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Original poster

Anyone watching Panorama?

50 replies

ArielNonBio · 13/02/2012 20:46

Is anyone watching this about poverty in the USA? These children are very, very sad. How can a family which was comfortably off be living in a storm drain under Vegas, or five people to a hotel room, and not have any access to unemployment benefit? How can anyone be against broadening access to healthcare?

Grrrrrrr

OP posts:

BadDayAtTheOrifice · 13/02/2012 21:16

Yes, Lesley got to me too. she looked so unhappy.

OddBoots · 13/02/2012 21:29

I really don't get how a country with so many, including those with power, protesting against contraception as it is (apparently) an abomination to God can have so few speaking out for the rights of the most poor and vulnerable, the very people Jesus sought to help.

Mumcentreplus · 13/02/2012 21:40

this is not about contraception...this is a about human decency and the lack of...and this is what our country is being modelled upon...excuses to not help people...

ChickenLickn · 14/02/2012 00:43

Well this is where tories want to take the UK with the welfare "reform" and the NHS "reform" bills.

Act now or forever be damned.

carernotasaint · 14/02/2012 00:45

Agree Chicken Licken The biggest danger is peoples apathy.

NaturesEnd · 14/02/2012 00:57

I read a few forums that are frequented by mostly Americans and the attitudes are scary. Socialism is basically a swear word/insult to a lot of people, just shows you how fucking brainwashed people can be.

It really gets me that the most far right people are totally pro-life, yet totally anti welfare state. So basically if you are raped you get to take the blessing that has been forced on you , but obviously we will not provide anything for this baby you have been forced to bear or help you in any way to raise it, you are a hateful feckless single mother .

Boils my piss so much.

Disclaimer, I realise a lot of Americans are in fact sane and do think for themselves.

bemybebe · 14/02/2012 01:00

"Socialism" is a swear word to me also. I came from a socialist country, I lived under a socialist regime and it is shit.

ChickenLickn · 14/02/2012 01:27

We must not allow David Cameron to raid our public services, safety net and economy. We have paid for it and it is ours.

This is not about "-isms", this is about the big kid stealing the other's lunch money.

NaturesEnd · 14/02/2012 01:34

"regime" implies some kind of totalitarianism Bemybebe though??? Sorry no clue which country you come from. We don't have very much say in what goes on here, but I wouldn't call it a regime.

OpinionatedMum · 14/02/2012 08:40

Considering large numbers of Britons vote for the party the Sun tells them to and believe all the shite the Mail spouts on benefits, single mums and muslims, then I don't we are in any position to sneer at Americans for being brainwashed.

In case you haven't noticed, it's all happening here with regards to healthcare and the welfare safety net.

Act now or forever be damned.

ohyouBadBadkitten · 14/02/2012 08:53

I knew there was something I wanted to watch last night. Opinionatedmum and Chickenlickn- I fear you are correct.

Highlander · 14/02/2012 08:55

Don't kid yourselves that people are muh better off in the UK. Although the govt has a duty to house you, the state of some of the housing in the UK is utterly appalling. Damp, mould, no heating - it's only marginally better than a tent. I remember seeing the flats in the South of Galsgow and being horrified that people were allowed to llive like that.

Of course the Tory cuts will result in even more homeless in the UK, resulting in even more health hproblems. And if the NHS privatisation plans push ahead..... It's a health time bomb. The Tories have already quietly allowed hospitals to increase the amount of private work they do from 5% to 49%. DH has been approached by other consultants in his hospital and asked to form a private consortium for his speciality.

fuzzPigwickPapers · 14/02/2012 09:02

I am totally behind on current affairs - don't have tv at the moment - I thought the healthcare system was going to change in the US? Wasn't there some kind of vote on it when Obama first got into power? Can anyone give an idiot-proof summary please?

lesley33 · 14/02/2012 09:21

Highlander - I know there is poverty in the UK and some terrible housing conditions. But we are much better off in the UK. I have American relatives who basically live in a shack. One has had both legs amputated as she couldn't afford the medical treatment she needed for a genetic condition. The NHS is not perfect, but my dad who is much older and has the same condition has not had these problems, because of the NHS.

KalSkirata · 14/02/2012 10:11

we are only better off because we have free helathcare that doesnt cripple is with debt. We are in danger of losing that.
The Lords are voting today and tomorrow on the Healthcare Bill. Then the MP's will. Save the NHS

Highlander · 14/02/2012 10:19

Sorry, I'm so not eloquent!

What I'm trying to say is that we are on the verge of a housing crisis in the UK. We are only just housing people, and the welfare cuts, coupled with a lack of unskilled employment opportunities mean that UK residents will soon be out on the streets. If the NHS reform bill is passed, we will be well on the way to a 2 tier healthcare system. The present govt has already scrapped the 18 week treatments atrget, allowing waiting lists to build up ......... Paving the way for private healthcare.

While countries like Canada, Australia and NZ claim that a 2 tier health system works, the reality is that if you cannot afford your prescirptions, you die. When DH was working in Canada, healthcare decisions were made on the ability of the patient to pay for prescriptions

adamschic · 14/02/2012 10:51

I just look at what has happened to NHS dental care and shudder to think that this will happen with healthcare. My dentist just wants you on their list because it means money to them then refuse to treat you beyond the most basic because that means spending money. They will give you lovely teeth if you have a couple of grand to spare.

bemybebe · 14/02/2012 12:03

"When DH was working in Canada, healthcare decisions were made on the ability of the patient to pay for prescriptions"

And in this country healthcare decisions were made on the ability of the healthcare trust to pay for prescriptions, not what is best for the patient.

KalSkirata · 14/02/2012 12:16

true bemybebe. dd needs a particualar form of the medication she is on. The PCT wont pay for it.
We are turning into the US

Bramshott · 14/02/2012 12:24

fuzzPig - I think the bill that was supposed to make heathcare more affordable and available to all was watered down in the Senate, and in any case doesn't come into effect for another couple of years. There are (of course, in a recession with high unemployment) more Americans with no healthcare now than when Obama was elected.

Trickle · 14/02/2012 17:23

Sorry Arielnonbio maybe I should have been more specific, that would be the Americans that vote and implement policy in their country, which unfortunatly in that context is both a majority and sadly the only ones that count

Original poster

ArielNonBio · 14/02/2012 17:47

Yes I agree. There are many Americans who despair of American policy, just as there are loads of Brits who despair of our government. It just all seems so much more extreme in the States and it makes me very worried for the future of the vulnerable in this country.

Perhaps this thread belongs in Chat rather than telly addicts?

OP posts:

fuzzPigwickPapers · 14/02/2012 19:05

Ah thanks bramshott :)

Kellamity · 15/02/2012 17:48

The bit I found totally disturbing in this programme (aside from those poor burdened children ) was during the CNN discussion they talked about the theoretical man in a coma, family unable to pay for care should we leave him to die and members of the audience said yes I could not believe what I was hearing!

ChickenLickn · 15/02/2012 18:06

Kellamity - I expect they probably own/work for a private health company.

Very disturbing.

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