2008 Bush's Health Care Plan?

Opinion
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

Does the US envy our Health Care System?
Perhaps, but the US is mistaken when they believe our Health Care is Free. Nothing is Free, our Taxes pay for Health Care.
US Elections platform have Democrats wanting to fix the US Health Care system, perhaps Canada's Health System, though not perfect may be model the US can fine tune for it's citizens.
Though HMO's and other Medical Providers get billions from US Health Care plans and are safely ensconced in Politicans pockets.
Somehow I thinnk very few policitans will go against these Medical corporates and doubt any workable bill will pass the Senate. Though a workable system like Canada's could work if established on a state level in the richer states who can afford it.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — If you want to know what Americans think, try being a Canadian voice on their radio dial.

In search of election fever, I am sitting in the downtown studio at 590 WVLK, Lexington's most tuned in talk radio station — but the disembodied voices coming through my worn headphones want to know more about Canada's "free health care" system than rattle on about their own presidential election.

It's the first hour of Sue Wylie's morning show, and I'm live with the voices of America.

The hall leading in here is lined with 50 years of aging photos, dating back to when they first broadcast home-grown Bluegrass talent, went live from natural disasters and chased down crooked politicians. Back when AM was king.

The large, off-yellow microphone an inch from my nose smells faintly of coffee. Rules for an emergency broadcast are tacked to a soundproof wall. In a steady line of bright, blinking lights, callers crowd the phone bank, as others tap in e-mails, trying to add their two cents worth.

Nothing stirs the pot like American talk radio.

"He's come a long way to listen to you," Wylie prompts.

So has she. Her first gig was back in the 1950s — doing voices for The Storm, a Rod Sterling radio suspense show. She'd later become the first woman to do hard news stories in Miami's television news markets. She's also a democrat, speaking daily to a republican radio base.

Leaving the studio, I'll be stopped by a woman who will tell me she knows of Americans who plan to move to Canada if Hillary Clinton wins.

On this morning, only the last two callers will try to promote the virtues of Ms. Clinton, whose lead on contender, Barack Obama, is shrinking. It doesn't matter —no one seems to be getting what they want in this race.

"I haven't made up my mind on Bahama, or whatever his name is," says Jim, a caller who's joined a loud chorus who believe Republican John McCain is a liberal in wolf's clothing.

"I will hold my nose and vote for Senator McCain," 'Frank' chimes in.

Outside of the studio, during a break, Wylie reasons: "There is a sense of distaste that whoever is elected, there won't be much change."

I'm on — bookmarked by quick-talking and deep-voiced traffic and weather reports — for an hour. The last part of her show will be the popular "what ticks you" off segment.

What is perhaps ticking Wylie off is her listeners crowding in to ask about the wonders and worries of universal health care, rather than today's focus on the race to the White House.

But the two topics, for many Americans — especially those who can't afford coverage and those who don't believe it's a cure-all — are attached at a sore-hip.

"How much in taxes do individuals pay for universal health care in Canada?" 'Steve' wonders.

Others rave about Canada's natural beauty.

But at least one caller wants to know the Canadian government's position on protecting the U.S. border, to which I ask whether there's a fear Canucks are illegally streaming south.

No, I'm told by the engaged callers, keeping Canadians out is not a political issue. Though for one e-mailer named 'Storm', their northern cousins are nothing to salute at.

"Excuse me, but y'all did not support us in the war against terror," she writes in, before explaining why Obama is a Manchurian Candidate — an evil, mind-controlled plant.

"Because he is not sincerely a Christian," she vents.

Wylie will not let the diatribe catch the open air. Instead, I talk to reasonable, concerned people. Voters who have little faith in the current roster of presidential candidates and who look north, and wonder if things might be better there.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/02/02/4809454-sun.html