Well, lets be honest - its never been "free" healthcare. Its paid via higher taxes.Broad Ford wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:09 pm Healthcare for profit only works for those who can afford it. Those struggling on low wages will struggle to pay the monthly contribution that, like the mandatory pension contributions, are certainly coming their way. At first the unemployed won't pay the contribution, they'll be happy until they then have to pay when government changes hands and the runners up then portion the blame.
This blaming is a silly game played by the elites. First it was Labour that opened the doors to privatisation then the Tories flung them wide open. NHS assets continue to be cashed in to the highest bidder and people keep falling for the stories printed and beamed into them by the private media companies. With each new government we edge further towards privatisation and we are seemingly powerless to preserve what our ancestors created for the benefit of us all. Free healthcare.
However in most sophisticated economies, people are fine with doing that. The big issue imo, is that in many countries - UK, USA and going that way in Canada, we are confusing politics with government.
Example as to what I mean:
Saw a great conversation on a US travel program - not sure if you get it in the UK - Rick Steves. He's from the Northwest of the US and has been dong 1/2 hour travel programs, mainly on Europe, for years. He's a geeky dude but is generally objective and thorough.
In a recent one he did in Denmark, he was being toured around by a local couple - born and raised in Copenhagen. She took him to the local town hall in her town - an impressive building with great artwork on the walls, etc. She explained that in Denmark, they pay most attention to the local/municipal level of government, then the state level and only then the national level. That's because its local government that makes the most difference in our lives. Their system really holds local and state level politicians to account - town hall meetings sounded almost like a shareholder meeting in a private corporation - and very well attended.
It's no surprise the Scandinavian countries have the some of the best healthcare and education systems in the world. They also constantly top surveys on 'quality of life' etc. (I've always been impressed by their efficiency and calmness whenever I've been in that part of the world.)
When he asked her about whether she was OK with paying their very high taxes, her answer really surprised him. She said yes of course, but what we ensure we get is high quality services. AND .... we don't have to be constantly worrying and working on which health coverage to get and where, where we should send kids to school for a decent education, paying constant bills, etc.
In their view part of the 'quality of life' is about not having to make so many day-to-day decisions.
I know I sound like a socialist here - I am not. (actually a business background and career) But I am, these days, even less of a capitalist.
So let's focus on government and what effective government means - not the empty barrel politicians who soak up most of our media (the next 10 months here in the US is going to be like poking needles in your eyes as the Trump circus tours the country).
I don't know how we change the narrative and focus, but we need to.
Not going to go into my opinions on either but surely a country of over 300,000,000 can find a couple of decent, hardworking, honest, smart candidates like we have here in the UK. 
On the earlier topic of pallets, I’ve been thinking about getting a log burner, currently an open fire, and have started stockpiling as many free pallets as possible
