84b1e5b5   
   XPost: can.politics, ab.general, ab.politics   
   From: someone@somewhere.net   
      
   simplicity wrote:   
      
   > All I want from you is your opinion on the subject of countless G$   
   > spent vs quality of service we, Canadians are receiving. Is it   
   > adequate to money spent? Should we expect more and better?   
   >   
   >   
      
   this is more complicated than anyone could hope to answer.   
      
   first, we look at our population by age demographic.   
   Lets say currently about 40% are 65 or over.   
   Many of them have paid into medicare all their life, and are nearing the   
   point where age- related illnesses (arthritis, heart and lung problems,   
   etc) are starting to appear.   
   This demographic is starting to take its toll on the system, due in part   
   to mismanaging of healthcare prior to Paul Martin's run as finance minister.   
      
   Next we look to the economy, where we see people earning less, and   
   spending less, leaving a smaller tax base from which to continue funding   
     healthcare.   
      
   Next is basis for comparison- whenever people compare country a v.   
   country b., inevitably they ignore various important details extant   
   between them (i.e. geography, distance between cities, other logistical   
   inequities).   
      
   I won't dig into economic conditions of the last 60 years- I would be in   
   over my head, even though I am certain from what I read (now where DID I   
   write down those links....?) previously that there is a wealth of data   
   there.   
      
   Short answer- managing a health system which is constantly changing as   
   the needs of the population change, is difficult.   
   There are pitfalls that our government fell into, and some that they   
   avoided.   
   They could have done a better job, but they might have bungled it   
   altogether.   
   I give them a B-.   
   I want what we all want- a Cadillac healthcare, on a Civic budget.   
   What sort of comprimise we will be asked to make at some point, I don't   
   know.   
   I am fearful, but optimistic.   
   My- our government, please don't fail. Ever.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)