Privatize: The word "privatize" has been around a long time, and bandied about by political types as some kind of magic bullet that solves problems. Privatize is a sneaky word that...

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

The word "privatize" has been around a long time, and bandied about by political types as some kind of magic bullet that solves problems. Privatize is a sneaky word that means "making profit from" whatever has been privatized. When the VA scandal hit several years ago, certain political types began chanting privatize, as though that alone could solve the crisis. What does privatization actually mean to the average American?

Privatization of a Government program or agency, puts the responsibility for the program into corporate hands, where they agree to provide the service in exchange for making a profit. Proponents of privatization, sell this as a way to increase efficiency and save tax payer dollars. In theory, this is true, but in practice, efficiency decreases and costs go up for both the Individual and the taxpayer. Why does this happen? Simply put; profit. Corporations single responsibility is to the share holders, not the tax payer, therefor, their primary focus is maximizing profit - which requires minimizing services and increasing income.

The perfect example of the dangers of privatization is healthcare. Had we, the people, refused to allow healthcare to be privatized a hundred years ago, we wouldn't be embroiled in the kind of angst and animosity we see today over Obamacare - because there would never had been an Obamacare, it wouldn't have been needed. Medical personnel would be billing their patients directly for services rendered, no middle man, no share holders to enrich, no executive staff to enrich with lavish bonuses and pay - and no profit taking. Due to the privatization of healthcare, profit is generated at every step in the process. The medical supply chain, the pharmaceutical supply chain, the medical device chain, the facility chain, the professions chain, the healthcare delivery chain and the healthcare insurance chain. Each and every link in those chains strive to make as much money as possible - and we the people pay every single dime of that. We pay taxes, much of which feeds those chains, we pay premiums for insurance that feeds the bulk of those chains, and we pay the chains directly through copays, co-insurance and out of pocket expenses.

When we allow someone to talk us into privatizing something, we agree to receive less and pay more. What person in their right mind would make such an agreement? The hype sounds great, but we have GOT to understand that it is a sales pitch, designed to cozen us into giving away our rights and privileges and placing them into the hands of corporate types who's only concern is taking as much of our money as they possibly can. There is absolutely nothing patriotic about privatizing. Capitalism is not the solution to every problem or need. Privatizing means giving away your right to influence how the program or service is conducted. The "market" is selfish and does NOT have your best interests in mind when conducting business, unless you own a substantial share of that market, if you do, then privatizing is wonderful, if you do not - then you're getting screwed.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

lpnmajor wrote:

The word "privatize" has been around a long time, and bandied about by political types as some kind of magic bullet that solves problems. Privatize is a sneaky word that means "making profit from" whatever has been privatized. When the VA scandal hit several years ago, certain political types began chanting privatize, as though that alone could solve the crisis. What does privatization actually mean to the average American?

Privatization of a Government program or agency, puts the responsibility for the program into corporate hands, where they agree to provide the service in exchange for making a profit. Proponents of privatization, sell this as a way to increase efficiency and save tax payer dollars. In theory, this is true, but in practice, efficiency decreases and costs go up for both the Individual and the taxpayer. Why does this happen? Simply put; profit. Corporations single responsibility is to the share holders, not the tax payer, therefor, their primary focus is maximizing profit - which requires minimizing services and increasing income.

The perfect example of the dangers of privatization is healthcare. Had we, the people, refused to allow healthcare to be privatized a hundred years ago, we wouldn't be embroiled in the kind of angst and animosity we see today over Obamacare - because there would never had been an Obamacare, it wouldn't have been needed. Medical personnel would be billing their patients directly for services rendered, no middle man, no share holders to enrich, no executive staff to enrich with lavish bonuses and pay - and no profit taking. Due to the privatization of healthcare, profit is generated at every step in the process. The medical supply chain, the pharmaceutical supply chain, the medical device chain, the facility chain, the professions chain, the healthcare delivery chain and the healthcare insurance chain. Each and every link in those chains strive to make as much money as possible - and we the people pay every single dime of that. We pay taxes, much of which feeds those chains, we pay premiums for insurance that feeds the bulk of those chains, and we pay the chains directly through copays, co-insurance and out of pocket expenses.

When we allow someone to talk us into privatizing something, we agree to receive less and pay more. What person in their right mind would make such an agreement? The hype sounds great, but we have GOT to understand that it is a sales pitch, designed to cozen us into giving away our rights and privileges and placing them into the hands of corporate types who's only concern is taking as much of our money as they possibly can. There is absolutely nothing patriotic about privatizing. Capitalism is not the solution to every problem or need. Privatizing means giving away your right to influence how the program or service is conducted. The "market" is selfish and does NOT have your best interests in mind when conducting business, unless you own a substantial share of that market, if you do, then privatizing is wonderful, if you do not - then you're getting screwed.

The word "privatize" has been around a l... (show quote)

Nice try but no donut for you dimwit.

You want government programs ?

Move to North Korea.

Otherwise, shut up and get off of the government's tit.....................Punk !

nwtk2007 Loc: Texas

lpnmajor wrote:

The word "privatize" has been around a long time, and bandied about by political types as some kind of magic bullet that solves problems. Privatize is a sneaky word that means "making profit from" whatever has been privatized. When the VA scandal hit several years ago, certain political types began chanting privatize, as though that alone could solve the crisis. What does privatization actually mean to the average American?

Privatization of a Government program or agency, puts the responsibility for the program into corporate hands, where they agree to provide the service in exchange for making a profit. Proponents of privatization, sell this as a way to increase efficiency and save tax payer dollars. In theory, this is true, but in practice, efficiency decreases and costs go up for both the Individual and the taxpayer. Why does this happen? Simply put; profit. Corporations single responsibility is to the share holders, not the tax payer, therefor, their primary focus is maximizing profit - which requires minimizing services and increasing income.

The perfect example of the dangers of privatization is healthcare. Had we, the people, refused to allow healthcare to be privatized a hundred years ago, we wouldn't be embroiled in the kind of angst and animosity we see today over Obamacare - because there would never had been an Obamacare, it wouldn't have been needed. Medical personnel would be billing their patients directly for services rendered, no middle man, no share holders to enrich, no executive staff to enrich with lavish bonuses and pay - and no profit taking. Due to the privatization of healthcare, profit is generated at every step in the process. The medical supply chain, the pharmaceutical supply chain, the medical device chain, the facility chain, the professions chain, the healthcare delivery chain and the healthcare insurance chain. Each and every link in those chains strive to make as much money as possible - and we the people pay every single dime of that. We pay taxes, much of which feeds those chains, we pay premiums for insurance that feeds the bulk of those chains, and we pay the chains directly through copays, co-insurance and out of pocket expenses.

When we allow someone to talk us into privatizing something, we agree to receive less and pay more. What person in their right mind would make such an agreement? The hype sounds great, but we have GOT to understand that it is a sales pitch, designed to cozen us into giving away our rights and privileges and placing them into the hands of corporate types who's only concern is taking as much of our money as they possibly can. There is absolutely nothing patriotic about privatizing. Capitalism is not the solution to every problem or need. Privatizing means giving away your right to influence how the program or service is conducted. The "market" is selfish and does NOT have your best interests in mind when conducting business, unless you own a substantial share of that market, if you do, then privatizing is wonderful, if you do not - then you're getting screwed.

The word "privatize" has been around a l... (show quote)

Not that I totally disagree, but you could make the same argument for any industry where a person must trust the expertise of the provider, Take auto mechanics for example. Those who don't know cars must believe the service man who says not only do you need brakes but also new rotors and calipers. Very few would have the where with all to know and thus, needing brakes, would have it done.

Sure, one can shop around but if the majority of providers so this, the layperson is essentially screwed.

If providers of any skill service think themselves hammers and see everyone as a nail, then there's a problem. It's a tough problem to address.

vernon

lpnmajor wrote:

The word "privatize" has been around a long time, and bandied about by political types as some kind of magic bullet that solves problems. Privatize is a sneaky word that means "making profit from" whatever has been privatized. When the VA scandal hit several years ago, certain political types began chanting privatize, as though that alone could solve the crisis. What does privatization actually mean to the average American?

Privatization of a Government program or agency, puts the responsibility for the program into corporate hands, where they agree to provide the service in exchange for making a profit. Proponents of privatization, sell this as a way to increase efficiency and save tax payer dollars. In theory, this is true, but in practice, efficiency decreases and costs go up for both the Individual and the taxpayer. Why does this happen? Simply put; profit. Corporations single responsibility is to the share holders, not the tax payer, therefor, their primary focus is maximizing profit - which requires minimizing services and increasing income.

The perfect example of the dangers of privatization is healthcare. Had we, the people, refused to allow healthcare to be privatized a hundred years ago, we wouldn't be embroiled in the kind of angst and animosity we see today over Obamacare - because there would never had been an Obamacare, it wouldn't have been needed. Medical personnel would be billing their patients directly for services rendered, no middle man, no share holders to enrich, no executive staff to enrich with lavish bonuses and pay - and no profit taking. Due to the privatization of healthcare, profit is generated at every step in the process. The medical supply chain, the pharmaceutical supply chain, the medical device chain, the facility chain, the professions chain, the healthcare delivery chain and the healthcare insurance chain. Each and every link in those chains strive to make as much money as possible - and we the people pay every single dime of that. We pay taxes, much of which feeds those chains, we pay premiums for insurance that feeds the bulk of those chains, and we pay the chains directly through copays, co-insurance and out of pocket expenses.

When we allow someone to talk us into privatizing something, we agree to receive less and pay more. What person in their right mind would make such an agreement? The hype sounds great, but we have GOT to understand that it is a sales pitch, designed to cozen us into giving away our rights and privileges and placing them into the hands of corporate types who's only concern is taking as much of our money as they possibly can. There is absolutely nothing patriotic about privatizing. Capitalism is not the solution to every problem or need. Privatizing means giving away your right to influence how the program or service is conducted. The "market" is selfish and does NOT have your best interests in mind when conducting business, unless you own a substantial share of that market, if you do, then privatizing is wonderful, if you do not - then you're getting screwed.

The word "privatize" has been around a l... (show quote)

you as usual don't know what your talking about.when you do to work( if you do?)are you going just to help out or do you intend to leave a little richer than you were?That is called making money, now assuming you hate profit just how do you think we could create wealth?

emarine

Wolf counselor wrote:

Nice try but no donut for you dimwit.

You want government programs ?

Move to North Korea.

Otherwise, shut up and get off of the government's tit.....................Punk !

Sorry Woofie but I disagree... I am a firm believer in free market capitalism all the way until profits over people takes over ... If we are in fact the best country on the planet everyone should have excellent health care... that means poor people too... The ACA has major problems no doubt so a better form of singe payer with cost control needs to be created otherwise good health care will be a luxury of the wealthy... working Americans should not have to lose everything if someone in their family gets sick... some research on bank foreclosures & personal bankruptcies should shed some light... healthcare should be all about We the American people not multi national corporations & share holders...

vernon

emarine wrote:

Sorry Woofie but I disagree... I am a firm believe... (show quote)

The doctor that treats a patient has spent at least 1 million bucks and years of of college and med school in order to hang out a shingle.now if you get sick you seem to think he should be responsible for other others with out compensation i think that is called slavery.

working class stiff Loc: N. Carolina

lpnmajor wrote:

The word "privatize" has been around a long time, and bandied about by political types as some kind of magic bullet that solves problems. Privatize is a sneaky word that means "making profit from" whatever has been privatized. When the VA scandal hit several years ago, certain political types began chanting privatize, as though that alone could solve the crisis. What does privatization actually mean to the average American?

Privatization of a Government program or agency, puts the responsibility for the program into corporate hands, where they agree to provide the service in exchange for making a profit. Proponents of privatization, sell this as a way to increase efficiency and save tax payer dollars. In theory, this is true, but in practice, efficiency decreases and costs go up for both the Individual and the taxpayer. Why does this happen? Simply put; profit. Corporations single responsibility is to the share holders, not the tax payer, therefor, their primary focus is maximizing profit - which requires minimizing services and increasing income.

The perfect example of the dangers of privatization is healthcare. Had we, the people, refused to allow healthcare to be privatized a hundred years ago, we wouldn't be embroiled in the kind of angst and animosity we see today over Obamacare - because there would never had been an Obamacare, it wouldn't have been needed. Medical personnel would be billing their patients directly for services rendered, no middle man, no share holders to enrich, no executive staff to enrich with lavish bonuses and pay - and no profit taking. Due to the privatization of healthcare, profit is generated at every step in the process. The medical supply chain, the pharmaceutical supply chain, the medical device chain, the facility chain, the professions chain, the healthcare delivery chain and the healthcare insurance chain. Each and every link in those chains strive to make as much money as possible - and we the people pay every single dime of that. We pay taxes, much of which feeds those chains, we pay premiums for insurance that feeds the bulk of those chains, and we pay the chains directly through copays, co-insurance and out of pocket expenses.

When we allow someone to talk us into privatizing something, we agree to receive less and pay more. What person in their right mind would make such an agreement? The hype sounds great, but we have GOT to understand that it is a sales pitch, designed to cozen us into giving away our rights and privileges and placing them into the hands of corporate types who's only concern is taking as much of our money as they possibly can. There is absolutely nothing patriotic about privatizing. Capitalism is not the solution to every problem or need. Privatizing means giving away your right to influence how the program or service is conducted. The "market" is selfish and does NOT have your best interests in mind when conducting business, unless you own a substantial share of that market, if you do, then privatizing is wonderful, if you do not - then you're getting screwed.

The word "privatize" has been around a l... (show quote)

the waker Loc: 11th freest nation

emarine wrote:

Sorry Woofie but I disagree... I am a firm believe... (show quote)

Wasn't that what the Republicans said in the first place, when the ACA fails it would just force people into a single payer HealthCare system.
So I guess, the right was right, but the ACA accomplished it's task.
Fact is healthcare is more costly then ever before, for those responsible enough to pay for it.

Off topic: with the legalization of Marijuana and abuse of pharmaceuticals in this country, won't all of this drug abuse significantly rack up the cost of HearhCare (failing organs, forms of [lung] cancer) in this country in years to come?
Should all responsible Americans be forced to pay for others bad decisions in life?
I only say that, because we will be, in some cases we are now.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

emarine wrote:

Sorry Woofie but I disagree... I am a firm believe... (show quote)

Lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid the expense of healthcare costs.

It's not the government's responsibility to nurse you.

Wise up in regard to your diet and quit eating so much processed foods.

99% of health care issues can be traced to the garbage that fat greedy Americans shove down their throats.

I know it sounds callous, but I'm not concerned about " the poor ".

I'm more concerned with making sure that I don't BECOME poor.

That leaves me no time to be worried about something I can do nothing to change.

The poor will always be with us.

But my immediate family comes before some stranger with his hands out begging for what he fails to provide for himself.

The government already has its hands full with the poor.

The churches and the so called Christians are ignoring them except for token donations done to promote publicity.

I don't want the government doing JACK for me and mine.

But if you want them to be your nanny, good luck with that.............Pilgrim !!!

working class stiff Loc: N. Carolina

Good points. Same can be said for privatizing incarceration.

The only way to make money for the shareholders is to fill all the beds built in private prisons, providing an incentive to jail more and more folks. For more on that:

http://www.americanbar.org/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/human_rights_vol38_2011/human_rights_summer11/prisons_for_profit_incarceration_for_sale.html

the waker Loc: 11th freest nation

emarine wrote:

Sorry Woofie but I disagree... I am a firm believe... (show quote)

Are we still the best country on the planet?
We're 20 trillion in debt
Not even in the top 15 economies in the world anymore
Last checked the 11th freest nation
Racial divide is at a high.
People that aren't even citizens have better opportunities to start a business in this country over our own citizens.
Small businesses have been hammered with over taxation.
HealthCare is unsustainable.
Education is an absolute joke.
ECT...
I could go on, and on, and on.

Just saying, the crazies have run this country into the ground to the point they actually think socialism is a great idea! SOCIALISM!

cesspool jones Loc: atlanta

lpnmajor wrote:

The word "privatize" has been around a long time, and bandied about by political types as some kind of magic bullet that solves problems. Privatize is a sneaky word that means "making profit from" whatever has been privatized. When the VA scandal hit several years ago, certain political types began chanting privatize, as though that alone could solve the crisis. What does privatization actually mean to the average American?

Privatization of a Government program or agency, puts the responsibility for the program into corporate hands, where they agree to provide the service in exchange for making a profit. Proponents of privatization, sell this as a way to increase efficiency and save tax payer dollars. In theory, this is true, but in practice, efficiency decreases and costs go up for both the Individual and the taxpayer. Why does this happen? Simply put; profit. Corporations single responsibility is to the share holders, not the tax payer, therefor, their primary focus is maximizing profit - which requires minimizing services and increasing income.

The perfect example of the dangers of privatization is healthcare. Had we, the people, refused to allow healthcare to be privatized a hundred years ago, we wouldn't be embroiled in the kind of angst and animosity we see today over Obamacare - because there would never had been an Obamacare, it wouldn't have been needed. Medical personnel would be billing their patients directly for services rendered, no middle man, no share holders to enrich, no executive staff to enrich with lavish bonuses and pay - and no profit taking. Due to the privatization of healthcare, profit is generated at every step in the process. The medical supply chain, the pharmaceutical supply chain, the medical device chain, the facility chain, the professions chain, the healthcare delivery chain and the healthcare insurance chain. Each and every link in those chains strive to make as much money as possible - and we the people pay every single dime of that. We pay taxes, much of which feeds those chains, we pay premiums for insurance that feeds the bulk of those chains, and we pay the chains directly through copays, co-insurance and out of pocket expenses.

When we allow someone to talk us into privatizing something, we agree to receive less and pay more. What person in their right mind would make such an agreement? The hype sounds great, but we have GOT to understand that it is a sales pitch, designed to cozen us into giving away our rights and privileges and placing them into the hands of corporate types who's only concern is taking as much of our money as they possibly can. There is absolutely nothing patriotic about privatizing. Capitalism is not the solution to every problem or need. Privatizing means giving away your right to influence how the program or service is conducted. The "market" is selfish and does NOT have your best interests in mind when conducting business, unless you own a substantial share of that market, if you do, then privatizing is wonderful, if you do not - then you're getting screwed.

The word "privatize" has been around a l... (show quote)

You can blame HMO's (lawyers) in the 80's and people who want money for nothing (suing every doctor when only a few screwed up) for this health care mess.

nwtk2007 Loc: Texas

vernon wrote:

The doctor that treats a patient has spent at least 1 million bucks and years of of college and med school in order to hang out a shingle.now if you get sick you seem to think he should be responsible for other others with out compensation i think that is called slavery.

A million?? That's a reach! Add to that, the clever new doc can get his loans paid off by just being willing to work in an out of the way place for s few years.

Now, yes, malpractice insurance is stupid expensive. But who's fault is that. I've had a malpractice case against me. The insurance company wanted to settle out for thousands. I said no and I won. It was total fraud, it was obviously total fraud and yet they wanted to settle.

I have two acquaintances who have the "shingle" and have gone without malpractice insurance for over ten years now. No malpractice cases have been brought. Why? Because they aren't a target without it.

The medical profession needs some revamping. MD's need to be a bit smarter than they are being. But really, why do so many think they are some sort of God who can't fill out a form, take a call, council their patients, etc, etc. So many want to just stroll through their day and wonder why they aren't making it. Duh!!

So sorry I don't sympathize with the plights of MD's but I see it all first hand. It's why the profession is being taken over by foreigners. For some reason, these "brown doc's" will see 30 to 40 or more patients per day and give good, quality care.

Again, it varies, but I see so many instances where the medical profession could just take one or two extra steps and end most of their problems.

Rivers

lpnmajor wrote:

The word "privatize" has been around a long time, and bandied about by political types as some kind of magic bullet that solves problems. Privatize is a sneaky word that means "making profit from" whatever has been privatized. When the VA scandal hit several years ago, certain political types began chanting privatize, as though that alone could solve the crisis. What does privatization actually mean to the average American?

Privatization of a Government program or agency, puts the responsibility for the program into corporate hands, where they agree to provide the service in exchange for making a profit. Proponents of privatization, sell this as a way to increase efficiency and save tax payer dollars. In theory, this is true, but in practice, efficiency decreases and costs go up for both the Individual and the taxpayer. Why does this happen? Simply put; profit. Corporations single responsibility is to the share holders, not the tax payer, therefor, their primary focus is maximizing profit - which requires minimizing services and increasing income.

The perfect example of the dangers of privatization is healthcare. Had we, the people, refused to allow healthcare to be privatized a hundred years ago, we wouldn't be embroiled in the kind of angst and animosity we see today over Obamacare - because there would never had been an Obamacare, it wouldn't have been needed. Medical personnel would be billing their patients directly for services rendered, no middle man, no share holders to enrich, no executive staff to enrich with lavish bonuses and pay - and no profit taking. Due to the privatization of healthcare, profit is generated at every step in the process. The medical supply chain, the pharmaceutical supply chain, the medical device chain, the facility chain, the professions chain, the healthcare delivery chain and the healthcare insurance chain. Each and every link in those chains strive to make as much money as possible - and we the people pay every single dime of that. We pay taxes, much of which feeds those chains, we pay premiums for insurance that feeds the bulk of those chains, and we pay the chains directly through copays, co-insurance and out of pocket expenses.

When we allow someone to talk us into privatizing something, we agree to receive less and pay more. What person in their right mind would make such an agreement? The hype sounds great, but we have GOT to understand that it is a sales pitch, designed to cozen us into giving away our rights and privileges and placing them into the hands of corporate types who's only concern is taking as much of our money as they possibly can. There is absolutely nothing patriotic about privatizing. Capitalism is not the solution to every problem or need. Privatizing means giving away your right to influence how the program or service is conducted. The "market" is selfish and does NOT have your best interests in mind when conducting business, unless you own a substantial share of that market, if you do, then privatizing is wonderful, if you do not - then you're getting screwed.

The word "privatize" has been around a l... (show quote)

What is criminal about making a profit? In case you didn't know, it is called "Capitalism." It is what has made America the greatest economy the world has ever seen. When the government runs the healthcare you have waste, fraud, abuse, incompetence, and over spending. Private industry will always do the same job cheaper, more efficient, and more competently. Government doesn't create wealth, it only knows how to spend the taxpayer dollars....inefficiently and incompetently.

emarine

vernon wrote:

The doctor that treats a patient has spent at least 1 million bucks and years of of college and med school in order to hang out a shingle.now if you get sick you seem to think he should be responsible for other others with out compensation i think that is called slavery.

I don't think that doctors are the main problem although they recoup their loans & profit just like everyone else that provides good service... Check this out..http://www.healthsystemtracker.org/interactive/health-spending-explorer/?display=U.S.%2520%2524%2520Billions&service=