Politics

[WAB]

It’s amazing the pressure that government can put on companies. How did the COVID shot magically become free, or free covid tests shipped out for free or extremely cheap administered locally.
If a drug is truly a life changer why should it be so far out of reach of the every day person?
Given how much a lot of us on this forum pay in taxes and SS and Medicare and the list goes on, how is it these drugs are out of reach for so many people? If they are truly there to help people, then I believe RFK will make it accessible.

Well someone has to pay for the R&D. If there is no return on investment there will be no R&D in private companies. If public money pays for it, the development of new technologies will drown in a sea of bureaucracy.

 

[Tanks]

Exactly. This is always the misconception of my UK friends about the NHS.

'Free at the point of dispense' does not mean free...

In some respects, for a lot of the public, it is free in that it is income redistribution. Take from those that pay a lot of taxes to those that pay little or none.

 

[Boyd Brooks]

 

[Alistair]

In some respects, for a lot of the public, it is free in that it is income redistribution. Take from those that pay a lot of taxes to those that pay little or none.

Yeah, that's true in that it's a social program, so it benefits the poor and screws the rich. Same as any other tax, really.

I'd point out that the UK has rather high 'point of sale' taxes compared to the US though, a lot of which also ends up in the NHS. A 20% sales tax, and a 100% tax on gasoline and diesel as an example, so even for those below the income tax threshold it's a big cost.

Going back to the income tax implications, it accounts for about 30% of total tax take, so call it 10-15% of gross income for anyone earning above GBP25k or so... Basically the main driver for the disparity between US tax rates and UK ones, which is not insignificant.

Plus of course, the service is pretty awful and it's such a sacred cow politically that it's impossible to do anything to improve it or make it more efficient.

Personally I do not miss it one bit and I attribute it as a major driver for the lower cost of living in the US. Even when you do consider the cost of health insurance over here. I guess if I was earning $30k/annum over here my opinions would be different of course.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Well someone has to pay for the R&D. If there is no return on investment there will be no R&D in private companies. If public money pays for it, the development of new technologies will drown in a sea of bureaucracy.

Very true. Except in China where they have no R&D because the CCP has stolen every technologically advanced everything from other countries AND the CCP subsidizes MOST of their private company products like pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum and mining of precious metals. Really for another thread but I had to post when my feeble brain thought of it. LOL

 

[wesheltonj]

Merry Christmas.

If the USA were to put a base in Finland anywhere near Helsinki, where does a 64 year old sign up?

 

[CoElkHunter]

In some respects, for a lot of the public, it is free in that it is income redistribution. Take from those that pay a lot of taxes to those that pay little or none.

Well, it's income redistribution for those in this country able bodied that refuse to WORK full or even part time or at all and the rest of us working paying for their government "assistance". I'm not opposed to assistance for those who can't work due to mental or physical impairments or assistance to those working two or three jobs to make ends meet, but this "free is for me" for the rest isn't sustainable.

 

[VertigoBE]

I’m enjoying some heated Christmas political discussions with the family! Having some Nelson Rhum to go

Topics tonight are US politics, Trump, FR presidents, Musk, China, Russia, transgenders, liberty of speech,…

 

[CoElkHunter]

I’m enjoying some heated Christmas political discussions with the family! Having some Nelson Rhum to go

Topics tonight are US politics, Trump, FR presidents, Musk, China, Russia, transgenders, liberty of speech,…

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen Bundy Rhum (Rum)? LOL

 

[VertigoBE]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen Bundy Rhum (Rum)? LOL

No!!!! Martinique Rhum, some proper stuff

 

[wesheltonj]

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No!!!! Martinique Rhum, some proper stuff

Absolutely, it seems only the French are still making rum with Cane sugar and not molasses.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen Bundy Rhum (Rum)? LOL

@CoElkHunter
Keep up the good work mate
Bundy rum gives you insight and wisdom when consumed in moderation
Problem with rum is the more you drink the dumber you get. I know this from experience.
You become invincible until the next morning when the brain catches up with the pain.
Bob

 

[PARA45]

Absolutely, it seems only the French are still making rum with Cane sugar and not molasses.

I believe Flor de Caña is made out of Cane sugar.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I believe Flor de Caña is made out of Cane sugar.

C&H sugar cane. Canada and Hawaii? Maybe the cane sugar is grown in Southern Saskatchewan? LOL

 

[PARA45]

C&H sugar cane. Canada and Hawaii? Maybe the cane sugar is grown in Southern Saskatchewan? LOL

Cane is farmed in Nicaragua.

 

[Boyd Brooks]

Made with sugar cane, yum yum!

Not for egg nog!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

C&H sugar cane. Canada and Hawaii? Maybe the cane sugar is grown in Southern Saskatchewan? LOL

California and Hawaii.

 

[wesheltonj]

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I believe Flor de Caña is made out of Cane sugar.

Nope, molasses.