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Comment by pc86 | Hacker News Reader

> it was organized left-wing efforts that created the superior life-work balance and healthcare in Europe

The US economy thanks you for getting out of the way, I guess. Americans aren't flying to Europe for healthcare - it's the other way around (if you can afford it). So it may be "superior" in the sense that you're just paying for it your entire life via taxes instead of at the time of service and through employer-subsidized insurance, but it's not "superior" in terms of care.

Politics shouldn't be anyone "vs" anyone else. It should be "how can we fix what's broken, how can we make what's good even better." Trump's message was largely "here's how I will fix the economy" and "here's how I will fix the border." Harris's message was "I'm not Trump" and "I won't change any policy of the Biden administration."

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That "if you can afford it" is an important qualifier. I read people struggle to source insulin in the US.

I meant "if, as a foreign national, you can afford to fly to the US for healthcare." Rich Europeans flying to the US for specialized healthcare happens a lot more than rich Americans flying to the EU for specialized healthcare and there's a reason for that.

So what, though? Is the US's advantage in specialized healthcare worth the income inequality and multiple-jobs-just-to-survive culture? I think it's not hard to make an argument that it isn't worth it.

So what's the reason? Or why should I care about the quality of life of the richest?

So when I'm down on my luck I shouldn't be entitled to healthcare?

Living in the UK I'm more than happy to contribute my way in taxes, knowing I'm always looked after regardless of my employment state or wealth.

Additionally we can also pay for American style (private) healthcare, but aren't paying 10x markup on treatment as is the case for America (see Ozempic pricing for example).

American healthcare is one of the worst in the developed world, it shouldn't be celebrated.

> see Ozempic pricing

Let me just take this opportunity to point out that Ozempic is the product of a European company. So you can tell me how American healthcare is absurdly expensive, and how it is much cheaper for you, all while you are the ones making it so damn expensive for us.

Along the same lines, lets hear more about Norway being the shining beacon on the hill, the hero come to save us from climate change, while behind the scenes they finance the entire country by exporting pollution to the rest of the world.

It's really difficult to stomach the hypocritical arrogance of some Europeans. Y'all seem so nice in person, I am hoping a lot of the online rhetoric is just Putin doing his thing.

> Americans aren't flying to Europe for healthcare - it's the other way around (if you can afford it)

Missing in your analysis is health outcomes for the poor. Maybe you don't view them as human?

Hard to imagine how you guys lost an election.

I didn't vote for Kamala. Also I'm sorry you feel bad when people point out your callousness. Think about how people must feel when they die for want of healthcare.

So you don't have a substantive reply? In that case you maybe shouldn't hit the reply link.

My dad is a P.T. and he recounts how after the ACA passed in 2008, his fellow therapists saw tons of people from poor communities going to the doctor for the first time in years. His practice was backed up for a while because there were so many new patients who suddenly had insurance.

Folks missing teeth, folks with broken bones who set improperly, folks who couldn't afford preventative care.

Anecdote: my middle school P.E. teacher took her class down to Juárez Mexico for a "school" mission trip.

She left the group on the way back so she could stop elsewhere and get her teeth cleaned. She said it was a common sentiment for Americans to cross the border for dental work like that.

(That trip was odd for many other reasons ...)

> Trump's message was largely "here's how I will fix the economy" and "here's how I will fix the border."

I read an opinion piece a week or so ago that sounded just like this. It was even more explicit about the point. Paraphrasing, she said 'I know he says really hateful things, but you guys don't get it, at the rallies everyone is giddy and happy, it's such a joyful place to be!'.

The point being that Trump is about joy. Not that his supporters were giddy about his promises of retribution. Totally honest perspective from someone deep in that bubble. I actually appreciate the honesty.

Dems listen to Trump talk about how much he wants to hurt them. They recall that he did exactly that the last time he was president. So of course the democratic candidate says she won't be like Trump. Her supporters don't want to be targeted by their own government again.

That's the thing the dems just don't get. Saying you'll be president for everyone isn't what sells. It's a high minded ideal, like civil rights. Sounds good, inspires a lot of breathless agreement, but most people don't actually care in their hearts, they just care about #1. Appealing to their basest instincts seems wrong, but it's how you win in politics. Stop trying to take the high road that doesn't exist except in your dreams.

What exactly did Trump do to hurt Democrats in his first term?

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