Matthew Sweet suffers stroke

[Alefroth]

Girlfriend was released 33 years ago today.

[Blackhawk]

Also, F the insane costs of healthcare in America.

This much, at least, we can agree on.

Assuming that I don't just keel over, my death will most likely be because me dying is cheaper for someone than me living.

"He died like he lived", they'll say. After all, it's already too expensive for someone for me to have teeth, let alone hearing or eye care.

[Blackhawk]

Not bitter.

[hepcat]

Well, at least you learned the whole story of his life before passing judgement.

Not passing judgement,

You don't have to give him anything, but this is laughable.

So...NO chaps?

Also, F the insane costs of healthcare in America.

I said it at the top of the thread, so I'm totally in agreement. We have one of the worst health care systems in the world when it comes to cost. If you have to use your entire life savings if something serious happens, then the system is broken. Period. Full stop.

Billy Bragg's partner had cancer a few years ago, but the national health system saved her life. Then he wrote this song for them (and his partner, of course).

Spoiler:

This belief that an expensive health system is a better health system is just shit.

[gbasden]

Among the many things that are incomprehensible to me about my fellow citizens is that they look at our healthcare system and think "This is so good we can't risk trying anything different." Every time I have to deal with the medical system I walk away baffled at how it's such a dumpster fire.

[coopasonic]

Among the many things that are incomprehensible to me about my fellow citizens is that they look at our healthcare system and think "This is so good we can't risk trying anything different." Every time I have to deal with the medical system I walk away baffled at how it's such a dumpster fire.

Many of us grew up being taught how inept government is and how we want private industry in control. America's "greatness" is because capitalism, freedom and ingenuity. Why don't you want America to be great? Are you a commie?

[Unagi]

I've never once met "a fellow citizen" who didn't want to change our healthcare system. I think it's the politicians and the lobbyists that are actually keeping it from happening. Not fellow citizens.

[hepcat]

Among the many things that are incomprehensible to me about my fellow citizens is that they look at our healthcare system and think "This is so good we can't risk trying anything different." Every time I have to deal with the medical system I walk away baffled at how it's such a dumpster fire.

Many of us grew up being taught how inept government is and how we want private industry in control. America's "greatness" is because capitalism, freedom and ingenuity. Why don't you want America to be great? Are you a commie?

Not sure. Does a Commie have to pay 24,000 dollars for 15 minutes of work by an anesthesiologist? If not, then okay...I'm going Commie!

[Carpet_pissr]

Yacht storage is expensive, yo.

[WYBaugh]

nm

[Smoove_B]

Yes - he's raising money to pay for healthcare (period). If this happened in America he'd still be raising funds because he doesn't have health insurance. I can only imagine what it would have run if this happened domestically. Plus all the costs he's incurred for recovery care (domestically).

[hepcat]

Not sure if y'all mentioned this above but

The doctors and hospital care in Toronto were instrumental in saving Matthew's life, but health care is not free for Americans in Canada

American healthcare does suck but this happened in Canada.

I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. He's still the victim of exceedingly high health care costs because he's an American.

[Madmarcus]

I guess I'm feeling talkative this morning since I'm replying now to something I read days ago.

There is approximately no celebrities I would kick in a GoFundMe

I've never really seen the sense in GoFundMe for situations like this. The idea of a community chipping in to fund needs of individuals in the community makes perfect sense even in cases where it isn't truly reciprocal (people who are better off give more, some people never have a need but still contribute and so on) but in this case I don't see the community. Maybe I'm broken but it doesn't compute to give to someone who doesn't know me from Adam. It's not a value judgement about whether he is or is not responsible with his earnings. On the other hand it is distasteful that he could have a successful GoFundMe but a less famous backing musician probably couldn't.

I have a lot of reservations about a national health care and all the ways it can go wrong but we need something better than a system where the backup position is depending on being famous enough that random people will support you!

[hepcat]

Maybe I'm broken but it doesn't compute to give to someone who doesn't know me from Adam.

That's how charity is supposed to work though.

[Madmarcus]

I consider charity (donations to a cause, group, or organization that I consider worthy) to be different from a donation to an individual. Organizations always add a layer of overhead but, if they are well run, they can also make more effective use of the money and avoid the problem of more money given to well known people or people who end up with a good PR campaign versus unknown people who are in as much need.

[gbasden]

I guess I'm feeling talkative this morning since I'm replying now to something I read days ago.

There is approximately no celebrities I would kick in a GoFundMe

I've never really seen the sense in GoFundMe for situations like this. The idea of a community chipping in to fund needs of individuals in the community makes perfect sense even in cases where it isn't truly reciprocal (people who are better off give more, some people never have a need but still contribute and so on) but in this case I don't see the community. Maybe I'm broken but it doesn't compute to give to someone who doesn't know me from Adam. It's not a value judgement about whether he is or is not responsible with his earnings. On the other hand it is distasteful that he could have a successful GoFundMe but a less famous backing musician probably couldn't.

I have a lot of reservations about a national health care and all the ways it can go wrong but we need something better than a system where the backup position is depending on being famous enough that random people will support you!

I don't know if it's fame, per se. I can think of a number of artists that have created things that meant a lot to me. Some are famous, some are very much not. I can absolutely see myself donating to help cover a medical emergency. I'd much rather have a medical system that doesn't ruin people if they get ill, but barring that, I would absolutely reach out to help someone who has been impactful for me.