The UK might have problems with waiting lists for planned surgeries but are well known for their excellent emergency care. Sometimes anecdotal accounts can screw reality.
Robert van BruggenJanuary 19, 2022
I agree with much of your article about socialism and communism. The way farmers and other business receive assistance in the US from the government it appears we are well on our way to a socialist society. There are two areas where a social system benefits all of society, that is education and health. A well educated nation will be a successful nation. And regarding health care Mr Stoddard, please take some time to read up on US vs, Canadian health care. You will find many similarities and many differences. Do not overlook the fact that Canadians do have a longer life expectancy than US citizens. While it is true that there are wait times for some non essential procedures, Heath Care in Canada is available to all and no one has ever lost their home or had a bankruptcy due to medical debt. Nor have Canadians ever had to borrow money from relatives to pay medical debt. When health care is available to everyone regardless of their income, the US will likely be a healthier nation. It may be that US health care corporations and doctors raking in billions of dollars are resisting a change to universal health care system for all,thereby neglecting the poor and middle income earners. The US health care system is sick and only works well for the wealthy and those with employment that will cover their health care insurance.
Ron BarnesJanuary 7, 2022
Part of the reason some Americans think socialism is so good is because they mistake social programs for socialism. All governments have social programs in some form or another, but socialism is something totally different. They need to be educated as to what socialism actually is.
I noticed, while reading the comments, the only disagreements concerned health care. While our system has its problems, it does have advantages that other systems don't.
Emily Jensen PorfiriJanuary 6, 2022
Amen. My experience (Romania, Poland, Italy, et.al.) has shown me the same thing.
Darlene NelsonJanuary 6, 2022
I am a Canadian and have been served well by our socialized medical plan. Your example from two friends didn’t give the true story of the Canadian Health Care system. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but our family would have been bankrupted dealing with my health care issues had I been a resident of the USA. Using that example doesn’t give credence to your article.
John R CarpenterJanuary 6, 2022
More inhumanity to man, since 1918, has been done in the name of Socialism than any other cause.
Socialism is NOT Freedom, it is control of the people.
John WaitingJanuary 6, 2022
Thank you Mark for an interesting look at these topics
Roberta HarrisJanuary 6, 2022
As a Canadian I can assure you I have never had to wait for any medical services and that goes for ALL of my family and friends over all of my adult years!! We have excellent doctors all over our country. I am disappointed at the slant your article took on our health care system.
Gary SmithJanuary 6, 2022
I am curious about the Canadian hospital shut down in 1993. I was living in Canada then and live in Canada now and do not remember that "Canada closed all hospitals". In fact that doesn't make sense, since each province runs its own health system. Perhaps one of the provinces temporarily cut back services at their hospitals but I don't remember it happening.
Wait times for some surgeries are a problem and some provinces have more difficulties than others.
On the other hand, I have never had to wait, here in Canada, more than 15 minutes after the appointment time for the doctor to see me. In fact, just this last monday, the doctor was ready for me 15 minutes before the appointment time. When living in Provo, my wife routinely would have to wait 30 to 90 minutes past the appointment time to see the doctor. Of course these are just anecdotes and don't paint the whole picture.
Karell BinghamJanuary 6, 2022
Such a great article! A real eye opener! Thank you so much, I love you both!
RobertJanuary 6, 2022
When discussing socialism/communism it is important to mention the deaths that are the result of the implementation of those systems of "government." Under Hitler's National Socialists in Germany/Hungary, etc, my father-in-law had his entire family murdered in the concentration camps. I knew a man who lost all his relatives in the Ukraine under the direction of Stalin. If in the United States, if we continue to permit our march towards socialism/communism, I think we will see similar results.
Iam Con CernedJanuary 6, 2022
This article seems so logical, but in fact, it isn't what people want to hear. Today, people want to hear how someone else (the government) should provide everything they thought they need FOR them: Health care? Should be a right, not something you buy. Opposing opinions? Should be regulated lest someone disagree. Gun ownership? Should only be in the hands of the police or military, not, heaven-forbid, my next-door neighbor. Morality and LGBTQ issues. Should be that no one judges anyone for we're all equal and there is no wrong.
And the list goes on-and-on, seemingly so very logical and desirable on the outside, but fraught with difficulties as Brother Stoddard so aptly represents.
I am concerned that in our rush to not be judgmental, we have forgotten that we must, --absolutely must-- judge and make judgments each and every day lest we fall for perverse and unethical scoundrels who are more than happy to lead the foolish and whomever else along.
John PearceJanuary 6, 2022
While I agree with the overall statements in this article I question how good the health system is in the USA
The cost is enormous
High cost, not highest quality. Despite spending far more on healthcare than other high-income nations, the US scores poorly on many key health measures, including life expectancy, preventable hospital admissions, suicide, and maternal mortality. And for all that expense, satisfaction with the current healthcare system is relatively low in the US.
People can be bankrupted by the cost of health issues and many people order their medications from over countries because of the high cost here. My own daughter even though she was insured is still paying off for her surgery many years later.
Maria ClaytonJanuary 6, 2022
I have met many in the church who tell me that living in a communist country has its benefits… Sorry to burst their bubble but if you have never lived in a communist country you have no idea… The sacrifices each individual goes through everyday to survive for even a line to receive a loaf of bread… And much more Thank You for your article Hospitals that look so amazing is for those in the regime… But for the everyday people it is not… They only show the best when you are visiting but go to the real areas in different neighborhoods you will have a rude awakening… Our Parents left Cuba for The United States of America the Land of the Free!!! I still remember how we were treated when we were leaving Cuba My Parents were treated horribly they would throw rocks eggs etc. by the committee in our neighborhood, they had 6 of the Regime come to our home to take inventory because they tell you everything belongs to the Country as well 2 were waiting at the car 2 at the front of our home and 2 came in our home we had 2 luggage and when one of the guards saw the second he said only one luggage you are allowed to take they took my parents wedding rings and said that belongs to the country they took my doll and took it apart looking for jewelry which the doll was empty they did not care they took inventory of everything in our home then the drove us to the actual stairs of the Airplane (Freedom Flights 1970) I still remember the Pilot going around the Cuban Island and my Father reading in his broken English the Constitution of the United States of America The Land of the Free Never take Freedom for granted!!! This is Gods country Cherish it and do not allow no one to destroy it by any ideology…
Comments | Return to Story
Christine BerryJanuary 19, 2022
The UK might have problems with waiting lists for planned surgeries but are well known for their excellent emergency care. Sometimes anecdotal accounts can screw reality.
Robert van BruggenJanuary 19, 2022
I agree with much of your article about socialism and communism. The way farmers and other business receive assistance in the US from the government it appears we are well on our way to a socialist society. There are two areas where a social system benefits all of society, that is education and health. A well educated nation will be a successful nation. And regarding health care Mr Stoddard, please take some time to read up on US vs, Canadian health care. You will find many similarities and many differences. Do not overlook the fact that Canadians do have a longer life expectancy than US citizens. While it is true that there are wait times for some non essential procedures, Heath Care in Canada is available to all and no one has ever lost their home or had a bankruptcy due to medical debt. Nor have Canadians ever had to borrow money from relatives to pay medical debt. When health care is available to everyone regardless of their income, the US will likely be a healthier nation. It may be that US health care corporations and doctors raking in billions of dollars are resisting a change to universal health care system for all,thereby neglecting the poor and middle income earners. The US health care system is sick and only works well for the wealthy and those with employment that will cover their health care insurance.
Ron BarnesJanuary 7, 2022
Part of the reason some Americans think socialism is so good is because they mistake social programs for socialism. All governments have social programs in some form or another, but socialism is something totally different. They need to be educated as to what socialism actually is. I noticed, while reading the comments, the only disagreements concerned health care. While our system has its problems, it does have advantages that other systems don't.
Emily Jensen PorfiriJanuary 6, 2022
Amen. My experience (Romania, Poland, Italy, et.al.) has shown me the same thing.
Darlene NelsonJanuary 6, 2022
I am a Canadian and have been served well by our socialized medical plan. Your example from two friends didn’t give the true story of the Canadian Health Care system. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but our family would have been bankrupted dealing with my health care issues had I been a resident of the USA. Using that example doesn’t give credence to your article.
John R CarpenterJanuary 6, 2022
More inhumanity to man, since 1918, has been done in the name of Socialism than any other cause. Socialism is NOT Freedom, it is control of the people.
John WaitingJanuary 6, 2022
Thank you Mark for an interesting look at these topics
Roberta HarrisJanuary 6, 2022
As a Canadian I can assure you I have never had to wait for any medical services and that goes for ALL of my family and friends over all of my adult years!! We have excellent doctors all over our country. I am disappointed at the slant your article took on our health care system.
Gary SmithJanuary 6, 2022
I am curious about the Canadian hospital shut down in 1993. I was living in Canada then and live in Canada now and do not remember that "Canada closed all hospitals". In fact that doesn't make sense, since each province runs its own health system. Perhaps one of the provinces temporarily cut back services at their hospitals but I don't remember it happening. Wait times for some surgeries are a problem and some provinces have more difficulties than others. On the other hand, I have never had to wait, here in Canada, more than 15 minutes after the appointment time for the doctor to see me. In fact, just this last monday, the doctor was ready for me 15 minutes before the appointment time. When living in Provo, my wife routinely would have to wait 30 to 90 minutes past the appointment time to see the doctor. Of course these are just anecdotes and don't paint the whole picture.
Karell BinghamJanuary 6, 2022
Such a great article! A real eye opener! Thank you so much, I love you both!
RobertJanuary 6, 2022
When discussing socialism/communism it is important to mention the deaths that are the result of the implementation of those systems of "government." Under Hitler's National Socialists in Germany/Hungary, etc, my father-in-law had his entire family murdered in the concentration camps. I knew a man who lost all his relatives in the Ukraine under the direction of Stalin. If in the United States, if we continue to permit our march towards socialism/communism, I think we will see similar results.
Iam Con CernedJanuary 6, 2022
This article seems so logical, but in fact, it isn't what people want to hear. Today, people want to hear how someone else (the government) should provide everything they thought they need FOR them: Health care? Should be a right, not something you buy. Opposing opinions? Should be regulated lest someone disagree. Gun ownership? Should only be in the hands of the police or military, not, heaven-forbid, my next-door neighbor. Morality and LGBTQ issues. Should be that no one judges anyone for we're all equal and there is no wrong. And the list goes on-and-on, seemingly so very logical and desirable on the outside, but fraught with difficulties as Brother Stoddard so aptly represents. I am concerned that in our rush to not be judgmental, we have forgotten that we must, --absolutely must-- judge and make judgments each and every day lest we fall for perverse and unethical scoundrels who are more than happy to lead the foolish and whomever else along.
John PearceJanuary 6, 2022
While I agree with the overall statements in this article I question how good the health system is in the USA The cost is enormous High cost, not highest quality. Despite spending far more on healthcare than other high-income nations, the US scores poorly on many key health measures, including life expectancy, preventable hospital admissions, suicide, and maternal mortality. And for all that expense, satisfaction with the current healthcare system is relatively low in the US. People can be bankrupted by the cost of health issues and many people order their medications from over countries because of the high cost here. My own daughter even though she was insured is still paying off for her surgery many years later.
Maria ClaytonJanuary 6, 2022
I have met many in the church who tell me that living in a communist country has its benefits… Sorry to burst their bubble but if you have never lived in a communist country you have no idea… The sacrifices each individual goes through everyday to survive for even a line to receive a loaf of bread… And much more Thank You for your article Hospitals that look so amazing is for those in the regime… But for the everyday people it is not… They only show the best when you are visiting but go to the real areas in different neighborhoods you will have a rude awakening… Our Parents left Cuba for The United States of America the Land of the Free!!! I still remember how we were treated when we were leaving Cuba My Parents were treated horribly they would throw rocks eggs etc. by the committee in our neighborhood, they had 6 of the Regime come to our home to take inventory because they tell you everything belongs to the Country as well 2 were waiting at the car 2 at the front of our home and 2 came in our home we had 2 luggage and when one of the guards saw the second he said only one luggage you are allowed to take they took my parents wedding rings and said that belongs to the country they took my doll and took it apart looking for jewelry which the doll was empty they did not care they took inventory of everything in our home then the drove us to the actual stairs of the Airplane (Freedom Flights 1970) I still remember the Pilot going around the Cuban Island and my Father reading in his broken English the Constitution of the United States of America The Land of the Free Never take Freedom for granted!!! This is Gods country Cherish it and do not allow no one to destroy it by any ideology…
Robert CowartJanuary 6, 2022
Thanks for the LIGHT. Great job.
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