Today's discussion about the news
Comments
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I can understand people seeing it as a warning to those who think they can treat people with disdain whilst hoping to hide behind corporate anonymity. I suspect there's a few CEOs wondering if they might get the same treatment. However, it's hardly a shock that the police are putting so much effort into finding the killer considering it is world news. The bigger surprise is they haven't already found them considering the CCTV footage, if you knew the person I'm pretty sure you could recognise them from that.
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I wish I'd screencapped a couple of BSky posts this morning about US health insurers - one had withdrawn the agreement to pay up for a knee replacement after the operation had been done, leaving the knee-ee with a 5-figure bill to meet unexpectedly, and the other had withdrawn the agreement the day before some life-saving surgery (IIRC). Obviously doesn't justify murder, but the rapaciousness of the US health insurance industry seems to know no bounds (see the earlier comment about anaesthetics).
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A significant majority seem to think he has the blood of thousands on his hands, and therefore are wondering whether it is just his wealth that means the police are looking for the killer. I suspect you are right that there is a lot of media attention due to his wealth and that is the actual reason.
Nonetheless, the social media discussion around the state of healthcare in the US is pretty shocking. I never thought it was great, but I wasn't aware of the strategy where they intentionally deny legitimate claims and then defend them in court in order to put people off. I just thought it was the uninsured lot that suffered.
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Look at the reaction on reddit
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Yes, I was just reading about those sort of cases. Apparently, they claim that someone involved in the surgery (e.g. the anaesthetist) was out of coverage, so deny the preagreed claim.
There are also the people that call ambulances and find the wrong one comes, so they have to pay.
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It feels like the sort of system that's going to thrive even more under Trump. It's the sort of business model he would love.
As for "doesn't justify murder", I think failing to pay out for life-saving treatment starts putting it into the eye for an eye category. It's like these people don't realise they are dealing with human beings.
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For some people everything is about the bottom line and money. I know the below is only a quote from a film but I have met people who genuinely believe this to be the case. I certainly believe it of Trump.
"The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed -- for lack of a better word -- is good.
Greed is right.
Greed works.
Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.
Greed, in all of its forms -- greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge -- has marked the upward surge of mankind.
And greed -- you mark my words -- will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Capitalism doesn't work without greed. Very few people believe that free market capitalism will deliver all desirable outcomes. Healthcare and environmental protections being two examples of where it tends to fail.
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Imo there's a difference between success and pure greed.
I fear that the next 4 years could highlight all the downsides of capitalism in practical ways.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Similar to my comment to Brian yesterday (or the day before) when he posted the article about anaesthetics not being provided, this is a legal / regulatory issue rather than an issue relating to capitalism. Capitalists will always act in the way that capitalists do. It's the legal / regulatory system's job (i.e. the people responsible for the system) to make sure the worst excesses of capitalism are contained.
It's perfectly possible to do this, if the will is there, as airline maintenance (and numerous European healthcare systems) demonstrates. Unless they don't actually have the cash, airlines will always comply with regulatory requirements re maintenance. The cost of not doing so is just too great. e.g. the FAA in the US can ground an entire airline for maintenance failings, and that's basically most likely the end of the airline. Even the more benign scenario of not being able to sell a plane that has an incomplete maintenance record is best avoided.
Similarly, if there are no finance related issues, the quality of healthcare in private hospitals in the US is incredible. The fear of being sued for negligence doubtless keeps folk on their toes.
Conversely, OFWAT is ****ing hopeless (*) and the government has no obvious interest in doing anything about this.
(*) My sister worked there in HR and per her accounts, the big cheeses were only really excited by complex financial models. Actually regulating for the benefit of the man in the street wasn't particularly high up anyone's to-do list.
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I would happily give that some credence if only Trump wasn't going to be President for the next 4 years.
Your post is far too logical for the guy who has already said that he will be a dictator.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
This is exactly why I said earlier that this type of healthcare system will thrive under Trump. He's more likely to remove regulation than increase it and is also opposed to universal health provision. If it makes him and / or his cronies more money then it's good in his books - regulation won't do that so has to go.
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The irony is the massive wads of cash that healthcare & drug companies extract from 'consumers' in order to fund politicians... the whole political system has evolved to maintain the status quo: the healthcare industry (insurers, medical profession and drug companies) finances politicians, and they aren't going to bite the hand that feeds them by imposing stricter controls on practices and pricing (though credit to Biden for the insulin price cap).
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A pretty fireworks display in Tbilisi tonight... no idea why riot police have subsequently interrupted the jollities...
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Possibly not good for Ukraine with Russia having one less war diverting resources
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I see it as more of a symptom of how much of a strain is on Russia, that they could not sustain the relatively modest resources needed to fuck about with the middle east.
There's more to it than Russia anyway. Assad was propped up by Hezbollah and Iran I believe, both of whom are somewhat distracted.
This is a very careful what you wish for moment though, because there are numerous other factions that consider themselves potential governments in parts of Syria. And the ones who have Damascus are not exactly moderate.
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Amazing that after such a very long running civil war, the end has come so quickly.
Let's hope there is as smooth a transition as possible, and the new regime is open minded.
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Er...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/08/who-are-the-syrian-rebels-who-have-captured-damascus-explained-in-30-seconds
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Have been reading a few 'yet more fallout from the collapse of the Great Powers' analyses.
For example.
1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
One of the prisoners released was imprisoned 46 years ago for beating Bashar's brother in a horse race.
1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
The world's most popular assassin just got more popular. Turns out he is a handsome educated chap with a wealthy background.
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He's not very good looking though, which might devalue the Netflix deal.
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Needs to work on his disguises / keeping his identity secret if he's going to make a career from it. Popping into Starbucks before a hit and facing directly into the CCTV with a poorly covered face is a bit amateur, The Jackal would have had full prosthetic make up on.
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I've read a lot of comments from women that disagree with this.
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Great, that means the monobrow is back in fashion.
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https://www.dw.com/en/germany-starts-syrian-migration-debate-after-assads-fall/a-71011692
The Germans have come up with a cunning plan to deal with their Syrian migrants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCbfAK6g4vs&ab_channel=JamieLee1997
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I do like that. Haven't seen a dinosaur scrap like that since watching one of the Jurassic Park movies 😊
Also one for the irony thread in that article: 'Some members of the Unite union working for Unite went on strike last week and are formally in dispute with their employer. The irony of staff in Unite’s ‘Bargaining and Disputes Support Unit’ going on strike has not been lost on union figures.' 😄
"I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]0
