(photos taken by my dad and with my tripod
wearing a tan blazer from local flea market, my dad's 80's button down shirt, leggings from Target, heels from Payless, and my mom's Dior sunglasses and earrings, also from the 80's)
Currently, with President Obama passing the health care bill and all this talk about how America is becoming more socialist, I feel the need to express my political opinions.
I’m disillusioned by the greed and selfishness of capitalism in our government. However, I believe in personal freedom and having the freedom to pursue happiness in this life, freedoms that are available to us because of the government we have. But at the same time, the altruist in me sees the benefit of helping our fellow man, of more evenly distributing the wealth with people who are less fortunate.
Is universal health care really such a bad thing? Is providing insurance to people who need it but can’t afford it so wrong?
True, maybe in America’s current economic state, this bill may not be the best thing right now. But I support what the bill advocates.
Anyway, it’s not my intention to offend anybody. The freedom to safely state our opinions is what it’s all about, right?
I know I have a lot of international readers, and I would love to hear your opinions as well as from my fellow yanks. What is the health care like in your country? What are your thoughts on universal health care?
I’m no pundit or anything. I’m usually wary of when people my age discuss politics, knowing that usually what they say is tidbits of information heard at the dinner table from their parents.
Well, I guess the same goes for me; we’re all influenced by what our elders say.
However, I’ve tried to keep an open mind, listening to the opinions of both my peers and my teachers, and from the news, hearing both sides of the argument.
Well, I guess the same goes for me; we’re all influenced by what our elders say.
However, I’ve tried to keep an open mind, listening to the opinions of both my peers and my teachers, and from the news, hearing both sides of the argument.
I’m disillusioned by the greed and selfishness of capitalism in our government. However, I believe in personal freedom and having the freedom to pursue happiness in this life, freedoms that are available to us because of the government we have. But at the same time, the altruist in me sees the benefit of helping our fellow man, of more evenly distributing the wealth with people who are less fortunate.
Is universal health care really such a bad thing? Is providing insurance to people who need it but can’t afford it so wrong?
True, maybe in America’s current economic state, this bill may not be the best thing right now. But I support what the bill advocates.
Anyway, it’s not my intention to offend anybody. The freedom to safely state our opinions is what it’s all about, right?
I know I have a lot of international readers, and I would love to hear your opinions as well as from my fellow yanks. What is the health care like in your country? What are your thoughts on universal health care?
26 comments:
Over here in the UK we have the NHS and, from what I can see as an 18-year-old who isn't very knowledgeable about politics, it works pretty well. Although I consider myself to be more in support of capitalism than socialism, when I look at our health care system, I'm glad that it's like that!. Then again, in theory many health care systems have their benefits and could work very well. It's just that in practice nothing is quite so great.
I love your outfit by the way!
Kate x
we have a medicare levy system in Aus, which is a publicly funded universal healthcare system. However, the public health system varies under each state, and to be honest, the public hospitals in my state aren't swell.
On another note, you're looking great (as always) and totally rocking those bright purple tights, goes so well with that top, earrings and blazer ;)
In my country , privatisation of Healthcare Service is taking place. I think every country around the world is having the similar problem.
Privatisation of healthcare does not only burden the people but also the profession, the doctors and nurses so to speak.
There is a very big gap between local and oversea graduated doctors in terms of their pay and job opportunities. For example these overseas graduates are getting higher pay irregardless of their working experience as compared to a seasoned local grad. This in turn lured the local grads to swarm the private hospitals and only a handful were left in public hospitals, fresh, inexperienced doctors.
Not many could afford medical treatments from a private hospital. The direct effect of privatisation of healthcare service is that the people would not afford the best healthcare service. Only the rich ones could. This is only one of the many effects of privatisation of this sector.
We can be considered lucky to have very cheap medical treatments in a public hospital but the service could be very poor for the obvious reasons stated above.
To add salt to the wound, not all doctors in private hospitals could provide a satisfactory service. Like public hospitals, their overseas graduates are fresh and inexperienced. The only difference is, where they came from. So what happpened to the experienced handful of doctors? Swimming around the idea of capitalists' idea of privatisation, of not only healthcare, but also basic necessities like water, electricity and the most frightening one the human mind. They own you, so to speak.
That is the situation in my country. Back to your question, Is it wrong to provide medical insurance to people who need it but just can't afford it, wrong?
Well, what's the point really?
I could be a poor American, bed ridden, save up enough to afford an insurance but the crucial question here is, would i be covered under the scheme? I've heard too many times that insurance companies would not dish out the money that easily. There WILL be some irregularities pertaining to some procedures and God knows what. What's the point really? I will die waiting.
Please don't take this personally and i'm not preaching here. You can totally disregard what i said.
I'm talking too much:)
You may wanna watch Michael Moore's Sicko to get the rough idea of the medical insurance issue i just mentioned.
First off I'd like to say that I'm really jealous of your glasses, I've been looking for glasses like those since forever!
I don't really know anything about politics, but I think health care should be offered to all citizens regardless. Charge extra tax or whatever the government needs to do, it's better than a 50 000 dollar bill from the hospital....
In Canada, it's a bitch to pay 13% tax but it's worth it in the end. health care is a basic necessity of life!
ahhhhh so jealous of your polaroid camera. Hmmmm what you say about politics is interesting. I don't understand how people don't support the healthcare issue. I mean people need healthcare! Shouldn't the government provide it for them? then again I'm from Seattle, therefore, I'm a hardcore liberal.
-indigo
Beautiful outfit!
Just stumbled by & I love your blog! :)
- Audrey Allure <3
http://audreyallure.blogspot.com
Being British, free, national healthcare for all seems to me to be the norm. I've never know, could never imagine, anything different.
I feel that our NHS is something to be proud of, even though many say its poorly managed and inefficient. Of course it has its flaws, but being a left leaning socialist myself, I could not possibly be a supporter of private health care.
I've been reading quite a lot about this issue in America, ever since it became a hot topic when a Tory MP slated the NHS on Fox News. I am supporter of Mr. Obama's administration and I was overjoyed when the bill was passed - at last the man who had promised so much change was actually doing something to make America a fairer place.
If I'm being totally honest, I've never liked or admired American republicanism (Sarah Palin, enough said) and I'm very happy that the US is now becoming (hopefully) a place where even the poorest of society can get medical attention.
I'm from Canada and I love our health care system, the spreading the wealth thing works really well. In my opinion anyways. We were discusing it in school after watching the news and all of us just couldn't imagine having what the USA has, it wierded us out.
On another note, that outfit is rad.
Yay polaroid camera!
Do you find it frustrating how the film is so expensive these days? I'm now thinking of buying it in bulk on eBay before the prices increase even more.
Thank you for your comment - I actually made the Chanel knockoffs myself. I found a fairly large photograph of two sheets of the real Chanel tattoos online and I photoshopped it to correct the colouring and remove all the shadows. I purchased six sheets of temporary tattoo paper from eBay, which was about $30 AUD, and works in both inkjet and laser printers. Printed them and I voila!
They were just for a bit of fun with my friends. The real ones are much prettier, and probably less shiny and thick as my homemade ones. They also have white in them - but you can't print white ink on standard printers like mine! =P
just came across your blog, it's fantastic! I love the way you put your outfits together - so creative and I seriously appreciate the "recessionista" aspect of your style as well.
I'm conflicted regarding the bill. Like you, I respect/admire what it advocates, but I can't seem to get past the fact that there are so many undeserving people who will benefit from yet another all-powerful gov't program when they aren't doing anything themselves to better their own situations. That's a tough one, though, because I can understand both sides.
xo Ashley from Grunge Glamour & Graphomania
Ohhhh I love this outfit, perfect for spring. That shirt is fantastic! And it's great for that you feel comfortable enough to express your political views. In this day & age, it's important to be knowledgeable about what's going on.
It'd be great if this healthcare thing ends up like the NHS in England, I've heard how good it is not to worry about medical bills if you are hurt or sick. The problem with the bill that was just passed is that it is so full of bloat and promises to various constitutes that I don't think it will get anything done but increase our national debt. Completely removing it as the Republicans advocate isn't a good idea either, but there has to be some compromise, right?
i love the colors in this outfit :) and polaroids ftw :)
xx
your style is really fresh. i love the bright colors.
Love the shades!! :) Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog,
and to answer your question I upload my photos to an old version of photoshop then adjust the brightness and contrast levels so if the photos are shot in dull light ill make the photo lighter and brighter :)
vicki xo
I'm originally from the UK but living in the US for a little while...can really appreciate the NHS now while being away from it. My friend was ill recently and had to pay $100 for a doctors visit! The most you'll pay in the UK is around £8 for a prescription; now I'm here I have anxiety and fear about getting ill while here.
Love your shirt btw!
I love reading your comments! I hate working with people that simply attack health care. It is nice to see both sides from all your international readers. I'm jealous that all the Europeans love you! haha. I coincidentally discuss socialism in my blog too but only briefly.
great leggings chicaaa! btw i love how you analyze my work. the critiques you give are really insightful :)
Heyy. Currently in my final year of a Politics and history BA with hons.
I could go on and on and on and on about health care coverage and the comparison with the UK and the US.
Well, just basically, it's going to be benefit the American vox populi (man on the street) a whole deal but it's going to cost a whole lot. Plus, it has to be done right, if it's not it's just going to cost a lot and the private insurers are going to take as much as they can.
What the US should've done was implement this around fifty years ago like when the UK introduced the NHS.
Say what you like about it, it's a good system which is free on point of use.
And I'll take it that you're a Democrat then? :P
i love that your dad took these photos! and that your mom had dior sunglasses from the 80's. i'm jealous ;)
and by the way- go healthcare!
i love how you took the picture beside the pool. it really enhances the bright colors. great sunglasses, too. :)
i dont know much about politics, but i think the idea of universal health care is very nice. but i'm sure the president understands it better than i do. i appreciate how you try to keep an open mind because i know some real stubborn people who just dont try to understand. anyway, i guess we just have to trust in the government...
happy easter weekend!
erin :)
love the purple leggings!
lovelove, M.
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com
love your coloured blog !
So cool that you remixed your parents' old clothes, you look great!
And this was a very interesting read. I tentatively support universal health care as well (for the same reasons as yours) but can definitely understand the counterarguments.
Nice outfit, sweet pictures. And uhh, politics is always a dirty game.
-Berlin-
The wonderful thing about healthcare in Britain is that it's always there for everybody. In most countries, you could pay out for insurance all your life, but say you lose your job to the recession. As a knock on effect of this, you cannot afford health insurance any longer. You lose your healthcare. In Britain, the money you put into the system means that it's always there for you, when you need it. Not when you can pay for it.
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