Ask a non-north american

[dr.benway]

Inspired by the recent "ask me stuff" threads as well as the "health care" threads...

I mean, I was gonna post there and then I thought that the whole thread was north americans discussing it, and there'd be a lot of stuff that I don't know well enough to comment on.

It is very often that american people at work ask me things trying to understand what the outside world thinks of America and our views on certain things. (And it is very often that I wonder about certain things that seem puzzling about the american way of life.)

I have noticed that americans are divided on the health care issue because they lack information on how free health care really works. So if you have any doubts I can provide some answers.

So, if there are any relevant questions you'd like to ask about people's views of american politics outside the US... this could be a very enlightening discussion.

Now, no hostile wankery will be tolerated in this thread. Thank you.

[hnibos]

americans dont give a fuck what others think

[Debaser]

where do you live and tell me what you hate about your healthcare system

[dr.benway]

At the moment, I live in SP - Brazil, in the third biggest city in the world.

In the city there's nothing I could say about the free health care that I don't like. There are enough hospitals, doctors and very modern equipment and money is always being injected into these things.

We have some of the best hospitals in the continent for cancer treatment and other things adn they treat people from all over the world, free of any kind of charge.

Except that there are a lot of complaints about in other areas of the country certain things are not so modern and certain people have to travel to bigger cities to get proper treatment - which isn't as bad as losing our life savings over it.

I pay for a private health care plan mainly because it comes cheap with a family package thing. But there were ocasions in which I had to turn to public health care because private felt like somethings were not "necessary". But our goverment regulates private health care quite well and they don't usually get away with denying things.

Another reasons why I find my private plan convenient are the two hassles:

- For certain tests and surgeries you cannot book an appointment over the phone. You would have to go there which takes time.

- You have to see a GP before being sent to an especialist.

[Debaser]

were you born in brazil

[dr.benway]

Originally Posted by Debaser

were you born in brazil

yes I was, but I am an european citizen as well

[ATS]

are there neighborhoods in your city where people who aren't government-employed walk around with machine guns

[dr.benway]

Originally Posted by ATS

are there neighborhoods in your city where people who aren't government-employed walk around with machine guns

no

[Debaser]

Originally Posted by dr.benway

At the moment, I live in SP - Brazil, in the third biggest city in the world.

fyi, wikipedia disputes this. you're either 6th or 7th depending on how you measure it...


what do you think is the general feeling that most brazilians have towards the united states

[I was aborted]

brazil? that explains alot. every time i read your shitty posts I think to myself 'there's no way this guy could be a framer' ... at 17 i moved out of my parents house and earned my keep. what have you done? oh that's right, ended up in a third world shit hole.

[Nimrod's Son]

Originally Posted by dr.benway

I have noticed that americans are divided on the health care issue because they lack information on how free health care really works.

hahaha, eat a dick.

[dr.benway]

Originally Posted by Debaser

fyi, wikipedia disputes this. you're either 6th or 7th depending on how you measure it...


what do you think is the general feeling that most brazilians have towards the united states

that's because most people tend to disregard the metropolitan area around it, which involved another 4 or 5 cities I guess.

well, that's a tricky question. I think it's not a love-hate thing, our life style is highly americanized, but I don't think it's a positive view either in general.

[dr.benway]

Originally Posted by I was aborted

brazil? that explains alot. every time i read your shitty posts I think to myself 'there's no way this guy could be a framer' ... at 17 i moved out of my parents house and earned my keep. what have you done? oh that's right, ended up in a third world shit hole.

I am not a guy. I don't live with my parents, I earn my money and you are an idiot.

debaser - see above on why a lot of people around the world have a problem with americans.

[dr.benway]

Originally Posted by Nimrod's Son

hahaha, eat a dick.

They do.

I usually hear things like "universal health care" is so shit, everybody is going to die because they refuse to treat you etc.... which shows that their knowledge of how it works in most places is limited.

I don't blame anyone for that tho.

I notice a similar effort has been going on here to discredit public health care oddly at the same time that more and more insurance companies are appearing.

[I was aborted]

it's not that people have a problem with americans. it's just that some parts of the world prosper and others are mired in disease and famine. kind of like how certain species of animals die off you have a racial handicap that keeps you from being in a prosperous nation. i earned my keep here as a framer, it's something i'm skilled at. you may be skilled at cooking tacos or whatever but that's not what will get you ahead

[dr.benway]

well, whoever you are, you're being the typical person the world mocks.

- during this economical crisis, we're in much better situation. quality of life and jobs (especially for young people) is much better here than in the US right now. Our economy has been resiliant.
- we have free health care and the best HIV treatment in the world, for free.
- tacos are mexican - i believe - and i can't make them - which is a shame.

[Nimrod's Son]

Originally Posted by dr.benway

They do.

I usually hear things like "universal health care" is so shit, everybody is going to die because they refuse to treat you etc.... which shows that their knowledge of how it works in most places is limited.

I don't blame anyone for that tho.

I notice a similar effort has been going on here to discredit public health care oddly at the same time that more and more insurance companies are appearing.

To tell people that the only reason they disagree with something is due to "lack of education" - and not possibly for any other reason - is the height of arrogance and intolerance.

[dr.benway]

Originally Posted by Nimrod's Son

To tell people that the only reason they disagree with something is due to "lack of education" - and not possibly for any other reason - is the height of arrogance and intolerance.

I wasn't saying that I was simply stating that if people want to find out things I am willing to answer what I can.

There's a lot of things in life I don't know as well as someone who has experienced them.

I'm not saying that people ONLY disagree with it because of what they're told, there are other factors and ideologies involved. But the fact is I can notice how people have the wrong ideas of how it really is - they have been told it's a nightmare and they are afraid.

In that case, I can provide some real answers about the pros and cons if someone's curious.

[Nimrod's Son]

how much does it cost to get breast impants in brazil

[Rairun]

I don't know much about it, but I think I like how the government regulates private health plans in Brazil. I've never heard of anyone going bankrupt because their plans didn't cover such and such treatment.

Honestly, though, you must be joking if you think public health care in Brazil is a good example. Sure, maybe there are a few good hospitals, but that's it. It doesn't serve the population properly at all. I happen to support publicly-funded health care, but you have look towards Europe if you want to know what the system has accomplished so far.

Also, anti-Americanism is widespread in Brazil, but it's also very shallow. People don't actually care. That vague sentiment probably comes from kids being exposed to anti-American rhetoric in history classes. Those classes are often taught by people who were university students when Brazil was a right-wing dictatorship, and who were persecuted by the US-backed regime.

What bothers me is that people have very little knowledge about how American culture works, and they just assume most Americans are arrogant, greedy, etc. I think that's a misconception. Hell, I've met more Canadians with a holier-than-thou attitude than Americans, and Canadians are usually perceived as nice and polite people whom Americans should aspire to be like.

[dr.benway]

Originally Posted by Nimrod's Son

how much does it cost to get breast impants in brazil

I'm not so sure but I think it's cheap because everyone does it
and they even let you pay in 30 installments and stuff

[dr.benway]

Originally Posted by Rairun

I don't know much about it, but I think I like how the government regulates private health plans in Brazil. I've never heard of anyone going bankrupt because their plans didn't cover such and such treatment.

Honestly, though, you must be joking if you think public health care in Brazil is a good example. Sure, maybe there are a few good hospitals, but that's it. It doesn't serve the population properly at all. I happen to support publicly-funded health care, but you have look towards Europe if you want to know what the system has accomplished so far.

Also, anti-Americanism is widespread in Brazil, but it's also very shallow. People don't actually care. That vague sentiment probably comes from kids being exposed to anti-American rhetoric in history classes. Those classes are often taught by people who were university students when Brazil was a right-wing dictatorship, and who were persecuted by the US-backed regime.

What bothers me is that people have very little knowledge about how American culture works, and they just assume most Americans are arrogant, greedy, etc. I think that's a misconception. Hell, I've met more Canadians with a holier-than-thou attitude than Americans, and Canadians are usually perceived as nice and polite people whom Americans should aspire to be like.

hi, who are you?

well of course in places in europe you will find a much better network. this is a huge huge country and the quality of the service changes a lot in different states and cities.

still think having the option of being treated is better than none.

just the other day someone i know in the us told me her parents had to move in with her because one of them had cancer many times and they ended up losing the house.

i never had any anti-american history teachers but I see what you're coming from regarding dictatorship.

Personally I feel that all these people who have anti-american feelings are one sided and misinformed and probably have never been to the us.

[Rairun]

Originally Posted by dr.benway

hi, who are you?

Who am I? I'm me.

well of course in places in europe you will find a much better network. this is a huge huge country and the quality of the service changes a lot in different states and cities.

still think having the option of being treated is better than none.

just the other day someone i know in the us told me her parents had to move in with her because one of them had cancer many times and they ended up losing the house.

The thing is, a lot of people die here because they don't receive treatment for much less serious diseases. And they can't sell their houses, because they live in a shack whose value wouldn't even begin to cover the cost of a cancer treatment.

You sound like you're well off. I'm not poor either, but you seem to forget we're not exactly in the majority in this country.

Personally I feel that all these people who have anti-american feelings are one sided and misinformed and probably have never been to the us.

Well, yeah, exactly. And those people comprise 99% of the population.

[Rairun]

Originally Posted by dr.benway

well, whoever you are, you're being the typical person the world mocks.

True.

-during this economical crisis, we're in much better situation. quality of life and jobs (especially for young people) is much better here than in the US right now. Our economy has been resiliant.

False. Sure, our economy is in better shape right now. The standard of living is horrible in comparison, though. I really do think you're speaking as an upper-middle class Brazilian and forgetting other people exist.

- we have free health care and the best HIV treatment in the world, for free.

True. One of the best things our government has done, probably.

[dr.benway]

Hi.
Oh just now the goverment sent a leaflet and a hand sanitizing gel to my desk so I don't get swine flu.

It's exactly because a great majority in this country (and a great part of the US) can't afford private health care that i think having it it's so important.

I don't know what you're talking about people don't receive treatment for diseases, because at least where I am nobody is refused any kind of treatment. I know that because my best friend and ex roomate worked in a public hospitals and I have two friends who are doctors in public hospitals too.

there is not enough incentive for people to look for doctors to do checkups and there are a lot of areas in which education and health are in way inferior levels and those things have to be addressed too.

but you'd be surprised (at least I was) when you try and find out what the state offers you, but then again, it could be a regional thing.

no one in my family pays for medication because they get them for free, my friends all get birth control for free, people in my family have been treated for cancer and other things very well by the public health care.

there are a lot of things that have to be organized better, but no one is in debt because they get ill and that is something.

my point is: if countries that are way poorer than the US can provide this, what's stopping them?

[dr.benway]

No, I am not upper class. I have been poorer before but I struggled and improved my situation a bit.

My point is, no matter how bad things seem to us, it's not true to believe that the youth in other places are completely better off. I have lived in other countries to know how life is equally difficult, specially for young people.

As for the response to the economical global situation, I am talking from a perspective of someone who works in the finantial sector.

where are you from?

[Charmbag]

this is the best thread in forever

[Charmbag]

what are the things you most like or dislike about Brazillian culture, and how do you think Brazillian culture differs most from US culture?

[Debaser]

Originally Posted by I was aborted

it's not that people have a problem with americans. it's just that some parts of the world prosper and others are mired in disease and famine. kind of like how certain species of animals die off you have a racial handicap that keeps you from being in a prosperous nation. i earned my keep here as a framer, it's something i'm skilled at. you may be skilled at cooking tacos or whatever but that's not what will get you ahead

wow is this a serious post

[mxzombie]

no, that's a troll.