Bryon Tosoff
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1/10/2017 8:35:08 AM
I am not an American but my thoughts are this, it should not be dismantled maybe some necessary changes if it is too expensive , perhaps letting individual states run their own health care might be the answer under the auspices of the government, may help lower costs, a centralized system has a tendency to get bloated ,plus these big corporations that are involved only add to the cost
We have universal health care in Canada, and for the most part it is pretty darn good. sure it has it shortcomings, but nobody goes without healthcare, no one.....and honestly that is the way it should be
bryon
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Bryon Tosoff
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1/10/2017 11:30:58 AM
We have had universal health care since the early 60's in Canada, The CCF socialist party in Saskatchewan was the first province to adopt the system in the late 40's then it was adopted by the federal government later on.
The CCF became the New Democratic Party in 1961. Although the Party never held power nationally, its policies were adopted and implemented by federal governments over the years. Those CCF initiatives include unemployment insurance, family allowance, Medicare and universal old age pensions.
Sometimes Socialist ideas are more forward thinking then so called progressive liberals and conservatives, and i can see why Bernie Sanders tried to get his vision adopted in the US because his ideas would help the average working person, not just the rich and the elites. Of course He didnt have a chance in the DNC, but he was a socialist, not a democrat in teh true sense of the word
Here is how THE CCF aka the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation started in Canada.
CBC Broadcasting Corporation info page
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" Canada's first socialist party emerges from the prairie Dust Bowl
The roots of Canada's social welfare system were planted when a new political party, the "Co-operative Commonwealth Federation" (CCF) emerged from the prairie dust during the darkest days of the Great Depression.
In 1932, James Shaver Woodsworth became the first leader the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. The CCF became the New Democratic Party in 1961. (National Archives of Canada, P05910t)
The year was 1932 and the Canadian west was one of the hardest hit areas in the worldwide economic crisis. Two-thirds of Saskatchewan families received relief after the Dust Bowl left prairie farmers with parched, dead fields.
In the mist of the catastrophic times, labour and socialist groups as well as political activists gathered in a Calgary legion hall on July 31, 1932 and formed the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation.
The CCF became Canada's first socialist party. As its name suggested, its founders wanted a political party that promoted universal cooperation for the common good. Members believed capitalism led to inequality and greed and they wanted to make governments responsible for social and economic planning to even out the playing field.
The leader of the new party was James Shaver Woodsworth, an outspoken member of parliament. The social activist and former Methodist minister declared that unemployment wasn't the fault of the individual; it was the system that was to blame. He explained the Depression in a way that lifted the burden from the jobless and placed it on the government.
"A severe condemnation still rests upon indifference ... We have tried to provide for the poor. Yet, have we tried to alter the social conditions that lead to poverty?"
On July 31, 1932, labour and socialist groups gathered at a Calgary legion hall to form Canada's first socialist political party, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. Pictured here, the founding meeting of the CCF. (National Archives of Canada, C-029313)
In 1933, hundreds of farmers, labourers, preachers, trade unionists, socialists and academics including Baptist Minister Tommy Douglas and Montreal lawyer/poet Frank Scott met in Regina to hammer out the goals and structure of the political movement.
The convention voted for universal pension, health and welfare insurance, unemployment insurance, a minimum wage and farm security. The party doctrine was a radical departure from free-market economics and it became known as the Regina Manifesto.
Frank Scott found the convention one of the most exhilarating times of his life.
"I shall not forget the denunciations of capitalism hour after hour and the raging thunderous applause afterwards."
For some Canadians, a socialist party was a terrifying idea. The mayor of Vancouver, Gerry McGeer, saw it as proof that Soviet Communism had entered Canada through the back door.
"If you elect those people, they'll take away your home, they'll take away your car, and burn down your churches. Furthermore, they'll nationalize your women"
In fact, the CCF was firmly against Communism and believed in achieving socialism through democratic elections rather than revolution.
In 1935, five CCF MPs were elected to Parliament including Tommy Douglas, who later became the first CCF Premier, elected in Saskatchewan in 1944.
The CCF became the New Democratic Party in 1961. Although the Party never held power nationally, its policies were adopted and implemented by federal governments over the years. Those CCF initiatives include unemployment insurance, family allowance, Medicare and universal old age pensions."
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Co-operation and ideas were adopted from the established ruling parties and an open minded approach was taken and now Canada has one of the most progressive health care systems in the world as well as one of the most financially stable countries and its banking system is second to none. Fortunate to live here and appreciate what all the forefathers in the political realm did for our great nation
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