It is really impossible to criticize "Sicko"

[txprog]

It is too good. It is not supposed to be fair and balanced. We all know that there are two sides to every story, but Moore isn't interested in the other side. He wants to piss us off, open our eyes, and ask tough questions. And he entertains and moves us at the same time. What else can a movie do?

[deadmessengers]

1. Oh, someone will find a way

Believe me - the health insurance companies will find a way to criticize it. I'm sure they have small armies of researchers working on it right now.

[uppityperson]

3. yeah, michael moore is fat so there you go!

I am anxiously waiting to get it on DVD so I can get subtitles (hard of hearing).

[JDPriestly]

5. A high percentage of ordinary Americans are just as fat as Moore.

And they don't like other people to talk about it, so calling Moore fat is likely to get the health insurance industry nowhere.

[uppityperson]

6. I know, I remember hearing this about other stuff he's done.

That was what I was mimicking.

[fazoolius_2006]

4. You are so right.

I will be curious to see both politcal parties reaction to this film.

[Bridget Burke]

9. Someone will talk about all the "lies" in the film--but not list them.

Just like they didn't list the "lies" they claimed to find in his other films.

[napi21]

2. I suggest seeing the movie and making your own decision.

I haven't seen it, so all I can say right now is I am not and have not been happy with the HC system in the US! When I see the movie I will make my judgements based upon my experiences and those of friends where I know the facts. If there are critixisms that are deserved, I wouldn't hesitate to make them...no matter what side of the discussion they fall.

[Strawman]

7. At this point, I think the only debatable point is the how

I'm eager to see the film and decide where I stand on this. I think all progressives are tacking toward universal coverage. I think the debate is over what is the best way to get there.

What I'm trying to decide is whether I favor the approach of Conyers/Kucinich (which I believe MM has endorsed)
http://kucinich.us/issues/universalhealth.php

or the approach suggested by Jacob Hacker.

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/bookclub/2007/apr/10/thinking_big_and_thinking_realistically

[Strawman]

8. Here's an interesting comparison of the various HC proposals

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2007/march/universal_health_for.php

This author favors Conyers/Kucinich over Edwards'(which he contends is the same as Hacker's). However, Hacker's article cited in my previous post suggests that his proposal is not entriely the same as Edwards' as this author seems to suggest. Hacker seems to be concerned that the "competition" between the public and private sector in Edwards' proposal might be rigged in favor of the private sector, and argues that under fair competition the public sector will easily win.

[Bread and Circus]

14. Awesome link! I had a chance to meet w/ Conyers one on one

for 45 minutes and we discussed health care policy. It was a chance meeting because we were both waiting to get on the same plane from California to Michigan. We had a great discussion about his health plan and other issues.

[Bread and Circus]

16. Here's essential reading:

http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676_2.htm

for anyone interested in this topic.

[JANdad]

10. What exactly is the "Other Side"?

What is the other side to the story?

It is interesting the way you word your OP...

I would really like to read more of your thoughts.

Thanks

[txprog]

11. The other side...

The other side of the story? Something like, the US has the best hospitals and the best doctors and for every horror story there are many times more success stories, that most with insurance get the care they need and excellent care at that. And the universal systems in other countries are rife with problems too.

But I know these things. And so does just about every conscious American.

[txprog]

13. But I didn't know...

That Cuba has hospitals with modern equipment. Or that French doctors make house calls in the middle of the night. Or that a prescription in England costs about 10 bucks period. Or that an inhaler that costs $120.00 in the US costs 5 cents in Cuba. Or that hospitals in the US put people in cabs and send them to skid row.....

[JANdad]

17. Oh...that RW Bullshit story...

Thanks..I thought you were employing the Ann Coulter attack method...we can't criticize them...boo hoo.

If our system is so great...then WHY do we rank so low according to the WHO...

Here let me answer for you...Becase the WHO is an Ultra Liberal organization...yada yada yada...

THANKS FOR THE TRY THOUGH...NOW GO BACK TO FR

[txprog]

18. Are you directing this at ME or at potential critics?

THANKS FOR THE TRY THOUGH...NOW GO BACK TO FR

Hey, I'm obviously on your side. Of course. No matter how "good" our so-called system is, why are the outcomes not any better? And given that we are indeed the wealthiest country in the world, I'd say our outcomes are beyond pathetic.....

[Rex]

12. Nothing is impossible, Moore just shows us how things really work.

And THAT pisses people off IMO.

[Quixote1818]

15. Even Fox news admits there is a problem

however there idea of how to fix things is insane! The one thing Moore did with this movie is pick a problem that both the left and the right can rally around.

Lets not forget that it was the Republicans and Nixon who created our Health Care mess!