Canadian Health Care

From what I've read, the "mob rule" anger and rudeness so evident at the townhalls (at least as portrayed in the media) is the result of "viral" emails, certain preachers exhorting their flock, and the media who don't have either the "balls" or even the intent to seek out the truth.

My concern is that, with a possible federal election in the offing here in Canada, are we to be bombarded with the same tactics?  And what can we do to stop them?  We've already had the example of negative ads (outside of a campaign) and I absolutely hate them. The party says it uses them because they "work".  Where on earth has the desire for truthfulness gone?  And how can we bring it back?

(Sorry, this is sort of off-topic, but it's really been bugging me....)

I wonder about the people who are convinced by the negative ads? What is wrong with their thinking process?!

I watched a re-run of Boston Legal last night and the issue of political campaign ads and the lies that are told in them was part of the script.  Hmmmm, too bad it's legal.  And no point in launching a slander suit because by the time it comes to court, the election will be over, and we all know that we humans tend to always believe the worst in people -- otherwise there would be no market for tabloids and scandal sheets.   (By the way, I never did watch Boston Legal when it first came out -- so I'm really enjoying it now!!! -- the writing is amazing).

So, coupled with the average IQ of 100, plus Helen's note that many don't have the education or training to look at things objectively and sift through the chaff to find the grains of truth, negative ads will continue to work until our lawmakers declare them unlawful.  The sorry thing is that any political party that refuses to stoop so low will not, in the end, be rewarded for good behaviour by being elected.

And now, back to Canadian healthcare>>>>>

Layne, you are welcome to come north anytime you want. We won't even ask for a passport.

Thanks for the links, Layne.   Interesting.  Angel

Why do I keep on thinking that the "we don't trust him" is just a euphemism for something much more revolting?

Linda, I'm thinking the same thing you are. These are the people who elected Geoge W. TWO times ..... like once wasn't enough????!!!!

That person only has 2 posts under his/her belt.  Speaks volumes.

For so long the US has been looking for problems outside their country -- those nasty WMD and terrorists.  They haven't had to focus on their own country and it's internal problems.  They've been too busy running around like cowboys.  It's a slap in the face to see that their own country isn't the best in the world, as they thought.  They're in shock and being defensive -- how dare someone point out their weakness(es).  So they're trying to shoot down Obama for drawing attention to their inadequacies, and bury them under the carpet.  Out of sight out of mind.

Hey guys, what's up with all the brand new posters on the other thread?  Do you think it is just coincidental?

And that's why it was so gratifying to see such a wide majority of electoral college votes in the 2008 election.  Too bad many Repubs still refuse to accept the people's will.....

hrf -- on the respect thing you are so right. The left may have hated George W. but they respected the office. Not like the idiot from South Carolina who yelled "you lie" at the President this evening during his speech. The lack of respect for Obama was also shown in the kerfuffle about him speaking to school children.  Bush was in a classroom on 9/11 for heaven's sake. Presidents have a tradition of speaking to children. But not when that president is Obama. Then it is seen as some kind of scary political manuever.

I'm in a bad mood tonight, so I better get off the boards. Sorry for talking you off topic.

I think most of us outside the U.S. recognize the "underlying" issue that makes so many southern repubs angry about the current occupant of the White House.  They have no idea the damage they are doing to the world's opinion of the U.S.  Fortunately those of us closest to you know that the  majority of Americans are caring individuals who respect their democratically elected President and want only the best for their fellow citizens.

Hugs to all my American sisters,

Linda

Shirley, I can totally accept what you are saying about your own value system and that disagreement doesn't equal racism. However, the poisonous comments and outright lies coming from some American pundits are being noticed around the world and the international media are commenting on what is happening in your country. You probably wouldn't get to see these articles but I have seen them in our national papers - some written here and some reprinted from other countries. The beauty of living in a democracy is that, while we are free to speak openly about our governments, we generally respect the office of the President or the Prime Minister or whoever happens to hold the top job in our respective countries, and we overall support our country because we know that we can vote differently in the next election. We like to think that we live in civil societies where we respect the role of the majority......sometimes our candidate wins and sometimes not but we know that within the next 4 years we have a chance to get a new leader. I do wish good things for my American friends - and certainly all of us on these boards want good things for each other because we all face a common challenge - breast cancer.

If we are getting back to Canadian health care, then I have a problem and maybe someone here has advice for me. I started the Arimidex about a month ago. My baseline bone mineral density confirms osteopenia (not news).....and I think many of us have heard about the research indicating that Zometa reduces risk of bc recurrence by 35% as well as protecting our bones. The hospital where I get my treatment won't administer Zometa and my insurance company says that it is a drug covered under the Canada Health Act and so they won't pay for it. The people from the drug company will actually arrange for someone to come to my home for the infusion ... but I would have to pay about $1,000 for each infusion. Has anyone else encountered this? Any suggestions?