# Does the Republican party kill more Americans than terrorists?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-republican-party-kill-more-americans-than-terrorists/846434>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [January 15, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-republican-party-kill-more-americans-than-terrorists/846434 "2020-01-15T01:21:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-republican-party-kill-more-americans-than-terrorists/846434/41 "2020-01-17T14:20:13Z")

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> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#):
>
> I think that for your comparison to be fair, you also have to include deaths that are indirectly caused by terrorism - deaths due to the drug trading that funds terrorists, deaths of people fleeing governments that have been co-opted by terrorists, and deaths caused by our war on terrorism.

How many Americans have been killed fleeing governments that have been co-opted by terrorists?

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**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-republican-party-kill-more-americans-than-terrorists/846434/42 "2020-01-17T15:30:20Z")

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There is also a difference between “\*\*killing \*\*people” and “not saving additional lives that could be saved.”

Since the American healthcare system is pretty screwed-up, let’s use Canada as a hypothetical example instead. Canada has a pretty fine universal healthcare system; nevertheless, like any system, it’s probably only A-. Now, suppose some Canadians propose a new healthcare reform that would go far above and beyond the current system - a true “A+” system - a truly _gold-plated_ healthcare system that would go to _all lengths to save all possible lives_ and not only that, but rigorously intervene in everyone’s lives - everyone’s diet, habits, exercise, etc. - to ensure as long-living lives of all Canadians as possible. This healthcare plan would save additional lives, no doubt, but it would also be very socially intrusive and colossally expensive.

Now, suppose that one Canadian political faction felt that the expenses of such a healthcare reform were simply too high, and such a plan just so intrusive, that they opposed it, and the bill was shot down. Does this therefore mean they are morally responsible for the “killing” of 10,000 Canadian lives that might have otherwise have been saved by such a plan?

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**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-republican-party-kill-more-americans-than-terrorists/846434/43 "2020-01-17T16:13:28Z")

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> [@Omar\_Little](#):
>
> What a dumb debate.

Can’t argue.

Off to the Pit

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