I should point out to commenters here that nowhere have I mentioned who supplies the services and protections we receive. Nor have I endorsed specific services and protections other than health care. The fact that most of you who disagree with me keep pointing to the government and universal health care suggests less than an open mind. I suggest you re-read the post and you will see what I mean.

My point again is that health care INSURANCE for everyone is necessary in the same way car insurance for everyone is necessary. How you fund that insurance scheme is another question that I m NOT addressing here.

So, fresnodan, I have to disagree. It is not access to health care that concerns me here but insurance i.e. the protection against catastrophic financial loss both preventive and after the fact. Remember, the two big ticket material items most individuals own – cars and houses – are insured against catastrophic loss. Our health, our person needs similar insurance as healthcare is one of the largest expenses in anyone's budget and a catastrophic loss is a major cause of bankruptcy.

As to the U.S. system, I have to agree with Joel's sentiments here. I have had the opportunity to be a part of health care systems in other countries. My daughter was born on the NHS healthcare system even though at the time I had private insurance as well. And contrary to what people will tell you, the U.S. system is not undeniably better than others.

In fact, my experiences in the U.S. have been negative: which doctor can I see, how much will you cover, does insurance cover this medicine? These ridiculous questions are ones I never had to answer in other countries. I had been able to go to any doctor who could prescribe any procedure or medicine.

You may not know this but Americans pay more for drugs than Europeans, such that we are generally either subsidizing their drug purchases or helping the drug companies make more money – take your pick.

A few years ago I emigrated from Australia. My wife has duel citizenship, giving us the option of settling in Canada or the U.S. In the end, the decision came down to health care. We couldn't justify raising kids in a country where those with the greatest need are treated so poorly. People would say, “But you have a job, you're family would be covered”. However, the current recession shows how quickly you job, and the associated health coverage can be lost. Heaven forbid that if at a time of such need, you should also be cursed with health issues.

That is all I am saying.

Education has only gotten dramatically more expensive as public programs expanded (http://www.amsa.com/policy/resources/stats.cfm) and social security is bankrupt. You really want to justify socialized medicine by pointing to the Ponzi scheme of social security? Looking at these programs, you cannot come to the conclusion that their growth trends are sustainable.

Medicine will be more expensive and the care will be rationed. It will not be the utopia people are looking for.