WTF is up with my arm?

[DrewKaree]

I think his point is that Cuba's economic status is artificially imposed by US sanctions and limitations, and hence is not a valid model of comparison for us.

Well, then essentially, so is their health care.  It's not funded through bananas and cigars.  Well, I take that back.  I'm not so certain it isn't

[DrewKaree]

Either way, Cuba is not a useful comparison.  The cause of their economic problems is not part of a productive discussion on health care.

I look at Cuba's size (being the size of a handful of states in America) as another reason they're not part of a productive discussion. 

Essentially we'd be saying "Look at their system.  It works for their population, and it is certain to work for a country 100 times larger". 

That's why I say Japan would be an intriguing topic for me.

[shmokes]

I think size is a perfectly valid reason that Cuba might make a poor example and, frankly this applies to Japan as well.  The U.S. is geographically FAR FAR bigger than either of those countries which would probably affect some aspects of our infrastructure needs.  I just don't think it's constructive to scoff and point to Cuba saying, "Hah!  Look at their economic ruin.  Why would we want to copy anything they do," when neither healthcare, nor even communism is the cause of their poor economy. 

[DrewKaree]

What about just scoffing and pointing because it's fun? 

[sez]

Last week someone was telling me about "the stranger" method of self gratification.

You sit on your hand for a few minutes so you lose feeling in it, that way you can't feel yourself touching yourself.

I haven't tried it, but if your arm is constantly numb, you can write a review about this technique.

You forgot "also paint your nails red" 

[grantspain]

I prefer purple

[sez]

I prefer purple

Good on ya Grimace 

[grantspain]

Its a dirty job but someones gotta do it 

[AtomSmasher]

What about just scoffing and pointing because it's fun? 

Whenever I hear the word scoff it reminds of a deep thought by Jack Handy
"We tend to scoff at the beliefs of the ancients. But we can't scoff at them personally, to their faces, and this is what annoys me."

[krick]

Seriously, why should Cuba's economic status NOT be considered when speaking of health care?  Would YOU go to Cuba for health care?

No but I'd like to do some SCUBA diving there.  This whole thing with Cuba is retarded.  I don't get it, we do business with China.  They're about as Communist as you can get.

I think we're afraid of China.  They've got tons of natural resources, and billions of people.  I wouldn't want to piss them off.  Why do we tell Iran and North Korea that they can't have a nuclear program but not China?  It's because China can kick our ass and we know it.

[danny_galaga]

Common....you gotta cut Cuba a little slack on their economic problems.  I'm not one to advocate communism, but they're 90 miles off the U.S. coast yet cannot do business with us.  Upon my return to the U.S. I will be put in jail if I visit Cuba.  I cannot sell things to them or buy things from them as an American.  Tourism was/is a major part of their economy.....so were selling goods in the U.S.  Communism alone cannot be faulted for their economic woes.

If he's gonna hold up their medical care as something to aspire to, it's certainly valid to point out how their economic status may cause someone to laugh at the concept that it's worth emulating.

If they can't afford the items common in health care here in the U.S. then how can it be stated with any confidence that their system will work when the costs associated with the quality of care are factored in?

At least your Japan theory can be more closely compared and contemplated.  Cuba?  For cryin' out loud, my state's population is half the size of Cuba.  It's why folks can see definite problems with adopting a Canadian style of health care.  If they have those problems with a tenth of the U.S. population, we can clearly see there's a better than average chance the same problems will occur in the U.S. only on a grander scale - meaning EVEN BIGGER problems. 

Seriously, why should Cuba's economic status NOT be considered when speaking of health care?  Would YOU go to Cuba for health care?

i was being serious about cuba. if you are looking solely at a well functioning health-care system, cuba is a good example. they have a very good system. its become well known to outsiders too so that cuba has been earning some useful revenue from health-tourism- especially dentistry. i know that some europeans have found it much cheaper to book a package to cuba for a week or so, get their dental done, relax on the beach while recuperating and then come home than to just go to the dentist in their own country! so yes, quite a few people DO go to cuba rather than canada for health treatment!
obviously the service for tourists will be shinier than for cubans (ive actually been in a dentists in cuba, was nicer than hte dentist i was used to in australia) but cubans still get the expertise etc. the infant mortality rate in cuba is lower than the US for instance...

[DrewKaree]

Call me when their population cracks 15 million if you want to give me stats and say they're "better" at something.  Unless it's baseball players and their hitting statistics, I'm gonna hold off on saying a country not that much bigger than my STATE somehow is "better".

[danny_galaga]

Call me when their population cracks 15 million if you want to give me stats and say they're "better" at something.  Unless it's baseball players and their hitting statistics, I'm gonna hold off on saying a country not that much bigger than my STATE somehow is "better".

ok then, how does cuba compare to your STATES health system then?

[PCtech]

Last week someone was telling me about "the stranger" method of self gratification.

You sit on your hand for a few minutes so you lose feeling in it, that way you can't feel yourself touching yourself.

I haven't tried it, but if your arm is constantly numb, you can write a review about this technique.

Here is my handwritten review of this technique

[ChadTower]

No but I'd like to do some SCUBA diving there.  This whole thing with Cuba is retarded.  I don't get it, we do business with China.  They're about as Communist as you can get.

Erm, China isn't really all that Communist.  Not by the USSR/traditional definition.

And the thing with Cuba is not retarded, it's outdated.  Once upon a time there was a damn good reason we kept a business lid on Cuba. 

[DrewKaree]

ok then, how does cuba compare to your STATES health system then?

TERRIBLY.  Up until quite recently, we were one of the Socialist Party's staunchest supporters.  My taxes are through the roof to help pay for Johnny and Sally to recieve the best health care and dairy-aire my money can buy! 

You'll find my state to be one of the closer models to Cuba, if I'm not mistaken.  The only difference is our rat-faced leader would make all the weapons Castro loves illegal if he ran that place.

*edit*

Oh, and our economy is better too

[ChadTower]

Johnny and Sally probably already have health care.  It's Juan and Juanita that we're paying for with no returns.

[fredster]

Hey!

shmokes -

Upon my return to the U.S. I will be put in jail if I visit Cuba.

Man, I'll put in the first $100 for a ticket for Shmokes.

anybody with me?

[ChadTower]

Can't we just do what regular people do and plant some crack in his car and then get him pulled over?

[DrewKaree]

Chad, you're obviously overlooking the benefits of knowing a fellow forum member with a treb.  Load 'im up!

And no, I don't care if he makes it all the way

[GGKoul]

I wonder how Peale's arm is doing?

[shmokes]

I wonder how Peale's arm is doing?

Yeah well, if Peale supported Democrats maybe he wouldn't be in this mess!!!   

[ChadTower]

Peale lives in VT, he probably massages Democrats.   

[SirPeale]

I wonder how Peale's arm is doing?

Much better, thanks for asking.

[USSEnterprise]

really sounds like Carpal Tunnel

[DrewKaree]

Peale lives in VT, he probably massages Democrats.   

That would explain the problems with that arm

[ChadTower]

Only if it's his Left arm.