Health care again!

[Rob Tucker]

I know it's an important topic but before we all wander off into national debates I want to remind you all to keep it Hawaii.

It's not that difficult.

Punaweb moderator

[Carey]

One of the main problems with health care on island is one that many rural agricultural areas (Hey, that IS where we are here) in the US are experiencing... population spread out over a large area, not enough physicians to support the populations needs, not enough population to support specialists in many fields...

Add to this that up until a couple of decades ago, many in the population relied on company (Sugar, mainly) healthcare.... and you begin to see the problems...

Is it any worse than rural Wyoming, the Dakotas, Alaska, & rural west Texas? probably much better (we do have 5 hospitals, no matter how you rate them, they are there....) Is it the same as any urban area? no.... but this really is not an urban area.... at most, Hilo is suburban, most of the island is rural agricultural.

Our country does have one of the largest tax payer supported health care systems anywhere, and I have yet to hear ANY government worker (inc. senators, congressmen, presidents) complain about their care, in fact most elected officials like it soo much that they keep it after serving their terms ;~)

[DrJ]

I think there is a big need for change, I just don't think we should be quick to jump into a completely ran government program. Just like a lot of public schools, it could go downhill fast and then people would be switching back to private care if they could afford it. Maybe something in between what we have and UHC would work?

[Kelena]

Public schools, including and perhaps especially those in Hawaii, are declining because we are starving them for revenue, and siphoning off funds for home schooling and privitization.

The Governement is Us. It is that simple. We have been told that Government is the problem. We were told that by corporate shills who do not want the people getting in the way of their profits. This administration has proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, that if you destroy government and allow corporations to do what they want unfettered by any regulation, the result will be economic ruin and economic injustice.

The Government -- us-- is the solution, not the problem, provided that we are diligent and insist on good government.

That is what Hawaii is lacking. There really is no government except as it pertains to civil defense.

[Punamom]

"Public schools, including and perhaps especially those in Hawaii, are declining because we are starving them for revenue, and siphoning off funds for home schooling and privitization."

Care to expound on this?