First and foremost, government control of anything is viewed with extreme suspicion in the United States. Government control can (and, in the United States, usually does) lead to attempts by the government to regulate peoples' lives.
You mean like, umm let's see...
The roads, the sewers, all utilities, the education system, the military, the police etc. etc. etc.
There are a great many things that Americans accept as government controlled simply because they are used to it. All of those things could be described as 'socialized' in either a direct or an indirect fashion. All of them function under government mandate, government regulations and often with government grants and support (hidden or no).
As to the comment about 'government fiat' you know - I think I'd rather have government fiat than 'Board of Directors fiat' or, more likely 'Some yutz of a middle manager fiat'.
At least the government is, in theory and in some fashion even if badly, answerable to the people. I wouldn't trust a modern insurance company with my life as far as I could throw their overpriced headquarters buildings.
However, that said, you're a very very smart guy and I generally agree with you more than I don't. How would you reform the Health care system? If you had Tom fiat and could do whatever you wanted.
May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk.
Old Egyptian Blessing
Old Egyptian Blessing
BROWN WINS! Let's celebrate the end of ObamaCare!!!
20/01/2010 02:20:22 AM
- 1641 Views
My vote put him over the top!!!!
*NM*
20/01/2010 02:22:50 AM
- 529 Views




Wait...you only voted once?
20/01/2010 02:24:42 AM
- 862 Views

*dances with you*
20/01/2010 02:24:17 AM
- 874 Views
Don't jinx it
20/01/2010 02:27:25 AM
- 981 Views
It's a win-win situation as far as I'm concerned.
20/01/2010 02:33:16 AM
- 904 Views
i predict that political predictions are not always so cut and dried
21/01/2010 01:50:23 AM
- 934 Views
Actually, there is a chance they can use reconiliation to pass it. I hope not.
20/01/2010 02:46:47 AM
- 1004 Views
If they did that, they'd be signing their own resignations.
20/01/2010 02:54:56 AM
- 910 Views
Probably so but Pelosi did bring it up a few weeks ago.
20/01/2010 04:05:17 AM
- 904 Views
If this isn't a wake up call to the democratic party...
20/01/2010 03:39:36 AM
- 911 Views
I guess it depends on the wake up call's message.
20/01/2010 03:45:38 AM
- 904 Views
The Democrats have the arrogance to say "people don't understand the Health Care Bill".
20/01/2010 03:57:17 AM
- 946 Views
I'm in no mood to celebrate
20/01/2010 04:34:42 AM
- 1030 Views
Re: I'm in no mood to celebrate
20/01/2010 04:52:16 AM
- 912 Views
Do you honestly think this bill would help you?
20/01/2010 02:21:02 PM
- 901 Views
I believe I vented that the bill was crap, but that the alternative was crap as well
20/01/2010 11:16:56 PM
- 1044 Views

I don't understand this
20/01/2010 09:07:09 AM
- 1341 Views
That would be so massive a reform that it would never ever pass.
20/01/2010 12:47:23 PM
- 960 Views
There are a lot of reasons
20/01/2010 02:13:58 PM
- 929 Views
Groaning under illegal immigrants?
20/01/2010 03:38:23 PM
- 1016 Views
Right...you just go back to what you know, though I'm not sure anyone has determined what that is.
20/01/2010 03:49:22 PM
- 932 Views
Re: There are a lot of reasons
20/01/2010 11:00:11 PM
- 1152 Views
I think your misunderstanding comes from one concept you mention.
20/01/2010 04:57:27 PM
- 988 Views
I do hope this doesn't turn Obama into a lame duck. *NM*
20/01/2010 02:07:34 PM
- 519 Views
Frankly, I hope it does. *NM*
20/01/2010 02:15:11 PM
- 491 Views
And then what will happen after that?
20/01/2010 10:35:46 PM
- 1096 Views
It would mean, effectively, that Congress controls the domestic agenda and Hillary foreign affairs.
20/01/2010 10:52:24 PM
- 745 Views
And condemn more people to untimely deaths?
20/01/2010 02:33:08 PM
- 921 Views
Pity, that there is no government sanctioned murder of the stupid.
20/01/2010 02:52:52 PM
- 837 Views
Democrats want the terrorists to win, and enjoy killing babies.
20/01/2010 02:59:35 PM
- 878 Views
Democrats don't just enjoy killing babies. They're not monsters.
20/01/2010 07:46:59 PM
- 906 Views
As a matter of fact, some babies are put back into the womb, just so they can be aborted again. *NM*
22/01/2010 05:10:35 AM
- 567 Views
Well, the more elderly that die, the better chance Social Security will be saved.
*NM*
20/01/2010 07:44:57 PM
- 497 Views

I thought it was time for another such celebration...
20/01/2010 03:35:28 PM
- 946 Views
True, but it is now finally DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
21/01/2010 01:08:12 AM
- 943 Views