I guess I don't find anything amusing about the fact that our current health care system does not provide for everyone. While health care and social security are separate programs it is rather quixotic to not consider how reforming one would impact the other.
Mr. Kidd suggests that every other country's health care system is substandard to ours. I would ask how he is judging "quality" - by overall clinical outcomes, or, by the outcomes of the select few? I, too, have been a recipient of and worked within a universal health care model. When all is said and done, a society's values MUST be judged by the humanity it shows its constituents. Universal health care and social security are just two of those measures.
Mr. Kidd says "The Social Security program has effected the fabric of our families, and I am not convinced it has been a beneficial change." While I agree our families have become more distant and often abdicate daily care to babysitters, day care centers, assisted living facilities, take out restaurants - indeed, outsourcing "domestic help". But, why? The reason is our economic model and our definition of productivity. I think there is something terribly wrong when a valid decision for young mothers can often NOT be "stay at home with the kids" because 2 incomes are needed simply to get by let alone save for educations, take care of elderly parents, buy health care and other "necessities".
So, while like Mr. Kidd, I am sorry to see us as a society one step removed from our family obligations, I wish more of us had the choice as some educated and lucky friends I know do to forego things that many would consider necessities (cars, movies, summer camp, etc.) so a family member can stay at home with the children.
Not everyone can afford that choice. Likewise, family obligations to caring for elderly must often be sacrificed to near term generational needs like shelter, education, and health care.
