Europeans are bewildered that Americans can feel more threatened by Janet Jackson's breast than by unregulated handguns. But the Bush administration had to work hard to take all the good will accumulated over the decades since World War II and the Marshall Plan, and replace it with distrust and hostility. As my Uncle José, who is profoundly pro-American, puts it sadly: "There's so much anti-Americanism now. That is Bush's achievement."

excerpted from "A Spanish Lesson" (By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Published: April 10, 2004, New York Times)

Random notes.........

Retail cost of my last blood test........$ 141.25
My Blue Cross discount....................$ 119.55
My net cost...................................$ 21.70

So, the cost to people who can't afford or can't qualify for health insurance is.......$ 141.25.

So, probably they can't afford the blood test, either, and get sicker, and eventually get treated in a public health facility........which, if I remember right, is supported by the "government," which is funded by taxes, which are paid by.......?

But if we had tax-supported health care, like all of the other "civilized" nations, wouldn't my tax dolars go directly to helping these people instead of being funnelled through a private, for-profit insurance company that rakes off some for itself?

Just wondering.