I didn't relise this thread was still going on ...

I can't comment on the different levels of medicare people are on, or whether it is a good deal for you all - I hope it is.

I do endorse thank Dr Buzzczar for his comments, and I note that wmrs2's response was, I can't lose my job. Then you are luckier than most Americans. I have "spoken" to many Americans on the internet who do not have any health insurance because they cannot afford it. They pray that they never fall seriously ill because they dread having to use the public health services. It is third world standard. I have also spoken to at least one American without health insurance and who had a serious illness. She is better now, but she had to sell her house.

Socialism isn't all about taking money from those who have it and giving it to the indolent. It is treating everyone as they should be treated, like people, regardless of how much money they have accumulated. I suppose you could say that under socialism, a person is appeciated for what he gives to society whereas under capitalism, a person is appreciated for what he takes out of it.

Yes, America has universal health care: a two-tier system. One for the rich, and one for the poor. In the land where everyone is supposed to be equal, only if you have money are you entitled to good health, and, yes, to live your life to the full. I was thrilled to hear that Obama wants to introduce a better healthcare system: go for it, Barack!

I have indicated before how much I have personally benefitted from our state system. I have had a heart attack, I am on life-long treatment for diabetes. My wife has been operated on for cancer and is now receiving a five year course of medicine. I have no idea what that might cost in USA: we get it for free.

But, that's not true, we don't get it for free. We paid our National Insurance contributions, like very other working person in UK. These contributions pay for the NHS, just as your medicare premiums pay for your private system. The difference is, that, there are no limits or exclusions under the NHS, and there are no fat cats creaming off profits like there are in the health insurance companies. (I admit there are inefficiencies and budget restrictions, but those happen everywhere, and they do not impeded the provision of a high quality health service that is free at the point of delivery. And if the British system does suck - as capitalist Americans have claimed - then the French and Canadian systems certainly do not.)
As for the freedoms I have surrendered, I can't think of one. If you know what freedoms I have lost, please tell me.