[CPF0000] RE: A Modern Fairy Tale

[qsrvbas@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Tom Liotta)]

cpf0000-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

>   1. Re: A Modern Fairy Tale (Tom Jedrzejewicz @ San Pedro)
>
>The original posting/discussion was about Wal-mart, and the various issues 
>related to the effective lowering of wages that happens when a Wal-mart store 
>replaces a couple of other stores.  I asked about self-relaince because of the 
>common theme in the article . . . "who is going to pay for the health care?"
>
>I think that we should remove the employment/health-care linkage in American 
>society.  My preference is for a primarily private system, regulated for 
>fairness and to protect consumers.  But at this point, I would prefer a 
>single-payer to the current craziness, provided it isn't funded with increases 
>in the payroll tax.


For me, a big problem comes from the disconnect between the high cost of care 
and the payment of research funding. The wealthy have no problem with insurance 
nor even direct payment for medical care. This can be regardless of possible 
tax breaks that might reduce tax liability to practically nothing compared to 
income.

But major research through both university centers and separate government 
funded projects often lead to medical breakthroughs or treatment improvements. 
The simple use of the Internet, developed with government backing, is a simple 
example. Both military and space research have contributed greatly in the form 
of equipment if nothing else. Pharmaceuticals research is often privately 
funded, but relies on basic research and equipment that came about through 
public funds.

The poor might be taxed significantly, compared to income or minimum living 
standards. Yet they are less served by high-priced treatment and less able to 
maintain insurance.

As long as taxes support research, there needs to be a way to provide public 
benefits.

Tom Liotta


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