CAN/UK
June 13th, 2009, 11:47 am
As a Canadian (born in the UK in 1930) I am like most Canadadians quite well informed about the USA. The main reason is Cable TV. At least 75% of us get all 3 networks plus Fox and CNN.
I personally am retired and spend 2 months of the winter in the southern US ( for the last 6 years San Diego). Over the last 46 years that Iv'e lived in Ottawa ( the capital of Canada) most years we have vacationed in the US.
This I believe gives me a unique perspective on both of our countries. In many ways we are very much alike and believe strongly in our respective countries.
Some of the topics on these forums are informative but many also show that Americans are poorly informed when it comes to the lives of people in other countries.
A recent topic on health care was an example of how the American public so out of touch with the health care that all other countries in the G8 group enjoy.
Canadians are not flocking south to obtain basic health care, no more than Americans are flying to India in their thousands for hip, knee and heart transplants.
Our health service in Ontario is funded through Federal/Provincial Income Tax. Very similar to the way Americans pay for Police, Fire and Military. These also are esential services and should not be in the hands of for profit private organizations.
Our total Income tax for 2008 was $1250, roughly 3% of our gross income. Over the years since Universal Health Care was introduced in 1968 I have never been faced with either delays in treatment or payed for any hospital/surgery/GP or Specialists.
On my last 2 month vacation in San Diego my wife and I payed just over $1000 for health insurance. Fortunately we didn't require any treatment, but like many visiting Canadians we were prepared to fly home ( if medically possible) for potentially costly medical treatment that might not be covered by the Insurance.
Don't tell me how good the US health system is and how poor the Canadian is, I am living through both and know that what we have in Canada is far superior and NO Canadian goes without basic health care, unlike the 40 million Americans without Insurance.
I personally am retired and spend 2 months of the winter in the southern US ( for the last 6 years San Diego). Over the last 46 years that Iv'e lived in Ottawa ( the capital of Canada) most years we have vacationed in the US.
This I believe gives me a unique perspective on both of our countries. In many ways we are very much alike and believe strongly in our respective countries.
Some of the topics on these forums are informative but many also show that Americans are poorly informed when it comes to the lives of people in other countries.
A recent topic on health care was an example of how the American public so out of touch with the health care that all other countries in the G8 group enjoy.
Canadians are not flocking south to obtain basic health care, no more than Americans are flying to India in their thousands for hip, knee and heart transplants.
Our health service in Ontario is funded through Federal/Provincial Income Tax. Very similar to the way Americans pay for Police, Fire and Military. These also are esential services and should not be in the hands of for profit private organizations.
Our total Income tax for 2008 was $1250, roughly 3% of our gross income. Over the years since Universal Health Care was introduced in 1968 I have never been faced with either delays in treatment or payed for any hospital/surgery/GP or Specialists.
On my last 2 month vacation in San Diego my wife and I payed just over $1000 for health insurance. Fortunately we didn't require any treatment, but like many visiting Canadians we were prepared to fly home ( if medically possible) for potentially costly medical treatment that might not be covered by the Insurance.
Don't tell me how good the US health system is and how poor the Canadian is, I am living through both and know that what we have in Canada is far superior and NO Canadian goes without basic health care, unlike the 40 million Americans without Insurance.