Big Beautiful Bill Build Back Better

[JDs Couch]

Labor did better than that because of the preferential voting system and therefore has an absolute majority.

Yes I know what socialism is and many socialist countries have compulsory voting. Forcing someone to participate in a political system they do not wish to under threats of legal action isn't something a free nation would do.


It's 101 years old, does that make it a tradition? What defines a tradition? A legal document demanding compulsory voting? LOL

I don't think any of these countries are socialist:

 

[VonBonfire]

I don't think any of these countries are socialist:
View attachment 406353

Yes very good but many of those countries have socialized medicine. For example, Costa Rica.

 

[JDs Couch]

Yes very good but many of those countries have socialized medicine. For example, Costa Rica.

Every developed country except the United States has socialised medicine. That doesn't make them socialist.

 

[JDs Couch]

### Countries Without Universal Health Care (Government-Guaranteed for All)

As of 2025, a few countries **do not guarantee health care access to all citizens**, especially via the government. Notable examples:

#### **United States**

* **No universal health care**
* Health care is a **mix of private insurance**, employer coverage, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.
* \~25–30 million people are still uninsured.
* High out-of-pocket costs even with insurance.

#### **Nigeria**

* Technically has a **National Health Insurance Scheme**, but it covers **less than 10%** of the population.
* Most health care is paid **out-of-pocket**, making it unaffordable for many.

#### **India**

* Offers **government-funded health insurance schemes** like Ayushman Bharat for the poor.
* However, much of the population still relies on **private, out-of-pocket care**.
* No universal guarantee for everyone.

#### **Pakistan**

* Some regional programs exist (like in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), but **no national universal health care**.
* Out-of-pocket payments dominate.

#### **Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan**

* Health care systems are **extremely weak or collapsing** due to war, poverty, or lack of infrastructure.
* Very little access to public health services for most people.

 

[JDs Couch]

Whether any countries are truly "socialist" depends on how you define socialism — as strict state control of the economy (like in Marxist-Leninist theory), or just strong public services and government involvement in key sectors.

1. Countries that officially call themselves socialist and are ruled by communist parties include:

* China: Ruled by the Communist Party, but the economy is mostly capitalist with heavy state direction. They call it "socialism with Chinese characteristics."
* Vietnam: Similar to China — one-party state with a mix of socialism and open markets.
* Cuba: Still a centrally planned economy, though it has made some reforms. The government provides free health care and education.
* Laos: Like Vietnam, it is officially socialist but has introduced market reforms.
* North Korea: Technically socialist, but functions more like a totalitarian dictatorship with a highly controlled economy and society.

2. Countries with strong socialist influence or social democratic policies (but not actually socialist states) include:

* Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland These are capitalist democracies with strong social safety nets, universal health care, free or affordable education, strong labor protections, and high taxes.
* France, Germany, and Spain: Have social democratic traditions and strong public sectors, but are still capitalist.
* Bolivia: Ruled by a socialist party (MAS) with some nationalized industries and social programs.
* Venezuela: Calls itself socialist (under the Chavista government), with state control over oil and some key sectors, but the economy has collapsed and the political system is authoritarian.
* Portugal: Governed by a socialist party but operates within a market economy like other EU countries.

3. Most countries around the world today are capitalist, even if they have public health care, education, and other social programs. This includes the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and most of Africa. These countries allow private ownership, market competition, and political pluralism.

In short: a few one-party socialist states still exist (mostly in Asia), but the vast majority of countries are capitalist with varying degrees of public services. Many nations have socialist or center-left political parties that influence policy, but that doesn't make the country itself socialist in the traditional sense.

 

[VonBonfire]

Every developed country except the United States has socialised medicine. That doesn't make them socialist.

I'm sorry brother we'll have to agree to disagree here. Most of those same socialized medicine nations also have strict gun regulations. America is different at many levels than most developed countries. You might see it as a net negative, some would call it American exceptionalism I would call it people who didn't want to be like Europe so they left.

 

[Thumbpicker]

Yes very good but many of those countries have socialized medicine. For example, Costa Rica.

I get treatment without bankrupting me. I'm glad I don't live in the US.

 

[JDs Couch]

I get treatment without bankrupting me. I'm glad I don't live in the US.

Yep.

 

[SatanicPanic]

Every developed country except the United States has socialised medicine. That doesn't make them socialist.

This, 100%. We could have single payer, universal healthcare, or Medicare for all here like every other developed country in the world and still be capitalist AF. It's not either/or. We pay more for worse outcomes. I'm all for capitalism but our current implementation is failing here.

The Republicans have no plan at all for health care other than vague promises. They only talk about grievances over the ACA yet offer zero meaningful solutions. Democrat establishment is no better.

 

[JDs Couch]

I'm sorry brother we'll have to agree to disagree here. Most of those same socialized medicine nations also have strict gun regulations. America is different at many levels than most developed countries. You might see it as a net negative, some would call it American exceptionalism I would call it people who didn't want to be like Europe so they left.

Again, I respect your opinion, but having gun laws doesn't make a country socialist.

 

[VonBonfire]

I get treatment without bankrupting me. I'm glad I don't live in the US.

In the US the retired accountant was paid well enough to afford private health care, which is superior any socialized stuff you get here.

 

[JDs Couch]

I'm sorry brother we'll have to agree to disagree here. Most of those same socialized medicine nations also have strict gun regulations. America is different at many levels than most developed countries. You might see it as a net negative, some would call it American exceptionalism I would call it people who didn't want to be like Europe so they left.

"Socialism is a political and economic system where the means of production are owned and controlled, either publicly or collectively, rather than privately. It generally aims to create a more egalitarian society through social ownership of resources and wealth, often involving state or government control. "

Nothing about guns there...

 

[Thumbpicker]

Hearing people with very little money arguing that high cost healthcare is a good thing just explains why certain people in the US also believe in flat earths. Just plain dumb.

 

[Thumbpicker]

In the US the retired accountant was paid well enough to afford private health care, which is superior any socialized stuff you get here.

Here in Australia the retired accountant gets to keep his retirement savings and gets affordable healthcare. Same as everyone else.

 

[VonBonfire]

Hearing people with very little money arguing that high cost healthcare is a good thing just explains why certain people in the US also believe in flat earths. Just plain dumb.

The United States is a leader in medical innovations because it is profitable, not because it is free.

 

[JDs Couch]

In the US the retired accountant was paid well enough to afford private health care, which is superior any socialized stuff you get here.

That's great for those who can afford it. But you have 25 to 30 million Americans with no health care. And you have about 300,000 medical bankruptcies per year.
Wouldn't a Christian want to take care of his brothers and sisters?

 

[VonBonfire]

Here in Australia the retired accountant gets to keep his retirement savings and gets affordable healthcare

Here in the US the accountant would be expected to find a job that provides him or her with good medical coverage for themselves if they determined that was important to them.

 

[Thumbpicker]

The United States is a leader in medical innovations because it is profitable, not because it is free.

We are a leader in medical innovations here too. Moron. Including in pharmaceuticals.

 

[JDs Couch]

Here in the US the accountant would be expected to find a job that provides him or her with good medical coverage for themselves if they determined that was important to them.

That's great for those who can afford it. But you have 25 to 30 million Americans with no health care. And you have about 300,000 medical bankruptcies per year.
Wouldn't a Christian want to take care of his brothers and sisters?

That’s around two-thirds of all personal bankruptcies, translating to roughly 260K–300K cases annually.

Even insured individuals are frequently driven into bankruptcy by medical expenses.

 

[JDs Couch]

Here in the US the accountant would be expected to find a job that provides him or her with good medical coverage for themselves if they determined that was important to them.

I think it's important to everyone...whether they know it or not.