I imagine there are pros and cons to socialized medicine, but to be honest when people can't get even basic care, then we need some kind of univsersal health care system.

Disability insurance is going the way of health care too....

Try getting life insurance if you are in the least bit sick! Plus if you lose your job you lose your health and life insurance....People on LTD get fired, and by the time things get thru the legal system, if they get thru the legal system....they have lost a lot of financial ground, if not all of it. Not to mention the emotional pain of the 'fight' and how it contributes to the person's physical illness. All our health care benefits are 'job based' or entitlement programs for which the middle class bears more and more of the burden to pay for.

Unfortunately most of the world is 'third world' and has no access or very limited access....are we becoming more third world by the day or am I just imagining it? It is kind of like the proverbial 'boiling the frog in the pot'. We are all just getting used to paying more for less....and less...and less. Technology is great, but what if you have no insurance? What if medicare goes broke? What if social security goes broke? Medicare and social security have only been around for a short period in time....and we all feel like they are established institutions.

I have adequate health care and income, so I am not complaining about my own situation....yet....but even the middle class can hold on for only so long.

Yeah, I know I sound like gloom and doom, but many don't see the situation as a problem until it hits home.

All you can do is fight the fight with all you have and hope for the best. Choose docs and lawyers with care.....you know the curse...."May your life be full of doctors and lawyers."