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GO OBAMA! HE IS the only answer to our problems in the USA. If we help him get elected, then he will take care of all the issues, with our help. WE all cannot do it alone without Obama, and the same is true for Obama also.

The time has chosen this time to elect Barack Obama!

Michelle, Dayton Ohio : September 8, 2007 9:18 pm

I don't believe government is to problem. I believe people are the problem. People came first. I believe in our system.

**I have yet to run into one person who admits that he/she is for Hillary. If they are for her, they must be ashamed of it and won't admit it.**

I admit with this posting. So far, I have met lot of male democrat voters who say they will not vote for hillary. Almost practically nill. Even in women voters, I hardly come across anybody who is passionate for hillary. But, I do have to admit that she has a passionate support among african americans. It is not a new news for democrats. Even with obama in the ticket 92 % of them will vote for democrats. Any thing below that, dems will have problem in winning the presidency.

Marc Davies : September 9, 2007

Thank for your comments. It is enlightening to have different views on this issue.

I'd just like to say that I dont' speak for all Canadians. But, I'm sure that there are some on both sides of the issue. And others who would criticize the system if they had to wait two weeks for a minor surgery that other citizens would be lucky to get in three months.

I also know people in the UK living in both rural and urban areas who have a much more complimentary view of their Health Care System. But again, I'm sure there are many in every locale with both positive and negative views.

I've never heard my UK friends mention a two tiers system? And we don't have a two tier system here. Everyone on Medicare here are provided the same services and care.

In my view, a government funded Health Care System that provides affordable, adequate health care and services for all levels of society is too good a deal to pass up. And with the added bonus of being able to buy into additional coverage if desired from private insurance companies is a win win situation. Again, that is only my view.

There will always be those in every society that feel because it is free there must be something wrong with it. And there will always be minor problems and aggrevations with every Health Care System. Even those with the highest ratings. So, I'd prefer to have reliable, adequate Health Care and not have to pay for the services or the minor problems and aggrevations that are bound to occur.

But to each their own. Please feel free to take what you like and leave the rest.

I'm not pushing Government Funded Health Care. I have no political affiliations. My only purpose in taking this time is to share my experience with our health care system. And to endeavour to give a fair and factual account of the same based on my experience in PEI.

I do feel Governments should ensure that all citizens have the right to adequate Health Care, regardless of where they reside or their ability to pay. All the best.

As a former resident of the UK, I can say for certain that American healthcare is more advanced and preferable to that in the UK.

There are two tiers to the UK system..."Coach"(the socialized version) and "First Class"(the private version). God help you if you travel Coach route. Long delays and second rate care. Preferable to third world countries, but not as good as care in the US.

I also know many Canadians who do not speak as highly of the system up North as Tricia always does. Government management of any enterprise seems to produce inferior results.

The answer isn't taking on the lobbyists in Washington by regulating and controlling the rules by which they play... the answer is throwing their fat as*** out. No one seems to be willing to say this. Hmmm, I wonder why?

I am amazed at the resistance to universal healthcare. We have Medicare and Medicaid to cover those segments but we still hear cries against providing health care for the working poor. Who do you think pays for Medicare and Medicaid? Our elected officials, local, state and federal workers receive free medical care. Who do you think pays for it?

We are more interested in paying for our never-ending military adventures than providing human services.

We can be proud of being the only 1st world country that does not provide universal healthcare. Why is that?
We may not provide universal healthcare but we do provide universal amazement as to what we consider important.

I have yet to run into one person who admits that he/she is for Hillary. If they are for her, they must be ashamed of it and won't admit it.

Edwards is right on track with the issue of change and represents the only contender for the presidency willing to stand up against the powers that stand in the way of "We the People."

It is intereting to see Edwards and Obama to take on Hillary, while Hillary instead takes on the republican administration.

This is a sign that Edwards and Obama worry losing their nomination bid by next February, while Hillary does not.

Isaac, an important point you are missing is this: In the US, hospitals are required to treat sick people regardless of their ability to pay. What ends up happening is that the costs of the unpaid service gets redistributed to those that do pay in the form of higher premiums. So as someone paying exhorbitant rates to cover my family, I am subsidising those who either cannot afford or refuse to get coverage.

Thank you Tricia M Charlottetown PEI Canada! The lies being pushed by the U.S. insurance/pharmaceutical industries are sickening.

A 4 month wait for a 20 minute appointment with a NP or, if you're lucky, a DA (doctors are for those with the "good" insurance) in a "world renowned hospital/clinic system" is typical. I could go on with more actual examples but my head will explode and it would mean months (and lots of forms to fill out) before I'd get an appointment.

Socialized medicine in Great Britain works! The only reason it gets trashed is because the insurance companies don't want to lose their big fat pig. Nobody in England will die because they can't see a doctor, or die because they can't get or afford medicine.

The socialized healthcare system, according to my daughter who lives there works as well.

These kind of scare tacticts are used to maintain the status quo...

Former Senator Edwards needs to be careful what he wishes for in the future.

I agree with strong Labor Unions, the right to organize and collective bargaining. However, anyone who doesn't believe a Labor Union is a special interest group or that Labor Union lobbyists are somehow different than other lobbyists is an idiot.

As with everything else in America you have to take the good with the bad. You have to find some way to work with those you disagree with, following the same rules, and overcome their arguments and lobbying efforts to do the greatest possible good.

By former Senator Edwards' standards and principles he would have to decline his recent Labor Union endorsements and money. Much like he declined his dividend checks from the mortgage companies that are foreclosing on Katrina victims.

Oh, sorry, I guess he kept that money. Apparently it didn't violate his principles.

Isaac, Louisville, KY

I would respectfully like to voice a difference of opinion on a few issues you speak to concerning our Canadian Health Care System.

I am not trying to defend our Canadian Health Care System. I am merely trying to provide a true picture versus the negative spin being put upon this system by those not stating actual facts. And quite frankly I believe unfactual statements about other Government Funded Health Care Systems is providing a disservice to the American People. It is providing a untrue and negative image of Government Health Care Systems that could provide them with Health Care that has to now been unaffordable thus unavailable to middle class Americans.

In my Province, Brain operations, cancer treatments, and re-attachment of limbs are medical services both provided and covered on our Provincial Medicare System. Our Province is the smallest in Canada but these services are still provided and if not available in our home Province they are available and covered in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario which are only at most a three hour drive or an hour flight. Now if you want the BEST Surgeon in the World you are free to wait months for an appointment and pay for it!

You stated: "In the current US system poor people can't get these procedures done without raising money, but in a Universal system NO ONE can get them done in a timely manner. There is always a line."
I COUNTER: This statement is NOT TRUE in PEI Canada. If one of our citizens has to go out of Province for a life and death treatment communities raise money for the family yes. But not to pay for the services attached to the treatment in another PRovince but to assist the family with lodging and travel costs. And whether the family need the assistance or not the community will still have a fund raiser to provide it.

You Stated:
"While I believe a hybrid system would be the most effective as far as providing the most care goes, the aforementioned especially expensive and difficult procedures will ALWAYS be a problem."

I Counter: This statement is also untrue in PEI. As I stated above these as you call them difficult procedures are not a problem here and are provided under our Medicare System.

You Stated:
"In Universal Health Care systems not only do poor people have trouble getting brain tumors taken care of, but the middle-class (who would sell their house to save the life of their spouse or child), and even the rich who could pay for it out of pocket, are put on a waiting list because the government can only perform a certain number of operations in any given period of time."
I Counter: This is also not true in PEI. Brain surgeries are performed in Moncton, N. B. and Halifax N.S. a one to three hour drive from here as needed. And Life threatening surgies in these areas DO NOT WAIT MONTHS. In fact a young man who fell off a Tractor onto a concrete loading deck last November suffered brain injuries as a result. He was immediately taken to Moncton, N.B. by air and brain surgery was performed immediately.

You Stated:
"I'm sure I don't have to waste my time to list all the possible different scenarios where waiting for 4 months for treatment is not advisable. For you Canadians, with respect (I have several Canadian friends), how many times have you read a story about a Canadian running off to the US for treatment because he or she couldn't wait for eventual treatment in Canada?"

I Counter: What Province do your Canadian Friends reside in? As I know of a few Canadians who have went to the US for various medical treatments and procedures. However, not due to long waiting periods for the treatment in Canada but rather due to the treatments and/or procedures not being available in Canada.

You Stated: "Let's say your wife has between 3 and 6 months to live. Her cancer is operable, but the system in Canada puts her on a waiting list. Waiting 4 months for tooth-bleaching is fine, but in this case it could very well mean the death of your spouse."
I Counter: Again, I have not heard of such extreme waiting periods here. If the wife lived in PEI and that surgery was not available here, or she would have to wait an indefinite period for such life threatening surgery, they would give her the option of going to another Maritime Province or another Canadian Province who could perform the said surgery in more timely fashion. And the surgery would still be covered in the Province providing the service.

You Stated: "I am currently working in Japan, actually, and they have a universal-type system here, too (it isn't free though, they pay about 30%). But Japanese have to travel to the US to get an organ transplant or other major procedures done."

I Counter: This is normal for many National Funded Health Care Systems. Not all Procedures are provided in all Provinces,States, and localities. The good news is with National Funded Health Care Systems regardless of where you have to go as long as it in the country you reside in it is covered by your National Funded Health Care System. Isn't that better than leaving present American tax payers without any possible means to receive the treatment, surgery, procedure they need BECAUSE they can't afford to pay for it?

No matter which way I look at the present American Health Care System it says to me that "Justice and Equality For All" does not exist where Health Care is concerned. If you can't pay, you dont' receive. This is not acceptable for anyone, anywhere.

And I can tell you in PEI if we were not on our present Medicare system and a citizen had a life and death situation at hand, one of our Professionals be they a doctor or surgeron would perform the service free. They would not be turned away due to not being able to pay for the service.

But it's your perogative to believe what you wish to believe. All I can tell you is the truth as I know it concerning our Medicare System. I've never had a problem receiving any treatments, surgeries, or procedures in a timely fashion. I can see my Doctor four times a week if I need to and I do not pay for my visits. If I need Xrays, Cat Scans, MRI's, Blood work, Cancer Treatments, etc. etc. I will receive all without the worry of having to pay thousands of dollars later. I wouldn't trade my Medicare System for any other private or fee paying system available.

Wearing jean in front of the union workers, but with a $400 haircut from donated funds, does not make John Edwards on equal footing with his union supporters.

Labour unions are also special interest groups too.

John Edwards is a hypocrite and speaks with both tongues.

This is all about Oprah's ego, plain and simple, end of story.

Obama is not ready for prime time and may never be. He is developing a terrible case of foot-in-mouth disease.

In addition, there may be some other "things" Obama may be worring about come February, and it ain't going to be the primaries.

It's ironic, to say the least, that Edwards was criticizing politicians who are influenced by special interest groups while he was "speaking before hundreds of cheering union members."

Edwards has no any hope, that's why he attacks frontrunner Hillary Clinton. Edwards, we don't care what you believe, we believe what we see. Most of people decided their mind, so you just waste time and make youself foolish. Sorry for Edwards and Obama.

Michelle- capitalism and free enterprise are certainly wonderful, and free-market competition is important for many reasons. However, in my opinion, there are two things that all Americans - as citizens of the greatest country in the world - should have access to in service of our nation's ultimate promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: HEALTHCARE and EDUCATION. These items are too important to leave to the market. Without providing healthcare to all citizens, we cannot claim to support any culture of life.

Coming from North Carolina, I have seen first hand how Edward's handles "change" and there is no way I will vote for him. I do not like any of the candidates, either side, however if one thing is for sure, its that I would never vote for Edwards

someone here pointed out the Bush-Clinton,Bush-Clinton stranglehold in Washington , and when you think about it, it's kind of embarrassing- it's as if we don't have anyone else qualified than these two families !

Hey, Henry Miller, Cary, NC : September 8, 2007 7:35 pm

You didn't answer my question at all.

For people who can NOT AFFORD to buy heatlh care. Should we

1) deny them access to care they can't pay for, even if that leads to their death

2) Require charities to pay for the health care of all Americans who don't have any health insurance if they need life saving treatment (for example, cancer treatment, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation)

3) continue what we do now, force hospitals that take the losses to raise costs so we can pay with higher insurance costs (My employer and I cover my family for $900/month – what do you pay Henry?).

4. Provide an adequate insurance plan/or direct heath cost coverage to everyone from the government paid by taxes from YOU and ME as a base and let people buy "Premium" insurance (People like YOU and ME) on their own. The tax cost will be far less then what it costs currently to pay for the uninsured (YOU and I are paying much higher insurance costs than we would if hospitals didn't have to charge so much).

Answer the question, Henry. Saying there are lost of private insurers out there is stupid if people can't afford to buy a policy. 47 MILLION people don't have insurance. Henry, what about them. What do you tell them to do????

I don't know why but I have a big problem with this guy. I can just see his spin doctors hoping his wife keels over so they can get the sympathy vote, and MAYBE get a chance at the white house....

Thank you, Isaac in Louisville. I think you have articulated what I meant to say much better than I actually said I strongly agree with your points. And I'd like to second the motion that we stop attacking each other, only seeing one point of view, and put our heads together to figure out the optimal (although surely not perfect) solution. We're smarter than those goons in Washington.

Both Hillary and Edwards stand for big government. You will see higher taxes with both of them, and more and more entitlement programs for people who don't particularly want to work. Hill and Edw. will both expand welfare, (courtesy of your taxes and my taxes) instead of telling able-bodied people to go seek a job.

There is still over a year to go, so alot can still happen.
And alot of information is still left to come out when this campaign starts 'heating up'.

But I know this – anybody who believes that Hillary Clinton is a "candidate of change" is severely misguided, and hasn't paid attention to anything the Clintons did while in the White House or that Hillary Clinton has done as so called Senator of New York. Look it up and read the facts. She is more of what we have now, and more 'business as usual.' And this woman will say or do ANYTHING that she helps will get her elected. She is a professional LIAR.

The Clintons are guilty of so many crimes, it is a wonder that they never went to prison. And they have ties to the Bush family and this current administration. They gave (sold) US Missile technology to China, they started NAFTA and cost millions of jobs, they rented the White House for political contributions, they allegedly sold presidential pardons.

The past 20 years are Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush. And you think you will change anything by electing Clinton again?

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.

In principle the idea of universal healthcare is a beautiful thing. But it seems that no one on either side of the debate is willing to look at it objectively.

There are definitely some good points, which are lauded plenty by half of the people on this board.

But they are over-lauded. In the US, when was the last time you saw a poor uninsured family put up posters all over town to raise money to help their kid get a cut stitched up? I grew up in a poor family, living off of not nearly enough government food, and for the majority of my adult life I have had no insurance. Even in the US where medicine is WAY too expensive (due mostly to corrupt lawyers and litigious morons), us poor people can get most small things that need to be taken care of dealt with.

The PROBLEM is when BIG things come along. Often poor people will have no alternative but to try to raise money somehow.

But these problems are solved in Universal Health Care right? WRONG.

In Universal Health Care systems not only do poor people have trouble getting brain tumors taken care of, but the middle-class (who would sell their house to save the life of their spouse or child), and even the rich who could pay for it out of pocket, are put on a waiting list because the government can only perform a certain number of operations in any given period of time.

I'm sure I don't have to waste my time to list all the possible different scenarios where waiting for 4 months for treatment is not advisable. For you Canadians, with respect (I have several Canadian friends), how many times have you read a story about a Canadian running off to the US for treatment because he or she couldn't wait for eventual treatment in Canada?

Let's say your wife has between 3 and 6 months to live. Her cancer is operable, but the system in Canada puts her on a waiting list. Waiting 4 months for tooth-bleaching is fine, but in this case it could very well mean the death of your spouse.

Look, any reasonable person, after some thought, will agree that some hybrid system is going to be the socially responsible way to go... but over-promotion mixed with the convenient cover-up of facts will do NOTHING to improve the situation. It just destroys the legitimacy of one's position.

For Americans, there are a few things we need to do: First we need to deal with the corrupt-lawyer-litigious-moron problem. As an extreme example, requiring ALL patients to sign forms BEFORE treatment prohibiting them from any legal actions against doctors or hospitals(this could be balanced by mandating that any doctor's or hospital's record be instantly and easily available, complaints, accusations and all). This one act would go a long way towards reducing medical costs in the US.

We could also talk salary-caps, profit-caps for procedures and medicines, government subsidization of equipment manufacturing and so on.

But even having done all we can do in those areas... brain operations, cancer treatment, re-attachment of limbs, etc. will continue to be prohibitively expensive for some time. In the current US system poor people can't get these procedures done without raising money, but in a Universal system NO ONE can get them done in a timely manner. There is always a line.

While I believe a hybrid system would be the most effective as far as providing the most care goes, the aforementioned especially expensive and difficult procedures will ALWAYS be a problem.

Sadly, what I seem to see is people on either side just trying to defend THEIR system... no one seems to truly be interested in finding the best way to make sure the greatest good is done.

I am currently working in Japan, actually, and they have a universal-type system here, too (it isn't free though, they pay about 30%). But Japanese have to travel to the US to get an organ transplant or other major procedures done.

No country in the world has this problem licked. This is partially because a perfect medical care system is impossible (at least currently), but perhaps mostly due to the fact that most people, especially the most vocal ones, only seek to defend 'their' systems and attack others systems.

Not useful at all. But we seem to be used to superficial, useless 'dialog' on these CNN boards.

Obama/Edwards in 08, or Edwards/Richardson in 08.......We need diversity!!!!Hillary is tough, but I miss Al Gore....

"He should go get his hair cut! Hillary is still the best chance we have of beating the republicans."

Edwards might actually do well in the south. In modern political arena, a canditate like clinton, with more unfavorable ratings than favorable ratings have never won the presidency. It will be hard fought election and will be determined by Ohio(especially franklin county). Can you name one southern state that will break for clinton?

Ok, suppose I go along with the fact that corporations are evil and are corrupting our healthcare system right now. Is there anything we can do as citizens/consumers to fix the problem? We know the government has a track record of stepping in to fix things and making them even worse, so why is universal healthcare our only option? If we go this route, politicians influenced by their financial sponsors or lobbyists can incorporate the same corruption into the healthcare system as people say corporations are doing now, right? Not to mention the HUGE overhead costs involved in anything the government does. People complain healthcare is so expensive. Do you really, REALLY believe it will be more affordable if its a universal system (does the $500 hammer cliche come to mind?). ? I'm not trying to attack anyone's viewpoints, I'm honestly asking for answers from people who are for this system. I work for the gov't now as a contractor, and I can't believe the waste and poor decisions I have personally witnessed.
One thing I will say, with a more negative tone, unfortunately – I don't think I should have to pay for your doctor bills if you break your arm because of your extreme sports hobbies, or because you bought a new car instead of paying for health insurance. Sorry.

PS – Michelle, you’re right about this gang in Washington right now. How many billions of dollars of tax payer money unaccounted for in Iraq? That’s why they need to go… and yesterday isn’t soon enough. It’s your tax dollar. You decide.

Michelle, Dayton Ohio

You tell me why private enterprise can't handle the health care issues of the United States? I would love to hear your answer.

If you follow the simple premise that corporations put their money where the profits are, it becomes quite clear. Don't quote me on this, but I think the number of lobbyists in Washington has increased something like four-fold since Bush took office. A simple example of their power is seen in the Medicare drug prescription legislation. Remember how many millions were given to Insurance organizations?

I know you want to believe that "free enterprise" is at work here, but it's simply not true. The longer you fail to believe what is going on right in front of you, the longer it will take and the more difficult it will be to turn it around. The information is right in front of you. All you have to do is see it.

Again, there is a reason corporate America is spending on lobbyists and it's not to make your life better.

edwards needs to get a life .stop bashing other canidates and let us know what he is about, if anything... we don't hear no new ideas from this southern lawyer

Lyons Steve, SB, Baltimore, MD,

I am a Canadian, and I can tell you that you are Wrong about Canadian Health Care. And you should watch Sicko because Michael Moore speaks the truth. Maybe you just don't want to hear it but it is the truth.

Hillary was and still is trying to provide Socialized Health Care for the benefit of those who can't afford the egregious costs of medical services and adequate health care. And I can't for the life of me understand why Americans are so adamant upon looking a gift horse in the mouth. If your rich good for you,Socialized Health Care won't change your present system or deprive you of having one. If your not rich you should jump on the band wagon for Socialized Health Care.

Americans should do the research and get the truth about Government Sponsponsored/Socialized Health Care instead of letting those who obviously don't understand the stystem fill you with misconceptions and untruths.

And before the hate mail starts piling in, call me an idiot if you like. I won't bother me as I know I speak the truth. Do you?

I don't believe capitalism will fix the issues with healthcare. It is part of the problem. When we let for profit insurance companies make the decisions over doctor recommendations, there is something very wrong. I represent the middle class, work for public education, definitely pay my dues to society and healthcare is not something that comes easily for me. Just for a wellness check this year, my out of pocket costs were $500. There is something seriously wrong with our system. I know people that live in countries that have government run healthcare and they do not complain with the level of care that they get. When the middle class has to suffer so much, it's time for change. The lower class already receives medicare, which definitely is a government run program partially paid for by the middle class. It would be nice to be able to buy into something more available for the middle class without huge costs along with it. Buying health insurance through my workplace this year was like shopping for a wireless phone contract. There were four different plans with increasingly better or worse coverage depending on how one looks at it. To get regular coverage would cost me $300 a month (the plan I was on when I had to pay the $500 for a wellness check). Medical expenses should not be such a huge fear.

People that think only the upper class deserves good healthcare appear very selfish indeed. I would like to know that all people in our society are valued, and that no one would be turned away due to lack of insurance.

I do believe our government is run by lobbyists and corporations. They have the money to be very influential. I also think that most of the candidates would favor big business over what's right for the population. That's why Obama is the only candidate that I trust. I do think that Romney's health care program in Massachusetts speaks much about him though.

After living the last eight years in the USA, and the previous 27 in Australia (which has socialized medicine), I'm still amazed at people who suggest (as Henry Miller from NC does) that it doesn't work. Sure, you don't have as great access as under private health cover (even there).... but at least you had a choice.

I managed to injure myself often, crashing bikes, motorcycles, breaking thumbs and requiring stiches (often), and would simply show up with a "Medicare" card and not a single dollar, and was fixed up as good as new. I'd rather a longer wait in line that a co-pay that requires a personal loan.

I'm a huge fan of privatisation in general... but human health is not something I'd suggest putting in the hands of those whose motivation is profit, versus those whose motivation is satifying people who can vote them out based on their performance.

To Dan from Texas: "For the people that have NO health insurance now. Do you believe they should have government provided health insurance or not?"

Of course not–there are lots private insurers out there. And if you're asking if I think the rest of us should be forced to pay even more taxes to make "government provided health insurance" possible, of course not.

When did the government of the US become everyone's Big Brother? When did it become acceptable for people to sponge off strangers? And worse, to invoke the power of government to compel productive, tax-paying, people to subsidise those strangers? Government doesn't create money, you know. All it can do is forcibly deprive people of the fruits of their own
efforts.

And, BTW, I'm supposed to accept "Sicko" as an authoritative source for anything?

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Why do people assume that those who oppose "universal healthcare" don't care about the poor or needy? The question really is, why is it the GOVERNMENT that has to handle it? Why can't private citizens and charitable non-profit organizations provide help to those who need it. A great example is the set of Shriner's hospitals all over the country. Of course, there are problems with the health-care system in our country, but let competition in the system of capitalism fix the issue, not the government. Personally, with the set of folks we have in Washington right now, I don't understand how anyone could trust them to properly handle an issue as complex and important as this anyway.

A. Thomas…. This isn’t a horse race. It’s a campaign for the presidency of the United States for goodness sake. I’m sure you’re just forgetting about polls and where they’ve gone in the past. Remember Kerry’s numbers before Iowa?
“I dont understand why John Edwards and his wife keep trashing Hillary, although John mentioned last week that he would not trash other candidates, and although both are democrats.”
Since when is talking about where you disagree with somebody an “attack?”

Did some of you have to take an idiotcy test to post here? You are against special interest & lobbyist. Don't deal with them. Don't take their money. Edwards & Obma in 08. All of you are delusional and misguided. What do you think the union are? What do you think the Nurses Association is? What do you think the PTA is? Are you saying they don't have a right to support, endorse and contribute the candidates of their choosing? Obama won't take special interest money but he takes money from CEO's of special interests.
You are so blinded by your hatred of Hillary you can see the hypocracy of your own candidates and yourselves.

I've been looking for somebody with the courage to take on the lobbyists in Washington and the corporations they represent for 35 years. It’s time to end corporate welfare and put the government back in the hands of those it was created to serve.

Bravo to Senator Edwards who has the guts to take these people on while others cower behind "reason." This man has my vote and he should have the vote of every single American, of every party, that cares about the future of this country over the future of corporate interests.

I am a Canadian and I will tell you once again that our as you call it "Socialized" Medicine or as we call it, Medicare, WORKS. And for all levels of society in our Province.

If those who can afford and want to pay for new or improved or unapproved in Canada treatments,or want to go elsewhere either in Canada or abroad for the same, they are free to go and pay for those services! And they are also free to buy into other Health Benefit/Care Programs while still receiving Socialized/Medicare coverage.

BUT, and this is big BUT. Those who are less fortunate, who are middle class wage earners, seniors, that can't afford to pay for Health Care are covered and receive adequate professional Health Care services via Medicare. Our Citizens are covered right from yearly physicals, labour and deliveries, to Cat Scans, MRI's, Surgeries, Cancer Treatments, etc. etc. AND NO WE DO NOT PAY any more taxes than you do. And No we do not have egregiously long waits for XRays, Surgeries, etc. in my province. And if a treatment is serious and requires immediate booking it is prioritized. But I'd rather wait two weeks than have a bill for thousands of dollars.

To, Henry Miller, Cary, NC, I would just like to say that, I feel those who can afford to pay for Health Care Services are doing the middle class, single mothers and less fortunate a great disservice by criticizing and degrading "Socialized" Medicare Health Programs. I could not think of paying for visits to my Family Physician, Surgeries, Cat Scans or Hospital Stays. I definitely wouldn't trade our Health Care System for your US system unless I was a millionaire. And those who can afford to pay for such services have the option of purchasing additional Health Care Packages or services.

Does Edwards not realize that accepting union endorsements is accepting something from special interests? He is ridiculous on this point. There are many groups that do necessary work that are considered special interests groups ... that does not make them bad. His comments about these groups is way too general to make sense.

He should go get his hair cut! Hillary is still the best chance we have of beating the republicans.

Edwards has good things going for him, but he is no longer a Senator. That's an error that CNN should correct.

Obama/Edwards for 08! Let's send Clinton and the corporate machine packing!

Henry Miller: Go see Sicko. It will be worth the $6 investment.

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Hilary's socialised medicine idiocy wasn't killed by big, bad, bogey-man "lobbyists,"
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Of course it was. If you don't understand the power of big corporate lobbyists, perhaps you're not qualified to speak on this subject at all.

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...it was killed be people with the sense to realise that socialised medicine just doesn't work.
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Watch "Sicko." You're another one of these new phenomenon, the brainwashed knee-jerk right winger. Socialized medicine works wonderfully.
Know any Brits? Ask them how socialized medicine works. Ask any Canadiens you know.

Then come back and apologize for your ignorance. Thank you.

No worries about health care costs. Now, THAT'S living.

And if you think our current system is working well, with nearly 50 million Americans uninsured, maybe you just don't give a damn about people, which makes you the WORST choice to decide on our health care system.

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It's been demonstrated over and over again, in countries all over the planet, that socialised medicine offers little but mediocre, slowly delivered, medical (lack of) care.
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Grow up. Educate yourself. You sound like an idiot.

Angie in Elko:
I understand that John Edwards healthcare plan will mandate specific tests and treatments for all. Do you really want the government to make healthcare decisions for you? I like Edwards, but I don't want the government anywhere near my healthcare decisions. Didn't Terry Schiavo suffer enough without government involvement? Something to think about.

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“She says you bring change by working within the system established by the Constitution. I think the system has been corrupted by corporate powers never contemplated by the Constitution. This is not the government of, by and for the people that our founding fathers intended. There is no principled compromise between the ways things have always been and the way things can be.”
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Wow. You can't be more on the money, especially re: corporations, than Edwards is here. I don't think he has much of a chance, but on this subject and on health care, he represents exactly what I believe.

“In the America I believe in, we don’t compromise on our principles, we fight for them with every single thing that we got,” Senator Edwards said. ~ ok Senator Edwards, so don't compromise on your principle of fighting poverty in America by tearing down your huge house and putting up some low income housing. What a buffoon.

Henry Miller says It's been demonstrated over and over again, in countries all over the planet, that socialised medicine offers little but mediocre, slowly delivered, medical (lack of) care.
But, perhaps, that's okay as far as the like of Hilary and John Edwards are concerned–if good health care isn't available to the "poor," then it shouldn't be available to those nasty "rich" people either.

For the people that have NO health insurance now. Do you believe they should have government provided health insurance or not? If yes, then you are for universal health care. If no, what are you for? Do you just want survival of the fittest to be the rule. If you can't afford an operation to save your life, tough, just die? Is that what you believe? Tell me, Henry Miller, univeral health care to cover the uninsured, or let the poor die. What's your plan?

I dont understand why John Edwards and his wife keep trashing Hillary, although John mentioned last week that he would not trash other candidates, and although both are democrats.

I do not recall Hillary tried to trash him. I recall Hillary said during one CNN debate that all the dems candidates are good and better than those republican candidates.

In addition, I do no recall Hillary's husband has trashed John Edwards either. In fact, in the Larry King interview earlier this week, Bill said that all the dems candiates are good, although he thinks his wife is more qualified or experienced to be the next president.

As a dems candidate, why doesn't John Edwards spend more time in trashing the republican party candidates, and in promoting what he can do for the country if he gets elected?

As I see it, John & his wife are getting desperate. Their poll standing are not getting any high and in fact on the way down. By Feb next year, his 2nd presidential bid, and political life, will be over.

Edwards IS a populist as well as Obama – they talk what people want to hear. Now, does it mean that he's going to get ANYTHING done from his agenda? No. These one term senators with big-mouth wives, if elected, will be another 4 year embarassments or even diosaster in a curren world situation. And don't compare them to Bush – it's hardly possible to do worse than him. Both ultra-liberals and neocons in this country will never learn that only moderate, like Clinton or Guliani should be a chief executive, not Edwards, Brownback, Obama or Thompson.

Hilary's socialised medicine idiocy wasn't killed by big, bad, bogey-man "lobbyists," it was killed be people with the sense to realise that socialised medicine just doesn't work. It's been demonstrated over and over again, in countries all over the planet, that socialised medicine offers little but mediocre, slowly delivered, medical (lack of) care.

But, perhaps, that's okay as far as the like of Hilary and John Edwards are concerned–if good health care isn't available to the "poor," then it shouldn't be available to those nasty "rich" people either.

I am not American. I cannot vote.

Can anyone give us some insights on this candidate? Ms Edwards is usually there, alongside him, in a very visible manner. I really like that. It speaks mountains for the capacity of women.

My only puzzling note is his Hollywoodianazation as of late: $400 hair cuts, shedding several pounds, and the like. Is that really necessary to be an effective President?

Good for you ! Hit harder, tell the truth, we are with you

Although I will probably vote for Obama, I appreciate Edwards efforts. We need universal health care. The rich can opt to supplement that by buying access to the very best doctors and technology. But everyone has to have some level of coverage.

People who are too poor to afford insurance or have made the choice to not pay for insurance in order to buy other things (only to later find they can' t afford to pay health costs out of pocket) need to be protected. Otherwise we all are paying for their situation anyway.

My 18 year-old daughter went to see a band play at a local bar. (I don't necessarily approve, but in Texas she is an adult at age 18 and I have no legal right to stop her. I digress here, but I want to tell another story to show how frustrating it is to be a parent these days. One night she wanted to go out late and I said 'no'. She owns her own car and said it was her car, she's an adult and I can't stop her. I took her car keys. She called the police. The police came and said that I could give my 18 year old her car keys so she could go out – who knows where- or I could go to jail. Either way, she was going to get her keys. I have to say I both was upset but also proud of her... She is an adult. She is also a brilliant student and is starting college this year on a full ride based on scholarships for academic excellence).

Anyway, back to the health care story. She got dizzy at the end of the night. Probably from dehydration. The owner, to avoid any possible liability, insisted that she go to the hospital to be checked. You guessed it, nothing wrong, just needed a glass of water.

The hosptial bill was $3600. After insurance paid its portion, I still had a $900 bill on my hands. I pay $300 a month, and my employer pays $600 a month for my insurance plan. Do you agree with me that something is wrong with health care insurance and health care costs. Really, $3600 to give my daughter a glass of water?? Ok, they did all kinds of tests but common sense should have dictated, hey, she's probably got overheated and dehydrated. Where is common sense?

I don't agree that people should be required to go to a doctor for preventative care, but everyone should have the option.

Go Edwards! Yes! Only HE has the best health care plan of the top tier candidates because he will let you CHOOSE if you want a not-for-profit plan or if you want to stick with insurance companies. CHOICE LEADS TO CHANGE! EDWARDS FOR CHANGE!

Edwards is right about the fact that Hillary Clinton is the ultimate status quo candidate.

However, Barack Obama would do the best job of correcting what needs to be corrected.

[Funky]-A, Bubba! Shrillary feeds at the lobbyists teats, and her health care hobby as First Lady was illegally conducted in secret, which condemned it to failure even if deals were made.