Saying that because we spent a trillion dollars on war, we should spend a trillion on health care

[dkf]

is an awful argument.

Rather, you should say we should exit Iraq so that we can have healthcare reform.

I've never understood how one act of huge irresponsible spending justifies spending even more for any reason.

[Oregone]

1. It merely shows the ease at which the country *can* spend, if it wants to...

BUT, you would save money with single-payer universal health care, so the point is moot anyhow.

[dkf]

2. Well **can** the country spend like that if we get our credit rating

downgraded from AAA?

I have to tell you that since Obama started talking healthcare mortgage rates went up 1% and priced me out of my house buying comfort zone. The market really is perceiving that the US is near the top of its borrowing power and that is why the treasury auctions have become such a spectator sport recently.

And I'm not sure that Obama's health care plan will bring down costs. I think that the only way to do that IS to take the profit out of health care and bring down a lot of very healthy salaries, in addition to laying off the entire health insurance industry. If we paid doctors like we paid teachers, health care would be a lot less expensive for sure.

[Jeep789]

4. Bring down healthy salaries????

You seem to think that doctors are paid extravagantly. I disagree that they are overpaid and find that most, even in my non-profit HMO are competent and compassionate. Health care workers are not the problem and go through a lot to get to the pay scales they deserve.

Any reasonable health care program will bring down costs. We currently have the highest costs for the least care.

Perhaps, we should pay teachers more!

[Jeep789]

3. Exactly! nt

[sinkingfeeling]

5. We spend a trillion dollars a year on the military, so what's the big deal about $1 trillion over 10

years for healthcare?