The First:
On the way into work this morning I was listening to the radio and the hosts were talking about dog fighting and how in some parts of the States it was not seen as a bad thing just like how in some parts of the world cock fighting and bull fighting are acceptable forms of entertainment. At which point one host says*:
"But we are not talking about some other part of the world, we are talking about the United States of America, and there should be one belief system."
At which point I gaped at the radio with disbelief. You'd be lucky to find a consistent belief system in any individual much less one amoungst 300 million people spread over the fourth largest country in the world. And even assuming she's not talking about actual belief but morals and ethics, its still very "absolutionist" (yes I made that up) of the host to demand that everyone in the country have the same moral and ethical boundaries.
While I appreciate the sentiment that cruelty to animals for our sport is unacceptable, I prefer to depend on laws created by elected officials to determine what's right and wrong for others instead of my opinions.
* = from memory
The Second:
I'm not a fan of Dalton McGuinty and his Ontario Liberals, and I'm never been fond of the NDP, but I have to express some support for the proposed Dental Insurance act that the Liberals stole from the NDP this week. Like medical wellbeing, healthy teeth should not be dependent on your financial standing. I know some people who don't go to the dentist because food and mortgage payments are more pressing concerns and I worry for those children who have seen a dentist once years ago.
We are a first world country, we should act like it. I'd pay more in taxes to insure basic health coverage for all.
5 comments:
More socialist medicine schemes is not what we need. This is us placing one foot onto a slippery slope that leads to medicare-style dentistry. Not good.
In addition, if the Liberals get elected and actually hold to that promise, the very first thing that you'll see happen is companies will stop funding dental plans for their employees and let the state pick it up instead.
Bad, bad, terrible policy idea.
I understand where you are coming from, but people without work-sponsored dental insurance are left out in the cold and that I think is unacceptable. Some basic coverage is required.
Why? You motivate your argument solely with this statement: "Like medical wellbeing, healthy teeth should not be dependent on your financial standing."
I want a pony but can't afford one.
Like medical wellbeing, access to a personal pony should not be dependent on financial standing.
*holds out hand* Gimme.
Sweet - used my WoW-blog account. I r teh smatz.
I wondered why I recognized that name...
I think you are comparing apples and oranges here. A pony would be a luxury, but medical issues with teeth in children can lead to further medical problems down the road. A routine medical examine can detect oral cancers, prevent small cavities from turning into root canals and extractions, etc.
A child with parent's that cannot afford a pony is not suffering. A child with a painful tooth ache and parent's that cannot afford a dentist and no dental insurance through work is suffering.
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