If you are in an HMO it is certainly the case that choice is restricted. I can however see whomever I prefer. As far as my opening comment, I take umbrage with your statement that given the opportunity, you would force me into a program not of my own choosing. I usually won't get into these sorts of debates as opinions are seldom changed anyway. We will obviously have to agree to disagree on this point. But as a matter of principle I have had to object here. My belief is that a laissez-faire approach to the problem is better and that government intervention in the market is in large part responsible for the current mess we are in. Using statistics like per cent of GDP spent on health care are useful to some degree but , in my opinion, don't address the underlying problem. France may be ranked #1 in health care, but how much of their stagnant economy can be attributed to the level of socialization in that country? The claims of the wonderful programs elsewhere are also accompanied by stories of long waiting times and sub par service. Given governments' dismal track record on other vital programs such as the wars on poverty, drugs, etc I see little reason to believe that National Health insurance will be any better. Perhaps you might care to read some opposing viewpoints. http://www.mises.org/story/1133 http://www.mises.org/story/1588
I knew it!:eek: Bank Data Secretly Reviewed by U.S. to Fight Terror WASHINGTON, June 22 - Under a secret Bush administration program initiated weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, counterterrorism officials have gained access to financial records from a vast international database and examined banking transactions involving thousands of Americans and others in the United States, according to government and industry officials... http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/22/w...=6ea0fee64e216599&ex=1151640000&partner=MYWAY
It's obvious that the information will never be abused, especially if no one knows it is being collected.