Political Theory

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

McDuffie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:59:12 GMT

alimentarius:

liberty student:
Libertarianism is not synonymous with conspiracy theory.

Maybe not, but my impression is that most of you believe the world is run by bankers, that Obama is a puppet, that the Bilderberger Group are setting the agenda for the world, that mainstream media is a government propaganda machine, that 911 was an inside job etc.

From what I have seen on this forum, people who believe such things are shot down quickly and decisively, and/or ridiculed until they give up and leave.

In fact, the first time I ever encountered the word 'conspiritard', it was in a chat session with one of the moderators of this forum.

This thread is a good example of what I am talking about.

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

Caley McKibbin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:40:17 GMT

Is mainstream media closer to a government propaganda machine or a libertarian propaganda machine?

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

DanielMuff — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:26:50 GMT

alimentarius:

liberty student:
Libertarianism is not synonymous with conspiracy theory.

Maybe not, but my impression is that most of you believe the world is run by bankers, that Obama is a puppet, that the Bilderberger Group are setting the agenda for the world, that mainstream media is a government propaganda machine, that 911 was an inside job etc.

I can haz evidence?

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

Torsten — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:42:31 GMT

alimentarius:
Is it really a problem that people have health insurance?

Did anyone say here that he has? I think some may have a problem with mandatory insurance.

alimentarius:
...how come this libertarian guy is an anchor for ABC if the media is controlled by the nwo?

The "you-are-a-conspiracy-theorist" tag line is quite a joker argument. Hence it is completely useless. Why not deal with what the guy was actually saying ?!

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

Jon Irenicus — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:28:24 GMT

Nice series, but I think comparing health insurance to grocery insurance is a bit unfair. Is it really a problem that people have health insurance?

Unfair in what way?

Maybe not, but my impression is that most of you believe the world is run by bankers, that Obama is a puppet, that the Bilderberger Group are setting the agenda for the world, that mainstream media is a government propaganda machine, that 911 was an inside job etc.

Or perhaps we don't.

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

nirgrahamUK — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:42:34 GMT

alimentary my dear watson!

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

liberty student — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:40:14 GMT

alimentarius:
Maybe not, but my impression is that most of you believe the world is run by bankers

And how did you come to that conclusion?

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

ivanfoofoo — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:26:43 GMT

alimentarius:

liberty student:
Libertarianism is not synonymous with conspiracy theory.

Maybe not, but my impression is that most of you believe the world is run by bankers, that Obama is a puppet, that the Bilderberger Group are setting the agenda for the world etc.

I don't see anything conspiracious about the idea that the world is run by bankers and that Obama is a puppet for certain interest groups. Anyway, we don't believe that in a conspiracy way.

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

alimentarius — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:24:39 GMT

liberty student:
Libertarianism is not synonymous with conspiracy theory.

Maybe not, but my impression is that most of you believe the world is run by bankers, that Obama is a puppet, that the Bilderberger Group are setting the agenda for the world, that mainstream media is a government propaganda machine, that 911 was an inside job etc.

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

liberty student — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:18:22 GMT

alimentarius:
Btw, how come this libertarian guy is an anchor for ABC if the media is controlled by the nwo?

Libertarianism is not synonymous with conspiracy theory.

alimentarius:
Nice series, but I think comparing health insurance to grocery insurance is a bit unfair.

Why?

alimentarius:
Is it really a problem that people have health insurance?

What people in the US now have, are pre-payment plans and government subsidized care for the elderly, the needy and illegals (Medicare). Insurance is a scheme where risk is pooled. In the US, people don't pay based on risk, they pre-pay for care they know they will use. There is no element of uncertainty in such a scheme. You wouldn't insure your car against running out of gas, or needing new tires. Those are expected and predictable costs. Same thing with checkups, or pregnancy. Immunization and blood tests.

Notice how there is no prescription insurance? They are called prescription PLANS. It is understood that the plan gets you to pre-pay for medicine, within limits of use you are expected to meet over time. Likewise, except for accidents, and what is called major medical, that is sudden unpredictable onset of diabetes, or cancer, strokes and such, most medical care is expected and predictable.

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

alimentarius — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:40:26 GMT

Jon Irenicus:
Watch Stossel's video series on healthcare where he tears about the garbage spewed by the likes of Moore, who is very selective in his exposition of the "facts"...

Nice series, but I think comparing health insurance to grocery insurance is a bit unfair. Is it really a problem that people have health insurance?

Btw, how come this libertarian guy is an anchor for ABC if the media is controlled by the nwo?

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

Capital Pumper — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:35:18 GMT

alimentarius:

Have you seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88KmmR4d5Ig&feature=PlayList&p=599E0AFD939AE79E&index=0&playnext=1

This video is a great example of people making conclusions not only before engaging in research/inquiry, but also the very second after the subject is brought up.

Example of credulity and shallow analysis:

"I read somewhere that there are alot more cases of malpractice in America"

Yes, the legal framework there is in an entirely different ballpark than in Canada (possibly lack their own CMPA, not sure). John Edwards was able to sue doctors for birth defects in newborns with the use of junk science. Of course the unintended consequence of such a sue-happy framework is the squandering of resources.

Then there's the issue of medical board which this article covers quite nicely:

http://mises.org/story/3643

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

Jonathan M. F. Catalán — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:16:18 GMT

alimentarius:

Most countries in Europe have a systemm based on socialized health care. Is the standard of living decreasing in Europe?

Yes. European health care system costs have been increasing, forcing the government to increase tax rates. This will lead to the stifling of investment and economic stagnation. Economic growth rates in most of Western Europe, except countries which were subject to credit bubbles (Ireland and Spain—I am from the latter), was already near 1%. Below, ignore the "optimal size" (it is an arbitrary number):

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

alimentarius — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:43:52 GMT

Have you seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88KmmR4d5Ig&feature=PlayList&p=599E0AFD939AE79E&index=0&playnext=1

Re: On "What Soviet Medicine Teaches Us"

Capital Pumper — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:16:56 GMT

alimentarius:

What I've learnt at school is that the current crises of governance derive directly from the weakening of the nation-state. A weak state cannot protect its own
citizens; consequently, a weak state cannot rely on their loyalty. Thus, citizens vote for those who offer better personal conditions.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

I suggest watching this video; more specifically starting at the 12:00 mark.