~> -> -Socialism might be OK for having fire departments, police, national
~> -> defense, streets and highways, medicare, VA hospitals, and national
~> parks,
~> -> but NOT for my health care!
 
~> What is medicare if not health care?

First, it relates to medical care, which is only a small subset of "health
care."  Second, it does not provide medical care.  It provides payment. 
Third, it is not socialism of medical care, although Sauer's political
heroes called it "socialism."
 
~> The system as it is is costing more and more (Twice that of other
~> countries) and something is going to have to be done.

An intelligent approach to making policy is not to just do "something" but
to consider what the problems are, what is causing them, and how can those
causes be dealt with without creating other problems.  The most basic
aspect of increasing prices is an imbalance between supply and demand.  Do
you propose increasing supply of medical care, or reducing demand?

My guess is that medical care probably costs more in the US than in Sri
Lanka or Guatemala.  But it might be worth more.
 
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