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Originally Posted by CDSmith
Indeed. In fact there are dozens of old threads on GFY where various individuals, nearly every one a US citizen, have had (or supposedly had) a bad illness, or major surgery, or horrible accident, and DID NOT have medical insurance and were now stuck with a huge bill to pay. You know, the donation threads. Please help.
I admit, I did send money to a few of them myself, but I always thought in the back of my mind "who in their right mind would live in the USA and not have health isurance?" But I realize it's not as black and white as all that. Some simply couldn't afford it. A few just never got it, like maybe they were just too cheap to spend the money at the time. Whatever the reason, it's sad when it happens. How does someone making 30 or 40K per year pay off a $150K medical bill? (and still keep one's house, car, life etc)
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for me personally, this is where i am conflicted. like a guy on a street corner asking for money. is it a scam? will he buy booze? is he insane? is he off his medication? does he just make 200.00 a day doing this, so he has no need for a job? will i give him 20.00 to make myself feel better so i can pat myself on the back and say "you know, i'm a good person" knowing in the back of my mind that i just bought him cheap booze?
this was a country that was founded on the idea of the individual and self reliance. as i guess is enevitable, it devolved into a country of people looking where to place blame, where to get a handout etc etc etc.
for me personally, i would like to see the line drawn somewhere in the middle. i don't want to pay for the guy who can always have new 200.00 designer jeans every week and loves clubbing but "can't afford health care" - but i wouldn't mind paying for those who truly need it and can't afford it.
i hate the idea of writing a blank check to be abused... as people tend to do.
i hate sending a message that says "hey, here's one more important responsibility in life that you do not need to be accountable for in any way, shape or form"