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Guess What Greece Has To Jettison to Rescue their Economy? (Just guess before peeking)
Investors Business Daily ^ | 05/14/2010

Posted on 05/14/2010 7:09:07 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Greece was told that if it wanted a bailout, it needed to consider privatizing its government health care system. So tell us again why the U.S. is following Europe's welfare state model.

The requirement, part of a deal arranged by the IMF, the European Union and the European Central bank, is a tacit admission that national health care programs are unsustainable. Along with transportation and energy, the bailout group, according to the New York Times, wants the Greek government to remove "the state from the marketplace in crucial sectors."

This is not some cranky or politically motivated demand. It is a condition based on the ugly reality of government medicine. The Times reports that economists - not right-wingers opposed to health care who want to blow up Times Square - say liberalizing "the health care industry would help bring down prices in these areas, which are among the highest in Europe."

Of course most of the media have been largely silent about the health care privatization measure for Greece, as it conflicts with their universal, single-payer health care narrative.

The public health system in the Hellenic Republic is operated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, where centralized decisions and rules are made.

It provides free or low-cost treatment through what is essentially a single-payer system established in 1983 when the Socialist Party was in power. Family members and retirees are also covered. Like the systems in Britain and Canada, it has agonizingly long waiting lists.

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearmarkets.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bailout; bhohealthcare; deathpanels; debt; democrats; economy; elections; governmenthealthcare; governmentmedicine; greece; healthcare; ibd; illegalaliencare; lping; obama; obamacare; obamacareclassaction; repealobamacare; romney; romneycare; singlepayer; socialism; socialistdemocrats; socialisthealthcare; socializedmedicine
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It should be no surprise that in Greece, health care spending as a percentage of the economy is relatively steep. According to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development data, it's higher than that in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan. Despite all the spending, Greece could never cover 100% of its citizens, reaching only about 83% for primary care.

Today, the patient most in need of a room in the intensive-care ward is Greece itself - what with government debt nearing 120% of GDP and the deficit at 13% of GDP.

The mere possibility of government spending cuts sent striking workers and public employees into the streets. Groups upset with the budget cuts have protested, rioted, looted and killed.

1 posted on 05/14/2010 7:09:07 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
But... but... but... Dear Reader promised that national health care would SAVE us money! He wouldn't lie, would he?
2 posted on 05/14/2010 7:12:05 AM PDT by Zeddicus
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To: SeekAndFind
Let this be the benchmark to repeal our Healthcare Bill come November.
3 posted on 05/14/2010 7:13:34 AM PDT by Art in Idaho
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To: Art in Idaho

Hahahahahahaha! LOL! nobama and other LIB/DIM morons take note. Hahahahahaha!


4 posted on 05/14/2010 7:15:11 AM PDT by hal ogen ($10 (I think) amounts through the internet from all over the world.)
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To: Zeddicus
Dear Reader promised that national health care would SAVE us money!

I gather that you, like me, saw the puppet movie, TEAM AMERICA.
5 posted on 05/14/2010 7:15:27 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: nutmeg

Ping


6 posted on 05/14/2010 7:16:07 AM PDT by EdReform (Oath Keepers - Guardians of the Republic - Honor your oath - Join us: www.oathkeepers.org)
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To: SeekAndFind; ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas; stephenjohnbanker; DoughtyOne; genetic homophobe; ...
RE :”Greece was told that if it wanted a bailout, it needed to consider privatizing its government health care system. So tell us again why the U.S. is following Europe’s welfare state model. The requirement, part of a deal arranged by the IMF, the European Union and the European Central bank, is a tacit admission that national health care programs are unsustainable. Along with transportation and energy, the bailout group, according to the New York Times, wants the Greek government to remove “the state from the marketplace in crucial sectors.

Thanks S+F ! This is priceless..truly priceless. Think the RNC and congressional republicans will be smart enough to run with this?

7 posted on 05/14/2010 7:17:14 AM PDT by sickoflibs ( "It's not the taxes, the redistribution is the federal spending=tax delayed")
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To: SeekAndFind

BUMP


8 posted on 05/14/2010 7:18:02 AM PDT by BunnySlippers (I LOVE BULL MARKETS . . .)
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To: Art in Idaho

Let this be the benchmark to repeal our Healthcare Bill come November.


Indeed. After removing the democrat vermin, obamacare should be the next thing to go.

Also, consider joining the Obamacare Class Action Lawsuit

"The purpose of this lawsuit is to reverse Supreme Court precedent related to the Commerce clause and thereby overturn Obamacare. The Supreme Court has historically erred in its interpretation of the Constitutional role of the Federal Government. Recent Supreme Court rulings hint that they may be willing to take another look at Commerce clause precedent. Obamacare is so over reaching and so onerous, that it must either be repealed in Congress or struck down in the courts. We must fight this on both fronts. This is our historic opportunity to reverse America’s trend toward Socialism by overturning this unconstitutional precedent.

If you are a US citizen and agree with the goal of this lawsuit, please join us. If you have concerns about joining, please review the FAQs for more information. Every person we add strengthens the voice of "We the People".



9 posted on 05/14/2010 7:24:07 AM PDT by EdReform (Oath Keepers - Guardians of the Republic - Honor your oath - Join us: www.oathkeepers.org)
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To: hal ogen

So tell us again why the U.S. is following Europe’s welfare state model.

It is not about healthcare for Americans it is about government control and none of it is working according to the Marxists plans. Chavez rule is crumbling like 0s will be in November and beyond with the grace of God!
It’s a good day!!!!


10 posted on 05/14/2010 7:24:16 AM PDT by Bitsy
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To: sickoflibs

LOL, not a chance they’ll figure it out. Its not called the stupid party for nothing. The dems and republicans are the ultimate Dumb and Dumber act.


11 posted on 05/14/2010 7:26:03 AM PDT by 556x45
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To: sickoflibs

LOL, not a chance they’ll figure it out. Its not called the stupid party for nothing. The dems and republicans are the ultimate Dumb and Dumber act.


12 posted on 05/14/2010 7:26:32 AM PDT by 556x45
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To: SeekAndFind

Where is that picture with Obama dressed in a toga?


13 posted on 05/14/2010 7:29:42 AM PDT by HereInTheHeartland (Chairman Mao was a community organizer)
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To: 556x45

They don’t want to figure it out.


14 posted on 05/14/2010 7:31:17 AM PDT by conservativebuckeye
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To: Abathar; Abcdefg; Abram; Abundy; akatel; albertp; AlexandriaDuke; Alexander Rubin; Allerious; ...
Funny how things come full circle, ain't it??!?



Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!
View past Libertarian pings here
15 posted on 05/14/2010 7:31:45 AM PDT by bamahead (Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master. -- Sallust)
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To: EdReform
Thanks for the info. Didn't know about the Class Action Lawsuit. Will check it out.
16 posted on 05/14/2010 7:33:15 AM PDT by Art in Idaho
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To: SeekAndFind

Greece is just the tip of the “iceberg” wait till the debt tsunami hits other european countries with even greater debt problems than greece.


17 posted on 05/14/2010 7:37:11 AM PDT by gitmogrunt
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To: SeekAndFind


Guess What Greece Has To Jettison to Rescue their Economy? (Just guess before peeking)

Not a real shocker.
Maybe a month ago, I read that France has decided to not go forward
with their version of “cap and trade”.

Their reasoning? “Cap and trade” would be a job-killer.

Certainly hasn’t been real reporting on this policy decision.
Our journalists wouldn’t want to offend their Messiah.


18 posted on 05/14/2010 7:40:30 AM PDT by VOA
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To: Art in Idaho

Great! I joined last month. The deadline for joining in May 31. Please pass the information on.


19 posted on 05/14/2010 7:41:02 AM PDT by EdReform (Oath Keepers - Guardians of the Republic - Honor your oath - Join us: www.oathkeepers.org)
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To: SeekAndFind
“...bailout group, according to the New York Times, wants the Greek government to remove “the state from the marketplace in crucial sectors.”

This is too rich!

However, unless the proverbial writing on the wall is P R I N T E D and IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, Liberals won't get the message!

20 posted on 05/14/2010 7:43:48 AM PDT by SMARTY ("What luck for leaders that men do not think". A. Hitler)
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