I have had skin cancer surgeries in 2 countries: the U.S., with "hope you can afford the deductible" insurance, and Portugal with single-payer/universal/socialized medicine.

In the U.S. (in 2001): Notice growth on ear. Call to see primary care. Get into appointment 2 days later. Get a referral to a dermatologist. Wait 2 weeks for the insurance company to approve referral. Get into dermatologist 1 week later and have a biopsy. The biopsy showed it was squamous cell carcinoma, a type of cancer usually found in folks over 60 (I was 23 or 24). Dermatologist puts in for an approval for surgery which is denied twice over 3 weeks because “the biopsy was wrong.” Get in 2 days later for another biopsy, which, surprise!, shows it really is squamous cell carcinoma. After another week of wrangling with the insurance company, we finally get approval for surgery. Surgery is scheduled for 1 week later. So, from noticing the growth to surgery about 8 weeks.

In Portugal (5 years later): Notice growth on ear. I call primary care and am transferred to the dermatologist. Get same day appointment. Dermatologist looks at it, picks up the phone and calls the plastic surgeon. We walk down the hall to the plastic surgeon. Both doctors consult their schedules, and I’m scheduled for surgery 2 days later. So, from noticing the growth on the ear to surgery about 2 days.

Again, to show you the difference: In the U.S. without universal healthcare, about $1000 out-of-pocket and 8 weeks until surgery. In Portugal with universal healthcare, about $60 out-of-pocket and 2 days until surgery.

When Congress says we can’t afford universal healthcare, they are saying, “We can’t afford to not make the insurance companies money because they fund our campaigns.” It isn’t about the best interest of Americans, it’s about their own best interest.

Religion teaches you that you need to toil all your life for the elites, and you're going to reap the reward in the afterlife. That is, if such a thing exists. If it doesn't, it's not like you're going to be around to complain.

Capitalism teaches you that you need to toil most of your life for the elites, and you're going to reap the reward of a nice, cozy retirement. That is, if you live long enough to enjoy it. If you don't, it's not like you're going to be around to complain.

Well, technically you may not be healthy enough, or have a pension high enough, to actually enjoy the retirement. But it's not their fault — you haven't been taking good care of yourself, you haven't been working hard enough, or perhaps it's the fault of these lazy youngsters, or immigrants, or… In either case, if you were a good, god-fearing person, you're still up for the other reward, right?

Oh, and in both cases, it's important to reproduce. We must breed, so that future generations can continue toiling for the elites.

#AntiCapitalism