More on the Class Divide

[liz_marcs]

During a meeting at work today there was an actual conversation about awful "ObamaCare" is and how the "less deserving" was going to take advantage of it.

Me: *biting my tongue so hard that I could taste blood*

One of the participants actually said, "Worst of all, how are we supposed to pay for healthcare for people who contribute nothing to society?"

Me, unable to take it any more: "A friend of mine died from sepsis poisoning that was diagnosed far too late because he didn't have health insurance, which meant he had no healthcare either."

Result: Stunned silence that lasted all of a minute.

Me thinking during the moment of silence: I hope every single one of you feel shame.

And then they started talking about hockey.

Me thinking during the hockey discussion: I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry.

Jesus. Fucking. Christ.

What is wrong with people?

Comments

[foxfirefey]

AAAAARGH

trufax: all the people handing YOUR PRIVILEGED ASS your sandwich over the fast food counter, or your consumer goods over the counter at Walmart, contribute to society and yet cannot afford health care,

AAAAAAARG

A minute is a pretty impressive silence for them, and at least you got them to shut up about the topic

[medie]

...is it entirely possible that you work for Wolfram & Hart?

(aka, OMG I am fuming right now just reading that. Assholes. Epic assholes.)

[twistedchick]

Back when I was a journalist in a small city, years ago, I noticed that the people who did not see the effect of their policies on poor people were ones who never got out of their cars. They didn't take the bus. (There was no subway.) They did not walk to work, or to the store, or to the movie theatre. The difference was glaring to those of us who did walk, who took buses, who lived in small walk-up flats built decades earlier because we couldn't afford better, more modern apartments. What I heard from the people who only traveled in cars was this: these are people I don't know, so what happens to them doesn't matter.

When they know, when it is brought home to them that the people affected are real people, real human beings, grown-ups and children and teen-agers who are suffering...

most often they have nothing to say.

[elistaire]

People are evil. Yah?

[soundingsea]

The "contribute nothing" line goes along with the 47% nonsense. You know who pays no taxes? Active-duty military. Retirees on a fixed income. People so far below the poverty line they can barely see it. Ugh.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Our system is so screwed up.

[starshadow_rivaulx]

I...oh dear heavens, what is WRONG with them?

In my country, our health care system is far from perfect, but I have yet to hear anyone say our poor would work it to their advantage. Even if folks don't have health insurance, they will get health care, just the most basic treatments - and we have public service programs that help folk find money for medicines and consults and stuff.

We're more likely to pray that our politicians don't divert increased taxation revenue into their own pockets instead of expanding the budget for public health care.

[zellieh]

First, my condolences for your loss.

Second, keep slapping your workmates in the face with their privilege. They're wrong, you're right -- don't let the bastards grind you down.

Third, I wish the current UK government would read posts like this and stop trying to bring more privatisation into our NHS. It really really really doesn't work, and justs diverts money into admin costs, CEOs salaries, and profits.

Fourth, this is why I am never leaving the UK. Whatever else we get wrong, we have the NHS, and you simply cannot put a price on free* healthcare, cradle to grave.

*Paid for out of taxes, obviously, but after you've paid your tax & national insurance out of your pay packet, you have no further fees for doctors or hospital visits, and prescriptions are subsidised.

[lee_rowan]

Selfishness and stupidity.