Patients are losing patience

[CHIMO]

With Barack Obama in the White House, large Democratic majorities in Congress, and a relentless focus in Washington on healthcare, this could have been the year the US finally joined the community of nations which guarantee healthcare for all their people.

But despite the alignment of these political stars, the escalating financial meltdown of the US healthcare system, and numerous polls showing overwhelming public support for systemic change, it looks like the opportunity could be lost again.

To be sure, something should be signed: "We're going to make it happen this year," President Obama repeated in a town hall meeting on 1 July. But at the price of accommodating conservatives in Congress, corporate interests, and the healthcare industry, Obama and the Democrats are poised to leave the private insurance system, largely responsible for the present crisis, entrenched in place.

Unlike many of his predecessors, President Obama has even praised the national health care systems that are second nature to citizens of the UK and other industrialised countries.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/jul/09/healthcare-reform-obama-nurses

[annabanana]

1. The rest of the civilized world is watching this, shaking their heads

in amazement.

[DCKit]

2. As they have since 2001 as they've watched U.S. with a mix of horror, amazement and humor.

They're the ones getting objective, responsible and honest news while we're (intentionally) breeding illiterates and giving the airwaves over to RW freaks for the education/informercial of the masses.

They might be laughing at our willful ignorance, but they're scared too.

[lk9550]

3. So much for "Change"

Looks like the same shit all over again.