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Just want to point out many Americans already have a tax burden above 40% when you consider federal, state, local, fica, and sales taxes.
I know I do. And I'm certainly not at the top of the tax scale either.
Many friends are absolutely floored when I sit down with them and actually show them how much in taxes they are paying. It really is ridiculous.
My largest I guess concerns with public healthcare are twofold.
1. It will result in larger government, and almost assuredly used as an excuse to raise taxes. You can disagree and say that the current system is already "run by the government" - however, no matter what it WILL be used as an excuse to increase the tax burden on Americans whether needed or not.
2. Less choice. Sure, there probably isn't a whole lot of choice in the system as it stands today. However, if you truly can afford it - you can get any sort of care you want immediately. That will not be an option in a public system. There needs to be a way to implement a public system that does not LOWER standards for anyone, while raising the standards for the disadvantaged.
If those two concerns could be met, then I'd be happy with a public health system. If I can walk to the doctor to get a strep check, and not have to wait 2 weeks for it (where I may as well just tough it out at that point), I'm pretty happy and it's an improvement for me. However, I've actually talked with Canadians and the like. There ARE reasons they come here for some health care. In general, it seems that they are extremely happy with their system for "large" things like say heart attacks, major injuries, etc. But pretty turned off from it by smaller less urgent things where queues can measure in months.
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