I really envy Canada.

[terrya]

They only take a little over a month for their elections.

God, I want this to be over. You have no idea how much I want this to be over.

[lastliberalintexas]

1. Isn't it only 6 weeks in the UK?

That would be nice as well. :)

[terrya]

4. Yes.

You're right. One HUGE advantage of the parlimentary system of government, I guess. :-)

[Johnny__Motown]

2. don't worry , it will be over soon. hang in there baby

[ramapo]

12. It hasn't even started yet:( n/t

[babylonsister]

3. I envy Canada also.

But what about buyer's remorse? That's not a long time to evaluate anyone.

This is way over the top in America now. Give me a few months, I'd be happy.

[AndyTiedye]

13. "No Confidence"

In case of "buyer's remorse" in a parliamentary system, a vote of "No Confidence" can make it all better.

[quantass]

5. And we get free Universal Health Care!

[woolldog]

7. by "universal health care"

do you mean that the government forces Canadians to buy health insurance?

[Iceburg]

8. Contrast to America's dependence on volunteer Remote Area Medical's Lifeline

to provide health care to the working poor of America.
Just caught 60 minutes tonight...incredibly sad that America forces its citizens to buy military security but it can't find its way when it comes to health care.

Remote Area Medical's Lifeline ...check out the video
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/28/60minutes/main3889496.shtml

You know nothing about health care in Canada chap. If you did you would weep for your nation.

[woolldog]

9. what in the world....

are you babbling about?

[AdHocSolver]

15. I attended a lecture by a Canadian about health care in Canada. We should be so lucky.

I will give a quick recap from memory.

All Canadian citizens are covered. "Whether you live in a mansion or under a bridge", as the guy put it, you have access to health care.

Canadians are issued an ID card. Although the health care is administered by the provinces, they can go to any hospital or doctor anywhere in Canada. At the time of service, the Canadian presents the card to the receptionist who records the information. Then the card is returned.

The medical staff treats the patient. No insurance company has to be consulted as to whether or not there is coverage. No pre-existing conditions to worry about. After treatment, the patient leaves. No deductables or copays to worry about.

The cost for this healthcare "insurance" is paid for in taxes. However, since the total cost of healthcare in Canada, per person, is almost half of what it is in the U.S., the cost to Canadians is far less than what Americans pay for lesser coverage. Treatment is decided by the doctor and the patient. Insurance company clerks do not have a say in deciding treatment.

The provincial government and the doctor's "union" negotiate fees once a year. The doctors and hospitals know ahead of time what fees they will collect, and they are paid on time. (American doctors and hospitals have to, in effect, negotiate their fees each time they treat a patient, and then have to wait, sometimes for months, to collect.)

Administrative costs for Canadian medical practitioners is far less than in the U.S., so that Canadian doctors can spend more time treating patients instead of fighting the insurance companies.

I hope I have provided an accurate description of what the guy told us about Canadian health care. Any Canadians out there who want to make comments or corrections feel free.

[woolldog]

16. I looove Canadian health care.

My comment was more of a swipe at Clinton's idea that her universal health insurance mandate is in any way equivalent to "universal health care."

I was trying to be funny and judging by your two responses, failed. :dunce:

[AdHocSolver]

18. Hah, Hah, Hah! (Belated laugh. Sorry!)

:rofl:

[woolldog]

23. I'll be here all week

:hi:

[TheDeathadder]

21. yeah

you did fail

sort of like if we don't get everybody covered soon our health care system is going to fail.

but by all means have your laughs.

[quakerboy]

6. No Joke

Wouldn't that be so nice?

Only... I don't want the queen.

[NMMNG]

10. Me too

For many reasons, except the weather.

[NashVegas]

11. Two Years Is $#^*@@ Nuts

I wish the parties would automatically invalidate the candidacy of anyone who opens an exploratory committee more than 1 year before election day.

[Posteritatis]

17. Canada's getting infected by that too

We still have the same rules on election lengths/etc as we had for awhile, but the Conservatives really got into Republican-style campaigning since they ate the PCs, so it's basically perpetual electioneering. (And the campaigns themselves are now hideous, of course. Nobody can talk about their own platforms anymore.)

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

14. No kidding. Worse yet, the 2012 race has already started. . .

Hillary's latest stunts show she's the first declared '12 candidate, working to knock off Obama as the '08 nominee.

[Forkboy]

19. At this point I envy the dead.

[Thepricebreaker]

20. America should take this long - a lot of people and voices must be heard.

1 month? Bahhh.. no way... would NEVER work here..

[Fox Mulder]

22. Same here.