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I rather like my health insurance plan, though neither I nor my employer (I've talked with my company's president, and our CFO about it) are too happy with the costs, nor the rate at which they've been increasing in the past 10+ years. I've been working in or with insurance for the past ten years too, so I am not entirely ignorant of which I write.

Thanks for insulting the Daily Show. It's the easiest way to label yourself for folks. You might have well have just written this:

http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/yee_haw_my_vote_cancels_out

Edit: found a better one:
http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/like_hell_im_going_to_let_some

Relapse wrote:The harbor was mined and supplies were significantly cut down and the North's military effort was actually beginning to falter and Hanoi was actually considering abandoning the war effort.
The protestors, however had caused the harbor to be demined so humanitarian supplies could be reestablished.

Like most stories about how the war was almost won until the politicians did something, that's not true.

The harbour was mined in 1972 and remained mined and sealed for the duration of the war. It was not cleared until after cease-fire in 1973.

Mannahnin wrote:

Dorns Fist wrote: They feel protesting/demonstrating doesn't change anything. In the US their is widespread frustration and anger at the huge deficit/debt we are running up and at the healthcare bills the government is looking at passing. The politicians don't care though and most of the media (along with the politicians) ignore or try to discredit the demonstrations.

Anyone protesting healthcare reform now has a) no clue how (badly) our health insurance system works or b) so much profit from it that they don’t give a feth. The ignorant and aggressive folks at the town hall meetings this summer were very depressing to see. For the most part no sense of how the legislative process works. The Daily Show took the piss out of them pretty well.

Respectfully, the issue is not healthcare reform. Vast majorities want healthcare insurance reform. The issue is what the Democrats proposed, which is not that. Good men with fair opinions can disagree with vigor on the merits of those proposals.

It certainly is reform. You can't possible argue that limited pre-ex restrictions isn't a reform, for example. The question and the debate are about exactly what kinds of reform we want and need. I'm with Bernie Sanders, personally, in seeing a public option (a voluntary Medicare-type program open to anyone) as an important component.

People protesting this Summer included Medicare recipients objecting to Socialized Medicine, and people who wanted a representative to promise that the text of a bill would not change during the legislative process. Which are both just absurd.

Frazzled wrote:

Mannahnin wrote:

Dorns Fist wrote: They feel protesting/demonstrating doesn't change anything. In the US their is widespread frustration and anger at the huge deficit/debt we are running up and at the healthcare bills the government is looking at passing. The politicians don't care though and most of the media (along with the politicians) ignore or try to discredit the demonstrations.

Anyone protesting healthcare reform now has a) no clue how (badly) our health insurance system works or b) so much profit from it that they don’t give a feth. The ignorant and aggressive folks at the town hall meetings this summer were very depressing to see. For the most part no sense of how the legislative process works. The Daily Show took the piss out of them pretty well.

Respectfully, the issue is not healthcare reform. Vast majorities want healthcare insurance reform. The issue is what the Democrats proposed, which is not that. Good men with fair opinions can disagree with vigor on the merits of those proposals.

There are a lot of people that worry about the democrat's plan, and god knows I'm one of them, but Let's be careful painting all the people against it as being good men with fair opinions. There's a lot of ignorance, naked greed, and ugly entitlement going around on both sides. I'm not one to blame the entire opposition for the actions of a handful, but there's been enough shenanigans to not have a ton of respect for some of those that oppose.

And that's the fundamental difference: while the progressives might be just as out of touch and clueless, they're goal is ostensibly to prevent people from dying or being sick needlessly. The goal of the others is to save some money. It's not hard to see which is going to play better.

Polonius wrote: There's a lot of ignorance, naked greed, and ugly entitlement going around on both sides.

warms my heart. Reminds of my last family reunion.

I'm not one to blame the entire opposition for the actions of a handful, but there's been enough shenanigans to not have a ton of respect for some of those that oppose.

And that's the fundamental difference: while the progressives might be just as out of touch and clueless, they're goal is ostensibly to prevent people from dying or being sick needlessly. The goal of the others is to save some money. It's not hard to see which is going to play better.

Others would argue that the motives of those pushing this are to socialize medicine, socialize 1/6 of the US economy. Others would argue not only are their motives impure, but some are calling it treasonous.

I choose to ignore the rantings of both sides and focus on the legislatation that is there and its impact. note I am not stating an opinion here. But impugning the motives of one side over another is...misplaced.

I stated the facts as I see them.

I stated "anyone protesting healthcare reform". And I stand by that. There are certainly people who disagree with the various proposals for it who are engaged in reasonable dissent and debate about how and whether particular reform components should be enacted, but that's not "protesting" as discussed in this thread.

The fact that many insurance companies are making record profits while reducing benefits and increasing premiums is a matter of public record.

The fact that many people making the harshest objections to reform have demonstrated fundamental ignorance of the existing healthcare system and our legislative process is also a matter of public record.

I'm making extremely harsh objections to the BILLs as currently contemplated. I'd proffer I have neither fundamental ignorance fo the existing system or legislature.

Are you holding a sign and screaming? Are you making personal threats or ridiculous statements at town hall meetings? Are you sponsoring alarmist and deceptive TV ads to protect your personal profits? If not, then you're not what I just talked about.

We could all use a few extra bob in the current economic climate.

Mannahnin wrote:Are you holding a sign and screaming? Are you making personal threats at town hall meetings? Are you sponsoring alarmist and deceptive TV ads to protect your personal profits? If not, then you're not what I just talked about.

Well you said "anyone protesting health reform." I'm protesting. Id be outside screming but I'm lazy and preparing for the apocalypse due to that snow in Houston thing.
We are in Zombie Condition Yellow People.

2 mods enter, 1 mod leaves.

Sorry about that, but wasn't the OP about the fact that people son't seem to protest anymore? Perhaps its because everyone sahres their ideas on DakkaDakka.

DakkaDakka, the world's source for information... and warmth.

And Queso. Mmmm queso...

You can label me how ever you wish. I do not care. I do not yell or scream at meetings but can sypathise with those who do. I can tell you for a fact you do not want what they are selling. They are modeling this so called reform off of the militarys health care plan for service members. I love the plan my family gets. It's great. I also know it will get the gak taxed out of it to help pay for the National plan because it is Blue Cross/Blue Shield. My plan on the other hands sucks. We have the best shock trama treatment in the world. Now try and go see a doctor if you have the snivles. Nope you will see a Corpsmen who may or may not be able to diagnose you correctly. Have a back injury, need an MRI? Nope it is not cost effective to send you because you have yet to complain enough. You will be triaged. It does not bother me because I signed up for it. It should bother you because you should not be subjected to the same treatment as service men. Don’t get me wrong the system is broken but what they want is not the same as what YOU want for your family.
Like I said what my family receives is not what I receive and certainly will not be what you get. It would cost far too much. This is the reason I get fired up about this subject. As it stands most people get what they need. If you are a productive member of society the system has a good chance of helping you. If not well I find it hard to really care about you. If we do this no one is going to win. But hey let the entitlements roll out. I can’t wait to pay 30% of my income in taxes.

Ignoring the Healthcare interwebs timebomb, I think the OP question is a "Good Old Days" view of history.

If you really want to focus past the "Vietnam" era, you can see that almost every decade has been a "social upheaval" that has not been matched to this day. Like clockwork.

The upheavals are glorified, and as our memories fade (right Frazz?), the magnification of major events holds up more than the mundanity of the majority.

I am sure the current gay rights movements, students-rights movements, anti-Iraq war movements, 9/11 solidarity, environmental activism, and the health-care movements will be particularly propped up in a historical context 10 or 20 years from now. Most of us will have our memory be selective to those moments in history. Societal stances always shift, and new methods of assessing the current trends will always shift as well. The telephone, the television, the internet, all have caused a shift in the way we disseminate information, thus leading to a shift in the way we deal with the world around us.

As the saying goes, the young man looking forward always becomes the old man looking back.

EDIT: Holy crap! I just realized I can double click on my posts to edit them! WHY WASN'T I INFORMED?!

mstersmith wrote:You can label me how ever you wish. I do not care. I do not yell or scream at meetings but can sypathise with those who do. I can tell you for a fact you do not want what they are selling. They are modeling this so called reform off of the militarys health care plan for service members. I love the plan my family gets. It's great. I also know it will get the gak taxed out of it to help pay for the National plan because it is Blue Cross/Blue Shield. My plan on the other hands sucks. We have the best shock trama treatment in the world. Now try and go see a doctor if you have the snivles. Nope you will see a Corpsmen who may or may not be able to diagnose you correctly. Have a back injury, need an MRI? Nope it is not cost effective to send you because you have yet to complain enough. You will be triaged. It does not bother me because I signed up for it. It should bother you because you should not be subjected to the same treatment as service men. Don’t get me wrong the system is broken but what they want is not the same as what YOU want for your family.
Like I said what my family receives is not what I receive and certainly will not be what you get. It would cost far too much. This is the reason I get fired up about this subject. As it stands most people get what they need. If you are a productive member of society the system has a good chance of helping you. If not well I find it hard to really care about you. If we do this no one is going to win. But hey let the entitlements roll out. I can’t wait to pay 30% of my income in taxes.

Wait the wife has a label maker. Let me get it (click click, sticks to forehead). There, I feel better about myself now.

Frazzled wrote:
Others would argue that the motives of those pushing this are to socialize medicine, socialize 1/6 of the US economy. Others would argue not only are their motives impure, but some are calling it treasonous.

That's my point. The very fact that some people are calling it "treasonous" is exactly the sort of goofball argument that's simply not supportable. Congress has all the power it wants to pay for health care.

As for socializing medicine, and 1/6 of the economy, isn't something like 60% of that sector already socialized? Health care has virtually no free market components in it, whatsoever. Between government spending making up the bulk of health care expenses, the stranglehold the AMA has on artificially keeping the number of doctors down, and the incredible patchwork of laws providing health care in emergencies, to the destitute, etc., etc, there isn't exactly a lot of unbridled capitilism left. Chuck in the argument that a public option will decrease the cost of entrepeneurism (the source of nearly all economic growth, competition, and new jobs), and the complaints about "socialism" and "treason" seem more scare tactic than valid.

I choose to ignore the rantings of both sides and focus on the legislatation that is there and its impact. note I am not stating an opinion here. But impugning the motives of one side over another is...misplaced.

I call 'em like I see 'em. I don't see the motives of simply socializing things to be inherently bad. I do see preventing needless deaths. illnesses, and bankruptcies of the working class (not the destitute, mind you, who are already covered), as being inherently more valuable to our society than protecting the interests of the health industry.

mstersmith wrote:
Ya I guess I am an idiot because I can cover my family. Boo hooo 10% of the US can not. I like my health care just fine. Ignorant at the town halls? How about the ignorance our elected officials showed when challenged with the actual document they failed to read. I cant stand you fething Liberals trying take what I earned and give it to the undeserving. I loved every minute of it. I know I know I am evil because I like what I have and wil be damned if I have to pay more taxes so the trash and unwanted of this Nation can reap even more entitlements off my dime. The Daily Show is gak BTW.

Trash and unwanted... undeserving... Loved every minute of it eh?

Wow. I will pray for your future unemployment as I will pray for the unemployment of every one of the socially irresponsible jackass selfish bastard dogmolesting 'hey I'm alright and feth you all' pieces of gak that believe they all live in some socially removed bubble of their own smug piss.

I really hope you get to explain to your child one day that no, daddy can't afford that operation they need because despite being a tax paying stand up guy for years, the bottom just fell out of the economy and now your out of a job and some utter prick who's still in work thinks you are now unwanted and undeserving trash and he's loving every minute of it.

Edited out flaming- The mgmt.

Polonius FTW.

The president of my company owns it. We have less than 100 employees. Health insurance costs are a huge obstacle for him/us.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:

mstersmith wrote:
Ya I guess I am an idiot because I can cover my family. Boo hooo 10% of the US can not. I like my health care just fine. Ignorant at the town halls? How about the ignorance our elected officials showed when challenged with the actual document they failed to read. I cant stand you fething Liberals trying take what I earned and give it to the undeserving. I loved every minute of it. I know I know I am evil because I like what I have and wil be damned if I have to pay more taxes so the trash and unwanted of this Nation can reap even more entitlements off my dime. The Daily Show is gak BTW.

Trash and unwanted... undeserving... Loved every minute of it eh?

Wow. I will pray for your future unemployment as I will pray for the unemployment of every one of the socially irresponsible jackass selfish bastard dogmolesting 'hey I'm alright and feth you all' pieces of gak that believe they all live in some socially removed bubble of their own smug piss.

I really hope you get to explain to your child one day that no, daddy can't afford that operation they need because despite being a tax paying stand up guy for years, the bottom just fell out of the economy and now your out of a job and some utter prick who's still in work thinks you are now unwanted and undeserving trash and he's loving every minute of it.

Edited out flaming- The mgmt.

Ya ok. I will dig ditches again if I have to. I will work every damn second of every day if I had to. I have done it before and would do it again. Hell my brother was out of work, went to home Depot and did some day laybor work for a few weeks and was hired on as a framer again. So please cry the river wider. If you want work its there. Its a matter of pride. I know getting your hands dirty is beneath most now but work is work. Mechanics are in such high demand they will higher you on as an apprentice just to have an extra set of hands. The chances of me ever being unemployed are slim to none. No job is beneath me but I grew up poor and had to work on the construction yard for years. When I speak of the unwanted you and I have very very different interpritations of that. I have worked with men you would not want near your family. Men who spent every dime they had on drugs and would blame everyone but themselves and would watch there family starve. Others who would pull welfare and work. I guess my background leaves little empathy for those people. Nope it will never ever happen, I will always have a job of some sort. But hey thanks I appreciate it. Really I do.


edit: That wasnt flamy. Damn I got thick skin they sell lotion for it

mstersmith wrote:
Ya ok. I will dig ditches again if I have to. I will work every damn second of every day if I had to. I have done it before and would do it again. Hell my brother was out of work, went to home Depot and did some day laybor work for a few weeks and was hired on as a framer again. So please cry the river wider. If you want work its there. Its a matter of pride. I know getting your hands dirty is beneath most now but work is work. Mechanics are in such high demand they will higher you on as an apprentice just to have an extra set of hands. The chances of me ever being unemployed are slim to none. No job is beneath me but I grew up poor and had to work on the construction yard for years. When I speak of the unwanted you and I have very very different interpritations of that. I have worked with men you would not want near your family. Men who spent every dime they had on drugs and would blame everyone but themselves and would watch there family starve. Others who would pull welfare and work. I guess my background leaves little empathy for those people. Nope it will never ever happen, I will always have a job of some sort. But hey thanks I appreciate it. Really I do.


edit: That wasnt flamy. Damn I got thick skin they sell lotion for it

While I commend your work ethic, I have to ask this: what would happen if you had a kid with a chronic illness? As a pre existing condition, you couldn't get coverage, and treatments can escalate far beyond six figures a year. Or, what if you get sick or hurt?

One of the flaws in pure capitalism is that it leaves no allowance for those that can't produce enough to support themselves. Outside of family or charity, they simply die. 150 years ago, when treatments were cheaper and less effective, going without coverage made sense. Today, when expensive but effective treatments can be the difference between life and death, we have to ask ourselves if we're comfortable allowing people to die simply because they (or their parents) didn't have a job that provided health insurance.

With the current state of American Health care, I think we need to go one of two ways: increased regulation and outright nationalization to ensure that everybody is covered nearly regardless of cost (like we do with schools), or break up the interests that are artificially keeping prices out of reach of those wishing to pay a la carte. Build a dozen new medical schools. Aggressively pursue cheaper contracts at the federal level.

As it is, we have the worst of both worlds. A highly regulated and government involved system with outrageous waste and cost that still makes treatment unaffordable to those that want to pay cash.

Polonius wrote:

mstersmith wrote:
Ya ok. I will dig ditches again if I have to. I will work every damn second of every day if I had to. I have done it before and would do it again. Hell my brother was out of work, went to home Depot and did some day laybor work for a few weeks and was hired on as a framer again. So please cry the river wider. If you want work its there. Its a matter of pride. I know getting your hands dirty is beneath most now but work is work. Mechanics are in such high demand they will higher you on as an apprentice just to have an extra set of hands. The chances of me ever being unemployed are slim to none. No job is beneath me but I grew up poor and had to work on the construction yard for years. When I speak of the unwanted you and I have very very different interpritations of that. I have worked with men you would not want near your family. Men who spent every dime they had on drugs and would blame everyone but themselves and would watch there family starve. Others who would pull welfare and work. I guess my background leaves little empathy for those people. Nope it will never ever happen, I will always have a job of some sort. But hey thanks I appreciate it. Really I do.


edit: That wasnt flamy. Damn I got thick skin they sell lotion for it

While I commend your work ethic, I have to ask this: what would happen if you had a kid with a chronic illness? As a pre existing condition, you couldn't get coverage, and treatments can escalate far beyond six figures a year. Or, what if you get sick or hurt?

One of the flaws in pure capitalism is that it leaves no allowance for those that can't produce enough to support themselves. Outside of family or charity, they simply die. 150 years ago, when treatments were cheaper and less effective, going without coverage made sense. Today, when expensive but effective treatments can be the difference between life and death, we have to ask ourselves if we're comfortable allowing people to die simply because they (or their parents) didn't have a job that provided health insurance.

With the current state of American Health care, I think we need to go one of two ways: increased regulation and outright nationalization to ensure that everybody is covered nearly regardless of cost (like we do with schools), or break up the interests that are artificially keeping prices out of reach of those wishing to pay a la carte. Build a dozen new medical schools. Aggressively pursue cheaper contracts at the federal level.

As it is, we have the worst of both worlds. A highly regulated and government involved system with outrageous waste and cost that still makes treatment unaffordable to those that want to pay cash.

I am not with out empathy. I feel for those out of work. As my other post outlined though, I do not think we are getting what we want with this. The economy falling into the crapper and being finacially unstable is a personal responsibility. I have many friends in going into bankrupsy atm. I am tapped out on loans to friends or I will go under. I am tired of supposed entitlements and hand outs. I suppose my argument would have more credit if half the country were not out of work. Its a gak sandwich no matter what happens. If there is anything to be angry about it is the banks, CEO's and the laybor unions being bailed out while the rest of the Nation suffers. Were are those protests? I would like to see some demenstratuions like the ones we had during the WTO summit recently. If we pulled back the mony we give in foriegn aid we could pay for this health care system 10 times over. But we wont so we will further punish the haves to help the have nots. I am tired of it. If I was ordered to break up one of those riots I would tell my CO to feth off. We are devided on purpose. This Health care issue is nothing more than a distraction from the real issues at hand. Sorry this is a ramble.

mstersmith wrote:
I am not with out empathy. I feel for those out of work. As my other post outlined though, I do not think we are getting what we want with this. The economy falling into the crapper and being finacially unstable is a personal responsibility. I have many friends in going into bankrupsy atm. I am tapped out on loans to friends or I will go under. I am tired of supposed entitlements and hand outs. I suppose my argument would have more credit if half the country were not out of work. Its a gak sandwich no matter what happens. If there is anything to be angry about it is the banks, CEO's and the laybor unions being bailed out while the rest of the Nation suffers. Were are those protests? I would like to see some demenstratuions like the ones we had during the WTO summit recently. If we pulled back the mony we give in foriegn aid we could pay for this health care system 10 times over. But we wont so we will further punish the haves to help the have nots. I am tired of it. If I was ordered to break up one of those riots I would tell my CO to feth off. We are devided on purpose. This Health care issue is nothing more than a distraction from the real issues at hand. Sorry this is a ramble.

So... not real response then. That's fine, I appreciate a good rant as much as the next guy. It's just good to realize it's a rant, and not, you know, an argument.

Polonius wrote:

mstersmith wrote:
I am not with out empathy. I feel for those out of work. As my other post outlined though, I do not think we are getting what we want with this. The economy falling into the crapper and being finacially unstable is a personal responsibility. I have many friends in going into bankrupsy atm. I am tapped out on loans to friends or I will go under. I am tired of supposed entitlements and hand outs. I suppose my argument would have more credit if half the country were not out of work. Its a gak sandwich no matter what happens. If there is anything to be angry about it is the banks, CEO's and the laybor unions being bailed out while the rest of the Nation suffers. Were are those protests? I would like to see some demenstratuions like the ones we had during the WTO summit recently. If we pulled back the mony we give in foriegn aid we could pay for this health care system 10 times over. But we wont so we will further punish the haves to help the have nots. I am tired of it. If I was ordered to break up one of those riots I would tell my CO to feth off. We are devided on purpose. This Health care issue is nothing more than a distraction from the real issues at hand. Sorry this is a ramble.

So... not real response then. That's fine, I appreciate a good rant as much as the next guy. It's just good to realize it's a rant, and not, you know, an argument.

Well this is pretty ranty too to those who disagree with you.

I call 'em like I see 'em. I don't see the motives of simply socializing things to be inherently bad. I do see preventing needless deaths. illnesses, and bankruptcies of the working class (not the destitute, mind you, who are already covered), as being inherently more valuable to our society than protecting the interests of the health industry.

I'd suggest everyone get off the ranty my side is right your side is evil arguments being made now or this thread is going down fast.

We did answer his question though. The Angry young man is still alive and kicking

Frazzled wrote:

Polonius wrote:

mstersmith wrote:
I am not with out empathy. I feel for those out of work. As my other post outlined though, I do not think we are getting what we want with this. The economy falling into the crapper and being finacially unstable is a personal responsibility. I have many friends in going into bankrupsy atm. I am tapped out on loans to friends or I will go under. I am tired of supposed entitlements and hand outs. I suppose my argument would have more credit if half the country were not out of work. Its a gak sandwich no matter what happens. If there is anything to be angry about it is the banks, CEO's and the laybor unions being bailed out while the rest of the Nation suffers. Were are those protests? I would like to see some demenstratuions like the ones we had during the WTO summit recently. If we pulled back the mony we give in foriegn aid we could pay for this health care system 10 times over. But we wont so we will further punish the haves to help the have nots. I am tired of it. If I was ordered to break up one of those riots I would tell my CO to feth off. We are devided on purpose. This Health care issue is nothing more than a distraction from the real issues at hand. Sorry this is a ramble.

So... not real response then. That's fine, I appreciate a good rant as much as the next guy. It's just good to realize it's a rant, and not, you know, an argument.

Well this is pretty ranty too to those who disagree with you.

I call 'em like I see 'em. I don't see the motives of simply socializing things to be inherently bad. I do see preventing needless deaths. illnesses, and bankruptcies of the working class (not the destitute, mind you, who are already covered), as being inherently more valuable to our society than protecting the interests of the health industry.

I'd suggest everyone get off the ranty my side is right your side is evil arguments being made now or this thread is going down fast.

Are you really comfortably calling my statement as a rant?

Why not just be honest and say "because I disagree with you, I'm going to call your arguments a rant, and ignore them."

It is possible for one side to hold moral high ground. I think I can make a better case than you can for my side.

Polonius wins the thread a second time.

Polonius wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

Polonius wrote:

mstersmith wrote:
I am not with out empathy. I feel for those out of work. As my other post outlined though, I do not think we are getting what we want with this. The economy falling into the crapper and being finacially unstable is a personal responsibility. I have many friends in going into bankrupsy atm. I am tapped out on loans to friends or I will go under. I am tired of supposed entitlements and hand outs. I suppose my argument would have more credit if half the country were not out of work. Its a gak sandwich no matter what happens. If there is anything to be angry about it is the banks, CEO's and the laybor unions being bailed out while the rest of the Nation suffers. Were are those protests? I would like to see some demenstratuions like the ones we had during the WTO summit recently. If we pulled back the mony we give in foriegn aid we could pay for this health care system 10 times over. But we wont so we will further punish the haves to help the have nots. I am tired of it. If I was ordered to break up one of those riots I would tell my CO to feth off. We are devided on purpose. This Health care issue is nothing more than a distraction from the real issues at hand. Sorry this is a ramble.

So... not real response then. That's fine, I appreciate a good rant as much as the next guy. It's just good to realize it's a rant, and not, you know, an argument.

Well this is pretty ranty too to those who disagree with you.

I call 'em like I see 'em. I don't see the motives of simply socializing things to be inherently bad. I do see preventing needless deaths. illnesses, and bankruptcies of the working class (not the destitute, mind you, who are already covered), as being inherently more valuable to our society than protecting the interests of the health industry.

I'd suggest everyone get off the ranty my side is right your side is evil arguments being made now or this thread is going down fast.

Are you really comfortably calling my statement as a rant?

Why not just be honest and say "because I disagree with you, I'm going to call your arguments a rant, and ignore them."

It is possible for one side to hold moral high ground. I think I can make a better case than you can for my side.

1. You're actually assuming I disagree on all your points. You would be wrong.
2. Yes it is possible. But not here! Not now! (ok I'll quit channeling the Spaniard now, I need to see that again)

USA foreign aid spending is large in dollar amount but very small compared to the size of the country's economy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_policy_of_the_United_States#Foreign_aid

0.2% of gross national income.


US healthcare spending is massive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_the_United_States#Health_care_spending

About 16% of GDP.


GNI and GDP are not exactly the same thing but they are close enough to tell us that cancelling all foreign aid would have almost no measurable impact on health spending.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_national_income

Well, because you're new to the internet, allow me to explain that not all statements translate perfectly through written word.

I mean, your statement was true, in that anybody that disagrees with something can call it a rant and walk away. It's just not generally made unless you're actually pointing out that either 1) that's what was just done, or 2) that's what you want to do.