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
- 1547 Views
My vote put him over the top!!!!
*NM*
20/01/2010 02:22:50 AM
- 453 Views




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

*dances with you*
20/01/2010 02:24:17 AM
- 785 Views
Don't jinx it
20/01/2010 02:27:25 AM
- 885 Views
It's a win-win situation as far as I'm concerned.
20/01/2010 02:33:16 AM
- 810 Views
i predict that political predictions are not always so cut and dried
21/01/2010 01:50:23 AM
- 843 Views
Actually, there is a chance they can use reconiliation to pass it. I hope not.
20/01/2010 02:46:47 AM
- 908 Views
If they did that, they'd be signing their own resignations.
20/01/2010 02:54:56 AM
- 816 Views
Probably so but Pelosi did bring it up a few weeks ago.
20/01/2010 04:05:17 AM
- 811 Views
If this isn't a wake up call to the democratic party...
20/01/2010 03:39:36 AM
- 817 Views
I guess it depends on the wake up call's message.
20/01/2010 03:45:38 AM
- 812 Views
The Democrats have the arrogance to say "people don't understand the Health Care Bill".
20/01/2010 03:57:17 AM
- 849 Views
I'm in no mood to celebrate
20/01/2010 04:34:42 AM
- 938 Views
Re: I'm in no mood to celebrate
20/01/2010 04:52:16 AM
- 815 Views
Do you honestly think this bill would help you?
20/01/2010 02:21:02 PM
- 808 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
- 955 Views

I don't understand this
20/01/2010 09:07:09 AM
- 1119 Views
That would be so massive a reform that it would never ever pass.
20/01/2010 12:47:23 PM
- 865 Views
There are a lot of reasons
20/01/2010 02:13:58 PM
- 832 Views
Groaning under illegal immigrants?
20/01/2010 03:38:23 PM
- 920 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
- 835 Views
Re: There are a lot of reasons
20/01/2010 11:00:11 PM
- 1054 Views
I think your misunderstanding comes from one concept you mention.
20/01/2010 04:57:27 PM
- 902 Views
I do hope this doesn't turn Obama into a lame duck. *NM*
20/01/2010 02:07:34 PM
- 441 Views
Frankly, I hope it does. *NM*
20/01/2010 02:15:11 PM
- 413 Views
And then what will happen after that?
20/01/2010 10:35:46 PM
- 970 Views
It would mean, effectively, that Congress controls the domestic agenda and Hillary foreign affairs.
20/01/2010 10:52:24 PM
- 653 Views
And condemn more people to untimely deaths?
20/01/2010 02:33:08 PM
- 827 Views
Pity, that there is no government sanctioned murder of the stupid.
20/01/2010 02:52:52 PM
- 744 Views
Democrats want the terrorists to win, and enjoy killing babies.
20/01/2010 02:59:35 PM
- 790 Views
Democrats don't just enjoy killing babies. They're not monsters.
20/01/2010 07:46:59 PM
- 812 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
- 490 Views
Well, the more elderly that die, the better chance Social Security will be saved.
*NM*
20/01/2010 07:44:57 PM
- 420 Views

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