Anyway, changing the subject a bit, I support Medicare for All, rather than a VA or NHS-style model mainly because the international statistics on health care appear to indicate that single-payer systems appear to have better outcomes than the UK’s NHS. I am not ideological about this. If the UK’s outcomes were better than Australia’s, New Zealand’s, Canada’s or France’s, I’d favor an NHS. But, apparently, that’s not the case.

Lest you not know, my advocacy for an expanded access to the IHS and the VA, is in the form of “integrated health services”. Thusly, ‘yardsticking’ the integrated health services in any comparison or contrast with a medical doctor in private practice, would effectively demonstrate a greater benefit realized for both consumers and taxpayers.

Now, I understand that Dr. Dean is in private practice, and for him to advocate his self-interest via a public option with doctors receiving a much larger pay envelop from either the patient, the insurance company, or even the government, is understandable. Consequently, his self-interest collides with my self-interest, and to have a debate over this is fair and reasonable approach, but getting Dr. Dean engaged in this discussion or debate, is not going to happen on his part. And as such, this indicates to me via his non-response, that I am correct in my assessment for his lack of engagement. And in this regard, Dr. Dean will pontificate his ‘concern’ to whomever is willing to listen, and yet, he will never effectively address this perceived opposition to integrated health care from the standpoint of the consumer/patient. And his ongoing political behavior continues to reinforce his unspoken opposition to a national schematic for integrated health services from the standpoint of medical care delivered.

Jaango

As for calling people dishonest, I have been saying recently that Krugman’s endorsement of Bernanke as chair of the Fed is also dishonest. Krugman got his job at Princeton through Bernanke, a fact which he brought up during another book salon here last December. This gets back to the idea of accountability we are supposed to have on the left side of the blogosphere no matter who is involved.

On Howard, why do you think:

“. . . mililtary vets can be the invaluable allies that Progressives are in much need of in today’s toxic environment, and that of course, scares the bejerbles out of Dr. Dean. . . .”

Personally, I’m a progressive who’s happy to ally with military vets in progressive causes like universal health care, and I don’t know why that would scare “the bejerbles” out of Howard Dean. I’ve never known him to say or do anything that shows anything but support and friendliness for vets. Have you seen something else?

As a military vet, I can safely say that all military vets understand the utlization of the base military hospital while in uniform, and the continuation of the VA while in a civilian status. Thus, mililtary vets can be the invaluable allies that Progressives are in much need of in today’s toxic environment, and that of course, scares the bejerbles out of Dr. Dean.

Consequently, Letsgetitdone, in his post above, is truly clear-eyed when he says, “…it’s because the elites in industry, Congress, and Executive don’t want it”.

Jaango

I think it would be especially powerful if it were an in-person meeting, but even a joint email or phone call might make a big impression.