive. This is an enlightened forum, is it not?

Ok, but I'd like to hear your definition of the word truth in the context that you use it.

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - ClassicalLib17 - 05-20-2010

Come on Danno, All you have to do is grip reality, and the rest falls into place. You know, deep down, that our society is headed towards disaster; the answer lies in individual responsibility. Our founding fathers were not unwise.

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - gmg77 - 05-26-2010

Greece's problem isn't healthcare it was financial malfeasance exposed by America's 2008 great recession and its rippling effects on the world.

Either way they have an awesome anarchist dog :lol: ....

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.thisblogrules.com/2010/03/dog-that-hasnt-missed-a-single-riot-for-years.html/">http://www.thisblogrules.com/2010/03/do ... ears.html/</a>

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - Danno - 05-26-2010

gmg77 Wrote:Greece's problem isn't healthcare it was financial malfeasance exposed by America's 2008 great recession and its rippling effects on the world.

Either way they have an awesome anarchist dog :lol: ....

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.thisblogrules.com/2010/03/dog-that-hasnt-missed-a-single-riot-for-years.html/">http://www.thisblogrules.com/2010/03/do ... ears.html/</a>

I knew dogs could play poker and shoot pool, I know, I've seen pictures, but this dog is like the "Fritz the Cat" of the dog world... too cool.

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - ClassicalLib17 - 05-26-2010

Now we have two that misconstrue what they read. What will you people say when your beloved Europe becomes insolvent. Thank God there are still a majority of Americans that work and pay the bills, for they will be heard. Come on, November. [Image: icon_twisted.gif]

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - Blackdiamond - 05-26-2010

The only thing I can think of that will happen in November is SNOW :lol:

Re: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison? - Dennis_Ista - 05-27-2010

I can remember a few weeks ago on our newscast here many New Yorkers stating the following:

"We want euro's. Dollars are worthless. The money of the Euro is worth more, and if we can use it here, we did not need to exchange everytime we go out of the US"

Come to grip with it Classic, Europe has done far better then the US in many things.

Maybe we should return everything to what it was like in 1776?
Make you subjects again to the United Kingdom.
At least we will have New York back.

At least Classic, you will be back to the roots!!