2 ms·

You only responded to 50% of my argument though. Canada is a good mix if you ask me. 40 hour weeks are the norm, small business is encouraged, but the understa

You only responded to 50% of my argument though. Canada is a good mix if you ask me. 40 hour weeks are the norm, small business is encouraged, but the understanding that people have lives and are not beholden to their employer has an overall positive impact on society as a whole. Granted, I've never tried to operate a business in the US, so maybe I just don't know what I'm missing, but I'm certainly greatful that my son spent the first year of his life exclusively with mom.

goofygrin 19y ago
Canada's great and all eh (sorry couldn't help it :), but there's a reason that what, 60%+ of the population lives within 20 miles of the US border. But from what I know, the canadian system seems more likely to be what the US could transition to than, say the UK system. FWIW, my understanding is that Canada's system is that the government acts like an insurance company, so rather than all medical facilities being government facilities, they are private and they simply bill the government. In the UK, all facilities are government run, so there is no billing at all [well I'm sure there is behind the scenes].
- run4yourlives 19y ago
  60% of Canada's population doesn't live within 20 miles of the border. 500 miles maybe. :) The reason for this is though mainly lies in the weather, and really has nothing to do with anything else. Hell, not many people live in North Dakota either! Basically, you're correct in your interpretation of how our Health Insurance works. There are caveats (no deductibles, bans on what a private clinic can do, caps on doctor earnings) but generally the system is a good compromise.
  - goofygrin 19y ago
    According to Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada, 75% of the population lives within 90 miles. So I was off a bit :). You're likely right about the reason though! (climate)

goofygrin 19y ago

Canada's great and all eh (sorry couldn't help it :), but there's a reason that what, 60%+ of the population lives within 20 miles of the US border. But from what I know, the canadian system seems more likely to be what the US could transition to than, say the UK system. FWIW, my understanding is that Canada's system is that the government acts like an insurance company, so rather than all medical facilities being government facilities, they are private and they simply bill the government. In the UK, all facilities are government run, so there is no billing at all [well I'm sure there is behind the scenes].

run4yourlives 19y ago
60% of Canada's population doesn't live within 20 miles of the border. 500 miles maybe. :) The reason for this is though mainly lies in the weather, and really has nothing to do with anything else. Hell, not many people live in North Dakota either! Basically, you're correct in your interpretation of how our Health Insurance works. There are caveats (no deductibles, bans on what a private clinic can do, caps on doctor earnings) but generally the system is a good compromise.
- goofygrin 19y ago
  According to Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada, 75% of the population lives within 90 miles. So I was off a bit :). You're likely right about the reason though! (climate)