[cardiacpaul]

[i]I love how shamelessly you psychologize a person you know nothing about, looking for cheap rhetoric when you should be looking to argue the point on its own merits.[/I]

I know a little about this guy...
Its me. savings (almost 7 figures) gone, house, gone. 401k, gone, IRA, gone. and I STILL have just about half a mil in medical bills that will NEVER be paid.
so, spend a while in the real world.

Without medicare and supplimental insurance (out of pocket about 4300.00 a year...medicare, insurance, deductibles, and co-pays.), my medications alone would be a bit over 1400.00 per month.

Yes, I paid into it, most years, I paid the max. almost 30 years I paid.
Just what color is the sky in your world?
Apparently you've never had a medical problem, or been so silver-spooned, you have no idea about costs.
walk a mile big guy, until then, I remain in reality.

Any impact prior medical history has on anyone's employment options stems from the disasters that follow from the political mentality behind our pathetic healthcare system.

Bullshite.
I've had hiring managers tell me I would be a huge insurance liability. Imagine if you will, if I'm driving to a clients site and I have another "cardiac event" and run into someone, who gets sued?
Imagine I'm banging away at a clients keyboard, and I have a cardiac event, falling face first onto their keyboard, who get sued for emotional distreaa? not me. Therefore, liability issues. That may or not be the gov'ts faule, I don't know, and I don't care, all I know is you have a hard time securing gainful employment afterward, (dick cheney not withstanding)

"but you're OK with the state taking money away from the more able (that's where the money is) to provide a standard of living for people that repeatedly act against their own interests?"

Ahh, my myopic friend, now we get to it.
I had, I paid, I purchased, I planned. I took steps. I did what any prudent person would do. And ~ Its not enough. period.
Are you saying that those who have keep and those who don't fend for themselves?

If so, I certainly wish you well, and hope the hell you never get cancer, heart attack, parkinsons, or have a family member inflicted, because there is a rude awakening due.

"Unless you turn off the presumptions and psychologizing, we're done here. Unless you stop pointing to the horrible consequences of government interference and attributing them to freedom, I can't see that I have much else to say."

I have seen first hand the "presumptions" of which you speak.
I have been involved with the deregulation of telecom. I also can see where SWB nee At&T has once again monopolized the industry, LDC, ILEC and Cell. Was this the intent of Judge Green? I doubt it.
I have first hand knowledge of the health care crisis in the US and of government intervention in same and in MY life. I don't see where your opinions are any more than the rantings of a libertarian that has no experience of any concequence. It all looks good on paper, in practice, its all good, till something happens to YOU. So, I agree, we're done.