Comments on: Giuliani highlights cancer battle in new ad

By: jon, chicago, il

jon, chicago, il — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:58:05 +0000

anyone who thinks socialized medicine is a good idea shut up and go live in a country that does, it is not even an argument. for someone who cannot afford premiums, get a better job. If you can't get a better job. If you can't get a better job go to school. if you can't go to school because your stupid, why should i have to pay for your health care premiums via my tax dollar. I don't work for free, I work for myself and for my family. Taxes on most of my income are close to 40%, any higher and maybe i'll quit my business, quit providing jobs for others that puts food on their table, and collect welfare, and free health care. There needs to be incentive to work, wages and health care are a nice incentive.

By: MIKE ADKINS,CHARLOTTE,NC

MIKE ADKINS,CHARLOTTE,NC — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:48:58 +0000

i'm happy for rudy that he recovered from prostate cancer but when are they going to do something about his brain tumor?

By: Jeff, Richmond, VA

Jeff, Richmond, VA — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 05:36:28 +0000

Giuliani IS cancer!

By: Unknown

Unknown — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:48:01 +0000

All of you are such a bunch of know- it- alls. Think what you want, but you are way off course. You should never assume something you know nothing about.

By: Pat BGWA

Pat BGWA — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:47:19 +0000

Hey Ronnie Knoxville TN
Answer is not to your questions- -except the gas guzzler. Can't Afford
a new energy efficient car. How 'bout you trade with me? Since you know what all of these "LUXURIES" cost I'm sure you enjoy paying for them. Moron!

By: Moe, NY

Moe, NY — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:50:25 +0000

Ronnie – Knoxvill, Tn...the answer to your blog is NO to all of your questions. Glad you are healthy and obviously have and can afford health insurance, but there are over 46 million people in this country who cannot. Stop thinking of yourself, find some compassion for other people. Step into the real America...open your eyes and see what is going on or not as the case may be!

By: Edw. J - Springfield Ma.

Edw. J - Springfield Ma. — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:04:06 +0000

I think the government should work together with the private medical field to make it possible for giving the people the best of both worlds. I don't want some bureaucrat or govt employee making decisions about my health or making me wait in long lines.

By: Brandon, Tampa, FL

Brandon, Tampa, FL — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:28:17 +0000

What bizarro universe is Rudy Guiliani living in?

By: doremus jessup

doremus jessup — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:07:13 +0000

Rudy, if you were a regular person in America you would know insurance companies simply won't insure many people, the very ones that need it most. A large "pool" of individuals, e.g. subscribers through a large company or institution benefit by reduced cost. How is "indivudual insurance" going to help those that aren't included under these catagories? Of course the insurance companies and large corporations would love to have their insurance obligations reduced by eliminating the peole that need it most because they now get a "tax break." Give the American people a break from your polical rhetoric. Your plan is designed to pander to the ignorant, appeal to the greedy insurance and corporate hogs while doing nothing to promote real health care and well being. Go back to defending NYC from terrorists and mobsters. They're nastier and meaner than the sick and crippled individual you're attacking with your nutty, greedy, misinformed plan.

By: ronnie - knoxville, tn.

ronnie - knoxville, tn. — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:55:10 +0000

to those who think they can't afford medical ins.

Do you buy coffee everyday? That's 900.00 per year.

Do you have to go to first-run movies? That's 800.00 per year.

Do you eat meals out more than once per week? That's anywhere from $2,000.00 to $5,000.00 per year;

Do you buy one DVD per month? That's 300.00 to $500.00 per year.

Do you go through fast food places once or twice per week instead of making food yourself? That's from $700.00 to $1000.00 per year.

Do you drive a gas-guzzler? That's from $1200.00 to $3000.00 per year more than an energy efficient car.

Is there enough already taken out of your taxes on payday? Or should they take another ten per cent from your check for health care? Whether you cut back on the luxuries or they take more taxes, you're going to have to pay for health care. Wouldn't you rather not let the politicians decide who gets care and who is denied?

By: therealist

therealist — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:10:03 +0000

So unless you are rich and white. -Jon

?? All the black people that I work with have the best healthcare in the world too. No, we're not rich. And no, we can not afford to fork over more tax dollars to a democrat nor do we want to fork over more tax dollars to a democrat for less healthcare service than we have right now. Period.

By: al, San Francisco, CA

al, San Francisco, CA — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:54:45 +0000

What is the use of the $7500 income deduction on the tax return if you cannot afford to pay the medical expenses in the first place? Besides, the govt only partially subsidize the medical payments based on the person's marginal tax rate.

Caution: Giuliani spins and is an idiot.

By: Mary V, OH

Mary V, OH — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:42:52 +0000

Are you kidding, I've lived in Canada with their health care program and you can have it. Why do you think so many Canadians cross into the US for the care they need but can't get there in a timely manner. That's why we moved back to the states!!!

By: Pall Forloney, Riomaggiore, Italy

Pall Forloney, Riomaggiore, Italy — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:32:30 +0000

A little something about socialized medicine, it is not what you people think it is. You can not walk into the doctors office and say I want to have my problem taken care of. It will take months of paper work and checking into and the after a year they will tell you when you can go to the hospital. You need other insurance to carry you as well as socialized medicine. The real problem is that the doctors and hospitals charge to much for everything. I am going in to have a 5 hour operation on my hand next month. I will stay in the hospital for 3 days and the cost is 1,454.34 Euro total. Now you tell me where are you going to get this done in the US for this price? By the way this is being paid for by my extra insurance that I carry.
So before you jump up for the govt. insurance, look be for you leep.

By: Ken, Tucson, AZ

Ken, Tucson, AZ — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:03:23 +0000

Those deductions that Rudy proposes assumes that everyone has a job that pays enough for those deductions to be used. If you have a family of four and earn less than $50,000 a year, the deductions are worthless.

By: Sam, IA

Sam, IA — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:56:38 +0000

I always love this dodge. The ole give em a tax deduction scam. They know that the people who they are targeting these deductions to don't make enough to have that much of a tax burden. The sad fact is that in america you are more likely to survive because less people are diagnosed. Many are never seen until the end game has set in and the cancer has spread thoughout thier system thus the diagnoses is not simply prostate cancer.
I don't see a large influx of Canandian migrant workers sneaking across the border to escape thier healthcare. Post your hate radio factoids, or should i say fictionoids.

By: Jim,Tarrytown,ny

Jim,Tarrytown,ny — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 06:52:36 +0000

Rude Rudi does not know what he is talking about.Yes most Doctors and insurance companies agree whith morons like rudi-they are making the money.But most Americans are"dying" to see a better health system than the one we have now or the one suggested by the unethical Giuliani.

By: Ivan, Chicago, Illinois

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 06:21:24 +0000

Mr. Giuliani who are you trying to fool? A family of four earning $60,000 a year would only be eligible for a $5028 deduction. Nowhere near the cost of health insurance.
I believe that with health care costing $1000 a month a family of four would need an income around $90,000 a year.
So again another idea that sounds good but is not. So back to the drawing board for you.

By: Rick, Kansas City, MO

Rick, Kansas City, MO — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:34:19 +0000

Socialism only looks good on paper. Look how well it worked out for the USSR.

Eugene Debs is long gone; we don't need HRC to replace him.

By: Liberal Chic

Liberal Chic — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:19:57 +0000

I am not saying we should have universal health care, though some form of it with basic coverage (not every type of experiemental drug or million dollar treatment) would probably be good for America. But I would like to hear Giuliani say he doesn't want universal health care if he didn't have insurance or made low wages. How is a single person going to afford a $7500 for insurance, even with deductions, if he only makes $20K a year? Or how about if you are unemployed and looking for a job? From where is that $7500 going to come?

This is one of those dumb, merit-less arguments Giuliani is going to make to attack Democrats. Why doesn't he and Judi enjoy the good life in the Hamptons and leave politics alone? None of us begrudge his speaking fees as a result of 9/11.

By: Owen Vander, Evansville, IN

Owen Vander, Evansville, IN — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:13:41 +0000

Do the people who need health insurance for their families pay at least $15,000 in income taxes??? How much help will this deduction be to families who can not currently afford health insurance and, for example, pay $1000 in income taxes? Please advise me Rudy??? All I see of your proposal is another handout to the well off....

By: JD, Birmingham, Ala

JD, Birmingham, Ala — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:02:08 +0000

Why can't the newsmedia Google? Rudy's chances of survival were just as good in England. I wonder if his employer paid for his insurance? As a lifelong feaster at the public trough, I'm sure he accepted publicly financed health care.

By: Tim, El Cerrito Ca

Tim, El Cerrito Ca — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:36:43 +0000

This is typical Republican lies and distortions. When are the Republicans going to wake up and realize they are the ones without any credibility?

By: Andrew, Atlanta, GA

Andrew, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:06:10 +0000

I know – this guy knows NOTHING about health care systems. It's unbelievable that he compares the U.S. to what is probably regarded as the worst known socialized medicine system – England. Really, that's desperate. The fact of the matter is that the U.S. has one of the worst overall mortality rates of all western countries. You can't pick out the success rate of treatment of ONE disease and then pretend it represents the effectiveness of the health care system in general. Really, if this man has this lack of intelligence about health care, where else is he lacking? It's either lack of intelligence or lack of morality – he purposely tries to deceive others by misrepresenting a entire health care system with one, limited example. You choose. Either way, it's not good.

By: xtina - chicago IL

xtina - chicago IL — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:01:13 +0000

This totally makes sense. Give us a tax deduction to buy our own health care instead of taking more taxes from our checks and letting the federal government run our health care choices. Either way, we pay for it, why give the power to the government?

By: harold

harold — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:44:24 +0000

her health care is not socialist,i dont see where with your plan,that anyone can go out and get there own can't afford yours,she is right Universal health care for all americans once the system is in it will work.don't let these repbubs,quit spending there theory on war,and we wouldnt me in this mess.you follow bush to much

By: Virginia, Rock Island, IL

Virginia, Rock Island, IL — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:42:06 +0000

When I studied in Spain seven years ago, my host family had *private* insurance – in a country that has socialized medicine. Living there really drove home to me that it's not an either-or choice of private OR single-payer funded health care.

A government run health care system would more efficiently pay for the cases hospitals are currently forced to take on as charity cases – which they then bill the government for. Our tax dollars are already paying for this, but we can get better results for our same money.

People who currently have private insurance would largely continue to buy it, and this group would still receive the lower wait times and expanded treatment options that go with being willing to pay a premium for your care.

People who currently receive good health care would continue to do so. People who currently receive abysmal health care would upgrade to merely inferior. What's to object to about that?

By: anthony wade, vancouver, british columbia

anthony wade, vancouver, british columbia — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:33:03 +0000

yup – canada has a good health care system but we also have 50% tax for a manager of a McDonalds. I would take the USA healthcare any day – and the tax dollars back! Socialism sucks – I know cuz I live with it.

By: Peter, Wausau, WI

Peter, Wausau, WI — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:27:29 +0000

Very true! While I don't plan to vote for Rudy (instead, vote for Fred Thompson!), I respect his efforts to stand up against the socialist liberals.

By: linda, bella vista, ar

linda, bella vista, ar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:21:58 +0000

You don't seemed to be posting comments, but I am going to try on this one. Someone actually checked Rudy's figures on this one. The actual UK survival rate is 74.4%. The discussion is that the difference is that the US has promoted early detection to get men to 'discuss' associated difficulties with their doctors. The early detection is the difference in the survival rate, not the difference in treatment.

By: Ivan, Chicago, Illinois

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:21:37 +0000

Figures lie and liars figure.
Enough said.

By: Grover Fairfield, Ohio

Grover Fairfield, Ohio — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:20:16 +0000

I cannot believe how the opponents of single payer government backed health care keep repeating the lies about universal health care. They exaggerate the negatives and down play the positives, and exaggerate the cost. I cannot believe how the opponents of single payer government backed health care keep repeating the lies about universal health care. They exaggerate the negatives and down play the positives, and exaggerate the cost. The US spends in many cases exponentially more than the rest of the countries in the 'advanced' world, and gets a far lesser result, and it is getting worse.

I read an article by a woman who had recently moved here from Australia.

Basically she said the only medical services that the people of Australia had to wait on were elective surgery. The cost was a 1.5% tax.

The cost is far less than what the opponents predict. In the case of Giuliani, where would have been little or no wait with a system like Australia, Canada, or England.

So Rudy, cut the BS.

By: Farrell, Houston, Tx

Farrell, Houston, Tx — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:19:43 +0000

To Pat in Huntington ny: Thanks for replying for me because again Giuliani just opens his mouth without correct facts.

By: Brandi,ny

Brandi,ny — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:56:20 +0000

I am not talking about myself in case anybody thinks that, I am talking about a family member who lives in N.J. who I really don't care very much about. She just always talks kind of slow and forgets she told you things.

By: Brandi,ny

Brandi,ny — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:30:32 +0000

I am NOT being unkind, but maybe that is what is wrong with Rudy. If he had kemo-therapy they say that it affects your brain slightly.

By: jw, canadian,ok

jw, canadian,ok — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:29:54 +0000

Rudy can't remember how many years ago he had prostrate cancer, but he can quote 44% and 82% – that is much bs.

By: SD Smith, Seattle, WA

SD Smith, Seattle, WA — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:59:50 +0000

Let them eat health care Rudolph?

Rudy? Ever stop and ask yourself what the 40 million Americans without health care think about our system. Bet they would take a so-called "socialized" 44 percent survial rate, given their current odds of beating prostate cancer or other life threatening illness are likely much lower.

America's health care system is nice for those who can afford it (ie Rudolph) and a disaster for those who can't.

By: cristin, orlando FL

cristin, orlando FL — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:41:28 +0000

"Giuliani and wife Judith picked pumpkins in New Hampshire over the weekend." Really? In that suit?

By: Vance, Lansing, MI

Vance, Lansing, MI — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:35:39 +0000

And for those with cancer and no insurance, what does Rudy offer?
Nothing, nada. What a big phoney!

By: sheridan, los angeles, calif.

sheridan, los angeles, calif. — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:28:27 +0000

That makes no sense at all. If they did not have socialized medicine in England many people would have no health care at all and would surely die of prostate cancer if not treated. Is Rudy the only one who deserves to beat prostate cancer? What an ego.

By: Donna, Waco TX

Donna, Waco TX — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:10:00 +0000

That's just ducky, Rudy.

I was diagnosed with oral cancer last week, and I don't have health insurance and your tax deduction wouldn't do squat for me. So guess what the survival rate for cancer with no medical intervention is?

By: MR, Boston, MA

MR, Boston, MA — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:06:19 +0000

Too bad he didn't go to England.

By: josh

josh — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:55:36 +0000

correction:
In 9 months she'd be dead. So she came the the USA, had the surgery and is NOW doing great

By: josh

josh — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:53:39 +0000

Pat, You're talking like a donkey. Speaking as a health care provider, I vow to quit medicine the minute it becomes socialized, which, btw, is exactly what Hillary wants to do. I will not go through all the schooling I have gone through to be paid like a teacher. I'll open a land scaping, or t-shirt printing business before I do that.

So what does it matter if more people can afford health care if there is no one to deliver health care. Just ask all the Canadians who cross the border and pay cash for services they can not wait for in Canada.

I know a nice canadian lady who had a brain tumor that needed immediate surgery. The Canadian socialized system said: "no problem, just get in line... it will be 9 months". In 9 months she'd be dead. So she came the the USA, had the surgery and is not doing great.

Go American Medicine!

Once we socialize medicine, where will all the Canadians go?

By: CitizenJ

CitizenJ — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:53:18 +0000

His chances are so high here because he has a great insurance plan. What about those who can't afford insurance or aren't covered as well as they think? What are their chances?

By: Juan Perez, Leesburg, VA

Juan Perez, Leesburg, VA — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:52:33 +0000

The former Mayor's comments show just how disconnected from reality the Republicans are. Here are a few key points to ponder:

1) He is a millionaire and while money can't cure cancer, his access to the best doctors and his name gave him a "leg up" against this devastating illness.

2) The comment about health decision being between people and their doctor doesn't work when your only option to talk to a doctor is when you go the emergency room. Somewhere between 15 and 30 million Americans do not have access to a family practitioner or local clinic. If these Americans had access to the proper treatment at the proper time, we would reduce the burden for local governments and hospitals caused by last minute treatment visits to emergency rooms.

3) The lower-middle class is one severe illness away from having to go bankrupt. I don't have the specific data but since most insured Americans get their health care through their job (how crazy does that sound?), if the head of household loses his/her job or gets terminally ill, the entire family falls apart and that hurts the economy as well as destroy the progress made by hard working families.

It is incredible that we are to blind to realized that most politicians are saying what their campaign financiers want them to say.

Bush/Cheney – Oil and military complex get the real benefits of War.

Democrats – Healthcare and unions.

Both are equally guilty. Let's do something about it people.

Juan Perez
mojuan@gmail.com

By: Baba Cambridge MA

Baba Cambridge MA — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:52:20 +0000

Alexander - I know you guys are supposed to report the news not analyze it. But Rudy's assertion is nothign short of false. Check the data. We uncover more people with prostate cancer and then attack it agressiviely. The Brits uncover many fewer cases and take a less surgical approach. Yet the mortality rates are about the same.

YOu guys need to dig into this more.

By: Chris, Middletown, CT

Chris, Middletown, CT — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:52:08 +0000

Sounds like someone has a case of the "My name is Pat and I'm backing someone who is hated by 63.4% of the US population"...can't wait for Giuliani to become president – he is a moderate...social liberal and fiscal conservative....wanna read more about Hillary....look up Saul Alinsky (her teacher...and mentor)

By: Brian, Athens, OH

Brian, Athens, OH — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:49:08 +0000

What is the source for this statistic??? I briefly looked this up and certainly did not sees numbers like this being reported in journal articles... I am sick and tired of politicians just making up stats or selectively quoting others. I found numbers stating that the prostate survival rates between Europe and the US were pretty similar (and getting even closer).

By: Kate, Aurora CO

Kate, Aurora CO — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:44:13 +0000

and I'm sure his being a millonaire had nothing to do with his medical bills. What Rudy fails to mention is state employess (which is what he was at the time) have excellent benefits. The average person does not have that kind of coverage. On the contrary we have exhorbant coinsurances, deductibles and copayments. After this spin I don't want to hear one more Republican slamming Ms. Edwards for discussing her cancer.