# Why are the Democrats such pussies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 26, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669 "2009-09-26T19:20:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/61 "2009-09-28T04:08:18Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Dude, that planet you’re living on right now must be awful. > Here on Earth a gigantic majority of conservatives most strongly disagree with your statement. Most conservatives think that blacks/Jews/gays/hippies/Antichrist simply have to take personal responsibility, even when they (rightfully) need government help. “Personal responsibility” is just code for “they’re scum, let’s crush them”. “Personal responsibility” is just a phrase the Right uses to blame its victims. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/62 "2009-09-28T04:41:02Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > “Personal responsibility” is just code for “they’re scum, let’s crush them”. “Personal responsibility” is just a phrase the Right uses to blame its victims. Whatever gets you through the night. I see that your mind is impervious to facts on this matter. Still, your party can’t get legislation even with filibuster-proof majority…and you say they care about the poor and downtrodden, they only care insofar it gets them elected. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/63 "2009-09-28T04:43:11Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Let’s look at some numbers though. I can get, in Washington state, health insurance for $80 a month. I can get dental insurance for a further $15. Where? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/64 "2009-09-28T04:57:37Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Still, your party can’t get legislation even with filibuster-proof majority…and you say they care about the poor and downtrodden, they only care insofar it gets them elected. _ **Liberals** _ do. Liberals don’t run the Democrats; they are run by moderate right wingers. Liberalism barely exists in America. And I’m not a Democrat, I’m independent. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/65 "2009-09-28T13:32:43Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, I do. Why the presumption? Why the automatic presumption that the undeserving will gnaw upon them. Hell, the undeserving are already feasting upon us, they just happen to have nice suits and spreadsheets. I don’t much care for welfare queens in Cadillacs, either, and I would be really pissed if anyone could show me they actually exist. > > But greedy corporados definitely do exist, and they are giving us all a jolly good rogering. What, in the name of bleeding Og, makes them so deserving of my generosity. > > If we refuse progress because some asshole is going to take unfair advantage, we engage ourselves in a stunning, galactic hypocrisy. Come right down to it, I prefer the poor and disadvantaged dishonest asshole. > > Greed and poverty both provoke unethical behavior. Difference is, we can fix poverty, but greed goes right to the bone. okay it’s morning and here’s the non smart ass reply. Having been in subsidized housing for about a year about 25 years ago I can assure you that there are those who receive welfare who simply work the system to have others pay their bills. Most conservatives I know have shared a story or two about knowing people like this. Cadillacs? Probably not. That doesn’t mean people aren’t using the system to avoid responsibility or getting others to pay for whatever so their under the table money can be used for fun stuff. My sister in law volunteered to help people sort out their finances. She shook her head in dismay as people ignored her recommendations because the demands of being a responsible adult seemed to high. One thing that tipped it for me was a news report I saw years ago. {No cite} A certain county was really having it hard financially because of high unemployment and increased welfare roles. To try and make ends meet they required recipients to do some work for the county so they didn’t have to lay out money for simple manual tasks. The problem that arose was people complaining about being asked to do these menial tasks. On the newscast they interviewed several people who were happy to pay something back with work and several who bitched because they had skills and felt they were too good to sweep floors, pick up trash, paint a wall. The result was a around 25% or so dropped off the roles rather than work. It seemed obvious to me that if they \*could \* drop off the roles that easily they must have other income and probably had it all along. I’ll note that I don’t include all welfare recipients in the lazy bastard category. Sometimes people need temporary assistance. I knew single Mom’s who went to school and worked part or full time for several years to get off welfare. Conservatives aren’t all blind. They can see character. Having said all that I think the reality is this. Whatever systems we put in place will be imperfect. On a sliding scale, if it’s too easy then it helps more people but is easier to abuse. If it’s very rigid to prevent potential abuse then more people who need help may be left out. I think the other reality conservatives need to understand is the financial reality of how little the real abuse costs in comparison to other issues. That same libertarian friend is a big supporter of free enterprise and capitalism but I continue to point out that we don’t have free enterprise in this country. The bedding of business and politics has seen to that. He now admits we need regulation. Yes, we can try to fix poverty but your own comparison demonstrates that being out of poverty doesn’t automatically improve character. The greedy cooperate heartless asshole is just as much a false stereotype as the welfare Cadillac queen. There were a lot of cooperate execs who earned the bonuses they got criticism for. We are interdependent as a society and we seem to be our own worst enemies because different groups are out for their group and don’t always see that interdependency. IMHO. My point is that the conservatives have a legitimate point and in negotiations legitimate points need to be recognized. Concerning health care my friend doesn’t object to health care reform. His concern is that he will be asked to pay more so others get it for free, and how that kind of program affects the development of personal responsibility and how it will affect our economy 10 to 20+ years down the road. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/66 "2009-09-28T14:08:25Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I agree with this sentiment, which is why I say that I lean Right. But, the truth of the matter is that nearly everyone works a 40 hour week. Nearly everyone who is unemployed is between jobs or actively looking for a new job. The number of people who truly are just living on handouts is statistically insignificant, so basing your policy around sticking it to them is really just bowing to a self-created straw man. > > If Andrew makes more money than Bob, it’s not because Andrew works harder or longer hours, it’s generally because Andrew is smarter. He is able to utilize his time more wisely, and he is able to adapt to changing circumstances better. > > Essentially, people who have a consistently low wage aren’t the sort to plan ahead and be prepared for emergencies. They spend their money on beer and porn instead of on health insurance. They are working and earning the money that should be used to keep them healthy, they’re just not using it for that. Personally, I’d rather enforce that they do pay their bit, taking it out of their wage before they spend it on beer, but that’s getting into government nannyism. So really the debate is about whether stupid people should be forced to do things in their own interest or left to screw themselves over. It’s not terribly clear that the price tag on either of those options is all that different, so it comes more down to ones level of cynicism. I appreciate this post. I work retail and over 2 1/2 decades things have changed. When I started years ago there were commissioned sales people who made decent livings. $40 grand and up. Not rich but able to be a contributing member of society. Now companies have gotten away from that and hire more part timers at lower rates with less benefits. I’ll point out that the consumers themselves are partly to blame as they got more and more focused on price. I am surprised how many customers love Walmart and don’t give a rats ass about their local merchant. Even my own brother in law who took early retirement when Dexter shoe finally lost to competition and closed their factory in Dexter said, why should I pay more if I can save money at Walmart? He didn’t see the connection. Lot’s of people don’t or don’t care. The tired old line “Stop whining and go to school and get a better job” doesn’t make sense to me. Society is made up of a lot of different jobs. It seems to me that we as a society should want people to earn enough to have a decent life and afford the essentials even if they work a regular job. I think that’s where UHC can really help a society if it’s financially responsible. Everyone pays, before they buy beer , pay their cell bills, and get cigarettes. What I’ve noticed about human nature is that when you establish a policy that allows people to avoid personal responsibility and bad consequences for bad choices you will get a significant percentage of people who are very willing to do just that and justify the action in their minds. That;s why I personally support a workfare kind of program. Yes, you can get help if and when you need it, and you are expected to do whatever you are able to contribute. Why should other taxpayers pay for a crew to preform tasks that welfare recipients could do? Wouldn’t it be economically responsible to try to offset welfare costs by getting some work done for it? Isn’t any government safety net program nannyism? I have a friend from Mexico who tells me there’s no welfare there. If you’re poor you’re poor until you work your way out of it. He thinks that’s the best way. Any guesses on why he feels that way? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/67 "2009-09-28T14:20:19Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > “Personal responsibility” is just code for “they’re scum, let’s crush them”. “Personal responsibility” is just a phrase the Right uses to blame its victims. COUGH! {load of crap} Cough! ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/68 "2009-09-28T14:45:53Z")
1. The Democrats are the party of compromise. They are obsessed with the idea of working toward fair, bipartisan legislation that satisfies everyone. 2. The Republicans are the party of “We know we’re right. There’s no reason to entertain a different opinion.” 3. The Democrats want to fight fair. 4. The Republicans learned a lesson from Karl Rove: lie. If lying doesn’t serve to torpedo any Democratic agenda (which it more often than not will), then it will at least confuse things enough for the public. 5. Democratic supporters are generally better educated and more skeptical of their government and party. They view government oversight as sometimes a necessary evil. 6. Republican supporters will accept most things their party tells them. They view government oversight as authoritarian. Republican supporters are also generally older and easier to scare if you threaten their government benefits. Combine all that with undisciplined leadership, and you get pussies. I think the Democrats royally squandered their total control of the government. Be prepared for some big Republican wins next election. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/69 "2009-09-28T15:31:39Z")
[How Much Is COBRA Insurance? Cost, Implications, Alternatives](http://healthinsurance.about.com/od/faqs/f/COBRApremium.htm) Lose your job and you can buy Cobra insurance. It just costs 612 dollars a month. That does not include dental and it is poor coverage. Just turn your unemployment check over to the insurance company and you will do fine. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/70 "2009-09-28T15:42:00Z")
The reason the dems are pussies is because politics is the business of getting re-elected. The dems have to raise huge amounts of money to run a campaign. It is the same for repubs. If we had public campaign financing, the pols could do the peoples business instead of endless fund raising. You have to go where the money is. They will not give it to you without stated or clearly implied directions about votes. The dems want to make changes but standing up to corporations takes a lot of guts. They can pour money into your opponents campaign. Baucus gets huge amounts of money from health and insurance companies (like 2 million dollars). He is in charge of the health care panel,so we get a watered down bill that gives insurance companies even more money and power. It does not matter who is in running the government, because it is an illusion. Big money is in charge. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/71 "2009-09-28T16:07:17Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The reason the dems are pussies is because politics is the business of getting re-elected. The dems have to raise huge amounts of money to run a campaign. It is the same for repubs. If we had public campaign financing, the pols could do the peoples business instead of endless fund raising. You have to go where the money is. They will not give it to you without stated or clearly implied directions about votes. The dems want to make changes but standing up to corporations takes a lot of guts. They can pour money into your opponents campaign. > Baucus gets huge amounts of money from health and insurance companies (like 2 million dollars). He is in charge of the health care panel,so we get a watered down bill that gives insurance companies even more money and power. It does not matter who is in running the government, because it is an illusion. Big money is in charge. Yep,… I think conservatives and liberals and all the folks in between need to stop the bickering and useless name calling treating politics like it’s a team sport and you get some benefit from your team winning. Let’s get together to change campaign financing. Propose something and tell our elected leaders, you support it or you’re out and the next guy gets a chance. Unless we can bring about meaningful change in campaign financing we’re all gonna get screwed conservatives and liberals alike. The people who get elected who really want to serve the public go in with decent ideals and are either corrupted or driven out. The American public either doesn’t want to hear the truth or is unwilling to do the real work it takes to make things better. Myself included. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/72 "2009-09-28T18:44:31Z")
I can think of nothing more important than changing campaign finance laws. The Supreme Court is on the verge of a disastrous decision. They may take the gloves off corporate and union contributions under the idea that money donation is equivalent to free speech. When that ruling comes out, we need a revolution. It will give a huge push in the wrong direction. The people have lost their ability to pressure their politicians when compared to the easy access that the rich and powerful have. The will of the people was made clear in the last election. But, it did not translate to the changes we wanted. The people want universal payer health care. The people want out of Iraq and Afghanistan. The will of the people is trumped by money . The people feel their money was turned over to rich bankers who practically destroyed the economy of the whole globe. But our taxes make them whole again. Then the arrogant pricks go on their merry way starting all over. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/73 "2009-09-28T19:13:55Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I can think of nothing more important than changing campaign finance laws. The Supreme Court is on the verge of a disastrous decision. They may take the gloves off corporate and union contributions under the idea that money donation is equivalent to free speech. When that ruling comes out, we need a revolution. It will give a huge push in the wrong direction. The people have lost their ability to pressure their politicians when compared to the easy access that the rich and powerful have. > The will of the people was made clear in the last election. But, it did not translate to the changes we wanted. The people want universal payer health care. The people want out of Iraq and Afghanistan. The will of the people is trumped by money . The people feel their money was turned over to rich bankers who practically destroyed the economy of the whole globe. But our taxes make them whole again. Then the arrogant pricks go on their merry way starting all over. I read about that and then I heard them discussing it on NPR. It will overturn years of legal precedent. I have a hard time believing that our supreme court could commit such a travesty and will be incredibly discouraged if it happens. Business and lobbyists should have a voice and already have the money to make information available and to plea their cause to politicians. I think politicians need that kind of information in making decisions and writing policy. They should not however, be allowed to contribute one dime in any way to an election campaign. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/74 "2009-09-28T19:17:05Z")
btw; I started [a thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=533868) in IMHO asking for suggestions on campaign finance reform. I’d be glad to see some who frequent GD offer any suggestions or insights. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/75 "2009-09-29T01:15:27Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > It’s a gamble because it’s guaranteed to not decrease spending. > > The only reason why spending might decrease would be because of the economies of scale. If they don’t shut down all of the private insurance companies in the US and switch to a single payer system, then you don’t get that. If you do shut down all of the private insurance companies in the US, you’ve just put a large chunk of the American economy out of business and thrown the market into a downspin while still in a recession. And more importantly, you’ll only decrease spending by about 10%–since most spending is not due to the existence of private insurance–where we need to decrease it by 50% to come in line with other countries. And since coverage will be expanded to more people, that 10% might just be filled back up. Either way, the rate of cost growth is unlikely to change significantly, so after perhaps a small dip, the cost will go back on growing. > > And yes, I understand that your argument is that lives saved is the big issue, not cost. But the thing is that 70% of everyone is in love with their health care and worked hard to get it. They don’t want people dying for sure, but they don’t want people to die in Africa either, but that doesn’t mean that they want to finance an occupation and restructuring of the African continent. For most people, if they don’t see people around them dying, they just don’t really care. They care about the part that impacts them, and that’s the price tag. You want a guarantee. If we stay the same as we are, health care costs will increase as they have . They have doubled in the last 10 years with diminished coverage. As things stay as they are they will double in the next 10. Eventually It will consume have our national resources. If that is fine by you , If it is just money to you, you should be fighting and screaming for a public option. if it is about humanitarianism, then it still is a public option or a UHC. But what we have does not work and is getting unsustainable. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/76 "2009-09-29T02:11:37Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > You want a guarantee. If we stay the same as we are, health care costs will increase as they have . They have doubled in the last 10 years with diminished coverage. As things stay as they are they will double in the next 10. Eventually It will consume have our national resources. If that is fine by you , If it is just money to you, you should be fighting and screaming for a public option. if it is about humanitarianism, then it still is a public option or a UHC. But what we have does not work and is getting unsustainable. Half our national resources. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/77 "2009-09-29T03:59:28Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > You want a guarantee. If we stay the same as we are, health care costs will increase as they have . They have doubled in the last 10 years with diminished coverage. As things stay as they are they will double in the next 10. Eventually It will consume have our national resources. If that is fine by you , If it is just money to you, you should be fighting and screaming for a public option. if it is about humanitarianism, then it still is a public option or a UHC. But what we have does not work and is getting unsustainable. Yes, but that has nothing to do with what is being proposed. It’s like saying that every time I stick a can of Coke in the microwave for ten minutes, the microwave explodes. If we keep going, we’re going to run out of money buying microwaves. Thus! We must switch to Pepsi. Like I said, the problem with the proposal is that it won’t decrease spending. It’s unrelated to our spending. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/78 "2009-09-29T04:01:29Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Yes, but that has nothing to do with what is being proposed. It’s like saying that every time I stick a can of Coke in the microwave for ten minutes, the microwave explodes. If we keep going, we’re going to run out of money buying microwaves. Thus! We must switch to Pepsi. > > Like I said, the problem with the proposal is that it won’t decrease spending. It’s unrelated to our spending. But it will decrease spending. The example of other industialized nations proves that to be so. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/79 "2009-09-29T04:43:39Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Yes, but that has nothing to do with what is being proposed. It’s like saying that every time I stick a can of Coke in the microwave for ten minutes, the microwave explodes. If we keep going, we’re going to run out of money buying microwaves. Thus! We must switch to Pepsi. > > Like I said, the problem with the proposal is that it won’t decrease spending. It’s unrelated to our spending. As I mentioned before, this argument is a Red Herring. The issue is also about cost containment, and as mentioned before, Taiwan is saving money now and they are covering almost all their citizens. Compared to what they would be paying if change had not taken place in 1995. And when bankruptcies related to health cost are removed from the picture, I consider that priceless. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89651916](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89651916) > [@](#): > > A Consolidated System > > They wanted a system that gave everybody equal access to health care — free choice of doctors, with no waiting time — and a system that encouraged a lot of competition among medical providers. > > To finance the scheme they chose a national insurance system: a single, government-run fund that forces everybody to join in and pay. > > The result is a system that works a lot like Canada’s, or like the U.S. Medicare system, but with more benefits. > > “It has drug benefits, vision care, traditional Chinese medicine, kidney dialysis, inpatient care, outpatient care, just about everything under the sun,” Cheng says. > > To satisfy the patients in Taiwan, there’s no gatekeeper who controls access to specialists and no waiting lines. > > If you woke up in Taiwan with shoulder pain, for example, Chang says that you would be able to see an orthopedic specialist the same morning, no recommendation from a general practitioner required. > > “Our people don’t like the idea of gatekeepers. They want to decide by themselves,” Chang says. > > Don’t Forget Your Smart Card > > By consolidating so much — one government plan that covers everybody — Taiwan achieves remarkable efficiency. > > Everybody here has to have a smart card to go to the doctor. The doctor puts it in a reader and the patient’s history and medications all show up on the screen. The bill goes directly to the government insurance office and is paid automatically. > > So Taiwan has the lowest administrative costs in world: less than 2 percent. > > They also use that smart card to track patterns of use. > > “If a patient goes to see a doctor or hospital over 20 times a month, or 50 times in a three-month period, then the IT picks that person out. The person then gets a visit from the government, the Bureau of National Health Insurance, and they have a little chat. And this works very well,” Cheng says. > > That may be too much like Big Brother for some people in the United States, but surveys show the Taiwanese are highly satisfied with their health care. > > Plus, no one goes bankrupt because of medical bills, Chang says. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669/80 "2009-09-29T05:00:01Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > The issue is also about cost containment How? Unless you argument is that not covering uninsured people is what is bloating the cost, how are you expecting covering uninsured people to contain costs? There’s no evidence that expanding coverage will cut cost. So what exactly, in the proposed bill, are you expecting to contain or reduce the cost? Why do you think the cost is high? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669.md?page=5)