Medical Supply

Bruce asked:


Whether by a “single-payer” socialized medicine system or by government-subsidized “insurance” that deeply undercuts private rates, effectively driving out private insurers, Democratic schemes promise a government monopoly on medical care. Would we be better off under a government-enforced monopoly funded by high taxes or under a competitive free market where companies vie to supply better medical care and insurance at cheaper prices?

Some considerations:
1. How successful has government been in running other monopolies, e.g., the postal service or public schools?
2. In general, do monopolies (e.g., cable companies) supply goods and services better than competitive markets?
3. Today, it may cost a billion dollars to research, develop, and market a medicine. Who takes the risk to develop expensive new medicines and medical technology under government monopoly?

Bruce asked:


Whether by a “single-payer” socialized medicine system or by government-subsidized “insurance” that deeply undercuts private rates, effectively driving out private insurers, Democratic schemes promise a government monopoly on medical care. Would we be better off under a government-enforced monopoly funded by high taxes or under a competitive free market where companies vie to supply better medical care and insurance at cheaper prices?

Some considerations:
1. How successful has government been in running other monopolies, e.g., the postal service or public schools?
2. In general, do monopolies (e.g., cable companies) supply goods and services better than competitive markets?
3. Today, it may cost a billion dollars to research, develop, and market a medicine. Who takes the risk to develop expensive new medicines and medical technology under government monopoly?

Desiree asked:


Or assist their elderly

Antonio R asked:


Before Fidel Castro cuba was being run by the Mafia mostly from Italy and America the leader at that time made millions of the Mafia and its casinos ,the cubans where left with little work and few options FIdel took over ,sure socialism has hurt alot of people and the country is poor but denying other countries to sale medical supplies and cars to cuba makes us look very bad.Are we wrong for allowing this to continue have we become the bullies and terrorist?

Hello asked:


I AM respectful that NATO commits VAST amounts of troops to the war on terror in AFGHANISTAN… and that some country’s committments are in placing thier troops in less-threatening situations, but, they are STILL THERE contributing to the job at hand.

A Factory needs many workers on the line before the final product comes off it.

Is there a website where I could possibly gather an audit of the CIVILAIN food aid, medical supplies and vital shelter that’s contributed by EACH NATO Member group, because it seems to me, that the only people getting credit for giving food aid and vital supplies is the USA, UK and well known Charities, although I know other countries send food and other emergency aid.

It is THIS information I am searching for in my research..

john_d_ayer asked:


I was just listening to Pat Robertson on You Tube. Terrorists do take advantage of political changes, 1993 (Clinton), 2001 (Bush), 2007 (New Congress?). Not a big leap to think of a terrorist attack in 2007. Kind of an anti-climax announcement.

But it did get me thinking, how many people actually prepare for a possible disaster by having a few days of food around, flash lights, medical supplies, that kind of thing. The normal Red Cross Be Prepared kind of thing.

All the “Oh my God the world is going to be destroyed by…” Nuclear war, global warming, terrorists, hurricanes, tornadoes, infestations of caterpillars, etc can leave this one alone.

I just want to know how many reasonably normal people have checked out ready.gov and have some emergency supplies around in case of a disaster.
Thanks. The ratio of real answers to silly answers tells me a lot too. Looks like if there was a major disaster any major urban center in the country things would end up a lot like they were in Louisiana. On the other hand, it kind of looks like people in rural or suburban areas might be better prepared. Kind of a common sense thing I would guess. some kind of ratio of storage space versus costs versus convince and availability, I would assume.

Thanks.