You and I, and hopefully others, who show up for this conversation, on this forum, with the assumption that many people are acting irrationally, against their interests, can then have a more fruitful conversation -- cooperatively trying to figure out that question. If we get too stuck on words, the project can't get off the ground. I don't think it's wrong to engage in the philosophy, of course, especially given this is a philosophy forum, but given we're in a political thread it has the potential to slow things down to a crawl.
You've touched, I think, on the heart of the issue. But again, I don't accept the idea that because neither you nor I have a foolproof way of convincing people to change their minds or that they're being irrational, that this somehow makes us wrong in our assessment that they are being irrational (in the sense I meant above).
The question in the latter case becomes, Why do people believe weird things?
You do understand that with this kind of spending you are in the elite when viewed globally? 4 Holidays a year is worth 17-20% of your your income? Who do spend 17-20% on holidays in the World globally speaking?Well, let's see. Taking my disposable income, so after taxes, social security and pension contributions it looks like this:
Mortgage makes up about 33%.
Upkeep House 2.5%
Gas, water, light, phones is another 5%,
all insurances, including health insurance 5%
Car and petrol 4%
Daycare kids 3%
4 Holidays a year 17-20%
Food 10%
Clothing and birthday gifts 10%
We also just build an extension to the house and bought a lot of furniture,so the buffer is lower than I'd have it normally.
Probably the main difference is that I don't need to save for my pension from my disposable income. So I really only need savings to replace stuff if it breaks. — Benkei
There are studies that claim the US spends twice as much on healthcare and performs less well in medical outcomes compared to countries such as the Netherlands. — praxis
In regard to paid leave... — praxis
There's a difference between the quality of healthcare available and the number of people that can afford it. If people don't take out insurance and can't afford healthcare out of pocket then that's not my problem. That the majority of americans make stupid choices by not getting insurance, or waiting with it until they have a pre-existing condition, doesn't mean I should pay for those bad decisions; your statistics are therefore meaningless. I might pay more for my insurance but I have access to the best healthcare the world has to offer. — Benkei
That really depends on what metric. Most high tech? USA. Most patents filed? USA. — Benkei
Having money is absolutely an end in itself. Money can provide security and freedom. Any working adult should be able to recognize this. — BitconnectCarlos
For example, part of the reason for such dismal maternal health outcomes is lack of access, yes. — Artemis
Medicaid is pretty generous — frank
But everyone is not on Medicaid. For one, it's administered by the states, and some states have meagre funding, others are much better funded. Compare New York with Mississippi. Plus, insurance costs a lot of money when you are on your own (as far as coverage is concerned) or are in a small employee group. — Bitter Crank
I had throat cancer surgery a few weeks ago — Bitter Crank
I know people with cancer that visited the USA for treatment as a last ditch effort, because it was the absolute best available. — Benkei
Is this a positive medical development, or simply an expensive frill, which adds unnecessarily to the cost of medical care — Bitter Crank
had a fantasy of the surgical robot getting loose and stalking humans in the hospital hallways, over-powering them, and forcing its favorite surgical procedures on them. — Bitter Crank
Capitalism is one of the two roots of our health problem (lifestyle is the other one). Attached to American Health Care, like a big ugly glioblastoma on the brain, is the parasitical profit-making health insurance and intermediary administration companies. Americans have been brainwashed by the capitalists into fearing single-payer insurance (aka, medicare for all).
If money is good because of the other things it provides, it's not an end in itself, first of all.
Second, the freedom and security of any working adult should be inherently guaranteed and not be dependent on their relative wealth.
It's nice that you believe that but we're talking about the world as it is. When american taxpayers have more money in their pockets after taxes that helps them attain freedom and security. — BitconnectCarlos
When Europeans have adequate health care and education provided to ALL of their citizens that helps them attain freedom and security.
Am I right? Or are you? Or are we both right from some perspective? Obviously, it must be the last one, which makes statements like this entirely worthless...right?
IMO. I favor placing my own financial future first and foremost into my own hands as opposed to hoping the government with its services can provide for me. — BitconnectCarlos
You mean in the hands of your employer, the market, and the corporations from which you buy the goods for your "freedom and security."
Thinking it's all in your own hands and only yours is pretty naive, no matter which system you choose.
With enough money you don't need to rely on an employer. — BitconnectCarlos
I understand public services are good, but the freedom provided when you have enough money to retire and then some is much preferable IMO. — BitconnectCarlos
You don't need to be a billionaire. Think much, much smaller. You don't even need a million to start feeling the effects. — BitconnectCarlos
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