In the late 1970's-early-eighties I was enjoying a fine beer in a Toronto bar and remarking to the young barmaid what a wonderful city Toronto is. "Oh," she says, "Crime has gone way up. We had a murder last year!" True story folks, I'm not making this up.
My grandmother needed a knee replacement in Canada. waited 3 years to get the surgery and after three years of trying to walk with one good knee, her second knee gave out. She was in a wheelchair for the last 15 years of her life. At least she didnt have to pay for it (except she did). There is no free lunch even when that lunch is a turd sandwich. -burn8
My mom (eight years ago?) had a 1 year wait list in BC, snuck down to Lethbridge Alberta and got it done in about 3 months. 6 months later she was back in Lethbridge for the other one in spite of being told that that was not allowed in our system. Meanwhile BC unions continue to cite our poor track record health care system in Alberta. I don't know if this is typical but in site of continual media horror stories, the people I actually know here (likely thousands) continue to get in for whatever they need. After being put on a 2 year wait list for colonoscopy myself ( Yeah!), I decided to pay 750 and got a virtual one done (with great pictures to show at parties!) in one week at my convenience. The MRI cost is deductible. If you need proof I can post some pictures of the inside stardust story! (Just kidding.) Americans and Canadians are more alike than different I think. It astounds me that the worst Canadian union propaganda is taken verbatim by the slickest health insurance salesman in the US. There are problems with both obviously, but it is odd that intelligent people think that one or other is the worst system in the world. How is that honestly possible in two leading world economies? Talking your book are you?
Yup those were the good ole days! Now it's ~3/100K. Though some to go yet to catch New Orleans @ 60/100K. here's the last six days worth: http://www.crimemapping.com/map/la/neworleans
As a trader or a moderator let alone a person...I find this rather offensive and the smiley face does not help. ES