I love this calculator! It shows you what you would save under Obama and also what you’d save under McCain.

You know Robbie, I am Canadian, but am watching your election with great interest, as is the rest of the free world. It is not only very entertaining, but we know that what happens there will impact us here.

I was a little offended by McCain’s comment in the most recent debate when he referred to the Canadian health care system in a negative manner. Our health system has functioned very well, and only began to fall apart when our politicians started to tear it apart and DE-REGULATE… or privatize. Americans seem to only hear the “socialist” argument, and the myth that Canadians can’t get good health care.

The Canadian public health system provides BASIC care for all citizens. That BASIC care does sometimes mean long waits for some procedures, such as hip replacement, but a long wait for a poor person is better than no access at all. The wealthy have always had the option of going across the border if they don’t want to wait – and now with a mix of private and public clinics and services, they don’t have to.

Another argument that you hear Republicans make when comparing public/private using Canada as an example is that our taxes are outrageous. The truth is that we don’t pay a lot more over all than Americans do, esepcially when you figure in your health insurance premiums. As McCain said, it is not always about more money to fund these public programs… it is reforming the programs that you already have in place.

My advice to Americans is don’t be so afraid of public programs that work! You CAN have a balanace of public/private systems so that you still have a voice and ability to make your own decisions. You are being misled when comparisons are made between your country and mine.