Major "told you so" development

[Lorax]

In a sense, I agree, don't lower yourself down to the bottom to trade blows with Lorax.

Like you never have!!!

LOL!!!

A little self-loathing, perhaps?

[Lorax]

Lorax, I just came back from Taiwan. In may ways, the US is much more of a nanny state than Taiwan resulting in diminishing lifestyle choices here. I saw all sort of things there that some regulation or other would make illegal here. I went into a crowded upstairs restaurant at which there was a flame and a grill built into each table. The streets were crowded with vendors selling fresh fish, meat, and vegetables - even betal nuts. The west side of the country is a hodgepodge mixture of small factories, residences, and rice paddies all mixed together. We have instead opted to regulate everyone out of business and the last ones standing are the Walmarts, Goldman Sachs, and Humanas.

On the other hand, Taipei has a much better light rail system than almost any US city, a bullet train runs the length of the country, and Taiwan has an affordable government health care system.

The small point I am trying to make is that other countries have a different mix of socialist initiatives. Taiwan's day to day life and business sector seemed more libertarian than our own but its infrastructure is has more government input. Socialist and capitalist initiative do co-exist in different mixtures in different countries.

Tell me, what sort of health care and transportation system does Taiwan have?

Are they government supported, paid for by the government?

[ccbatson]

For most people, health care there is nonexistent or voodoo.

[elganned]

Oh, so they have a Republican health-care program: If you get sick, die quick.

[Lorax]

For most people, health care there is nonexistent or voodoo.

Rethuglicans are good at VooDoo, and at doo doo as well.

Just think Reagan and Bush, economics, and all.

And the health scare scenario- like Bush's one time FDA appointee, Dr. W. David Hager who stated that "prayer" was a good remedy for women suffering PMS. And he was a gynecologist by trade!!

He also refused to prescribe birth control, since it "offended" his so-called morality.

Not to be confused with Bush's other sexually twisted up appointee to the post of Surgeon General, Dr. James Holsinger of Kentucky, who had bizarre views on homosexuality that bordered on the titillating. Looks like he'd of been more comfortable sharing a stall with toe-tapping Larry Craig than he would have as Surgeon General.

Leave it to the Tushies!

[rb336]

For most people, health care there is nonexistent or voodoo.

more xenophobia from the master

try to learn something:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...wangetshealthy

[ccbatson]

Listed as services are "chinese medicine" and "physiotherapy"...of course it is cheap...try a bit of stretching and acupuncture the next time you need a pacemaker for an arrythmia.

[East Detroit]

Just think Reagan and Bush, economics, and all.

George Bush [[the one with the actual resume) is the one who coined the phrase "voodoo economics."

[oladub]

Tell me, what sort of health care and transportation system does Taiwan have?

Are they government supported, paid for by the government?

I haven't researched the Taiwan health care system but can provide one anecdote. While being shown around the mountains near Huelein, where there was a 6.4 quake four days later, a fellow I was with stumbled and cut his cheek, scraped his hand, and his knee. His wife took the first aid kit out of their car and put a bandage on his cheek which wasn't even bleeding. I was surprised when a few hours later, when we were in Huelein, that he decided to go into the emergency room at the local hospital. He did about 4 minutes of paperwork showing his national health card. The doctor immediately rebandaged his cut, announced he was ok, and the patient bill was $11. The balance was paid with taxes. He was happy with his health care plan.
Attachment 4474


Taiwan is about the size of Indiana with 18M people of which 1M are economic immigrants. Taiwan's birth rate is very low. Steep mountains occupy the easter 2/3 of the country. Services are inexpensive in Taiwan but goods are about the same price as here. I never worried anout crime while there even though my hotel turned out to be in a red light district [[mostly Philipino girls I think). Loved the food markets except for the smell of "stinky tofu". I didn't buy anything with feet or head on either. I got smart and started carrying a plastic fork in my back pocket.

The subway system in Taipei is awesome and extensive. Trains come along every three minutes and usually are packed during rush hour. Touch your wallet to the FOB to get on the subway and again when getting off. It also lets one know how many Taiwan dollars are still on your $500 Taiwan Dollar [[$16 US) transit card. The length of the ride and time of day determine the charge. The bus system is also very extensive. Parking is in short supply. Scooters may outnumber cars. They are easy to park but their drivers are maniacs.

Attachment 4475
Taipei subway - the Blue Line -every three minutes.

The national train system pretty much consists of a train going up each coast and a bullet train along the west coast. Because of some Typhoon repair problems, I couldn't access the scenic east coat train so I took the equivalent to a Greyhound from the south to north of Taiwan; 5 hours, $12.60US. The bullet train took 1.5 hours and cost $41US for comparison.

One thing I would like to add. There are tens of thousands of mainland Chinese tourists all over Taiwan. Some of the immigrant population is also from the mainland. The relations between Taiwan and China are not as strained as our government and media would have us believe.

[Lorax]

Sounds like we could learn a few things about taking care of our own from the Taiwanese.