Stupidity and its effects on international politics

[fpb]

A sentence from the political struggle in America has gone viral in Britain, as an example of the ignorance, stupidity and vicious prejudice that drives a certain part of American public opinion. This is the sentence: People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn't have a chance in the U.K., where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless. This piece of folly does not come from some twelve-reader blog out in freakland, but from the Investors' Business Daily, favoured and eagerly quoted intellectual leader of the conservative movement.

The Professor himself has just responded in no uncertain terms: "I wouldn't be here today if it were not for the NHS. I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived." For that matter, every Briton, indeed every European, who is disabled or has a disabled relative - which include yours truly - knows what to think of it. Indeed, the NHS as a whole is, without exception, the most respected and downright loved body in British society, with a level of public credibility and support that no other organization or group even dreams of. To use it as a kind of bogeyman is an outrage against everything the British hold dear, and I am not, repeat not, exaggerating.

Not that I harbour any hope that anyone over there might even pay attention. The self-absorption, the self-regard, the total unwillingness to learn from abroad, that are among the most infuriating characteristics of the American conservative mind, have reached the point of total separation from reality in this particular matter. Hysteria about "socialized medicine" has become so widespread among American conservatives that any response from Europe would only be met with a barrage of insults. (All right, American conservatives: if I am wrong - prove it!! But I forecast that this post will receive nothing from my conservative friends, except perhaps the odd attack on my motivations or morals.)

The IBD itself has tried to rewrite its outrageous original argument, without realizing that it is simply a minor part of a misrepresentation of the British experience so huge and deeply stupid as to discourage anything except contempt from anyone who actually knows the facts. The only thing they have seen fit to correct is the evidence that they were unaware of Professor Hawking's nationality, but they have not even begun to wrap their minds around the obvious fact that this gratuitous and grotesque howler is symptomatic of the fallacy in their whole argument - that they are talking about something that simply does not exist and that has no relation to reality.

Comments

[fellmama.livejournal.com]

Having spent several hours debating the issue with a friend the other night, I think the problem is this: there are some who see health care as an issue of social justice, regardless of the economics of the matter. There are some who see economics as paramount, regardless of their compassion for individuals. It's hard, if not impossible, to reconcile these worldviews.

(For the record, we both self-identify as Christians, and he stated that Jesus "only said that we have free will and we shouldn't do bad things." I think he should maybe consider doing a little reading in his spare time.)

For my part, I see health care reform in the US as an issue of both economics AND social justice, but the economic arguments are being lost in, as you say, the shrieking about "socialized medicine."

Indeed, "Too Stupid to Exist" was effectively demonstrated

[rfachir.livejournal.com]

The wackiest part of the argument is that we already have government run health care - for the very poor and very sick and very old. Letting the rest of us buy into it is the next logical step. We're just not taught to make the hard choices.. Most of us are not equipped to argue our position, if we can even think of all the consequences. That's what should be scaring our socks off. That we deny that other people to do it for us is the mystery at the heart of our collective anxiety.

[stigandnasty919.livejournal.com]

I don't understand the argument against the current reforms, mainly becuase I do not think I have seen a coherant argument put by anyone. All I have seen is vague references to the UK or Canada and how dreadful their systems are.

In many cases what it seems to boil down to is "I have health care, if everyone else gets free healthcare there won't be enough cash to look after me properly, so those people without health insurance can get stuffed.

I'd be interested in reading something that was more coherant in terms of the opposition to the plan if anyone can point me in that direction.

The ecconomics of helth care are important. Perhaps if the insurance companies and the health trusts were run as public companies for the good of the nation, rather than as profit making organisations, then the ecconomics would make more sense. But that would probably be described as socialism by some.

Its disturbing to see the lies and the misrepresentations about the health service of the UK in the current debate. Especially on shows presented by giys like Sean Hannity or Glen Beck. We all moan about the NHS, and at times the hospitals could do with a lick of paint. But free health care, provided according to need, is something we can be very proud off in the UK. (and lets remember, we have the option for private care as well)

[deansteinlage.livejournal.com]

If push came to shove, I would identify myself as more of a conservative than a liberal. I pray that I always strive to be an orthodox Catholic first.
I don't know if the originator of that smear was stirring the pot or projecting their own fears about the course they see the US taking. The end result is the same, tarring a group of people unfairly. The stupidity of not knowing that Professor Hawkings is British!
The health care reform bill going on here is a monster, but that does not justify grabbing anything that looks like a stick to beat it with.
For what its worth, I'm sorry about this.

[wyrdwood.livejournal.com]

The sheer ignorance of my fellow Americans concerning anything about other countries, especially health care, is appalling. In light of the current debate, it's actually life-threatening for those who really need health care. The fear-driven rage being expressed in the "town hells" might cause the whole effort to fail or become so watered down -- or worse, become a giant subsidy for private company profits without any actual improved practices -- that we'll be worse off than we are at present. If they'd only stuck to the idea of Medicare for all, without the convoluted, bureaucratic attempts to salvage the private insurance system, it would be far less confusing and fear-generating.