> But concerning health care systems, let me just say this: It is a shame and
 > an embarrassment that the U.S.A. -- which claims to be the richest, and the
 > most powerful nation on Earth -- has such an ineffective, malfunctioning
 > health care system. The U.S. Government spends billions a year on its wars,
 > and on propping up friendly dictatorships and other governments, while it
 > ignores the needs of its own people.

I agree. I'm also a little of a rant here. Since the universal health care
idea came out, I've had heavy fire in some places because I earned Tricare
Prime and it's rates. This it seems to some is 'unfair' ever after 26 years
service and that due to my service connected disabilities, that I am
'uninsurable' (and definately not covered for pre-existing) for myself and
family.

In the meantime, even *with* Tricare I am out about 100$ a month.  30$ of
that this month are directly attributable injury to wartime action.  The rest
are largely due to things on going 'pre-existing' due to our age which no one
else *will* cover.

So, at 1200$ a year for dual service retirees, it's a cost we can work with. 
We have no choice afterall as no one else will touch us. I checked.  Closest
we got was 3,500 a month and had a cap of (outragious) less than that a year
for each of us.
        
*sigh* rant off.
            xxcarol
--- SBBSecho 2.11-Win32