[Rob Hood]

http://www.autoextremist.com/current/2008/7/8/rants-453.html

Was listening to some newsradio today - many analysts are painting a bleak picture. Heard that Hummer and Saab were going to be let go, maybe more. I've already seen where Chevy is not sponsoring several NASCAR races next year.

Rick Wagoner is supposed to deliver an announcement tomorrow morning at 0830 EST. Should be worth listening to.

This post has been edited by Rob Hood: Jul 15 2008, 05:59 AM

[trackbird]

Oil price fell about 9 bucks last week too, then spiked right back up.

I didn't say that this was the big one. Just that it seems that they are finally starting to get the message that they are in a cycle that can't last forever. It may go up another $25 a barrel before they start to truly believe it, but just that they recognize that they are headed for a bubble is a good start.

Eugenio, what can you tell us about Canadian health care? So far every Canadian I have spoken to has no complaints and no big Dr. bills. I am sick, sick of our health care system! I am self-employed and it looks like I'll have to get a second job just to pay for health insurance. That's not right.

Julie,

I'm not Canadian, but I remember reading about the emerging "secondary" healthcare system in Canada. Those who can afford to pay, do. Otherwise, you wait extended periods of time to get to a Dr. So, if you don't want to waith 6 months to find out why your toe hurts, you pay a private Dr. to see you (if you can afford it). This isn't the norm, but it was starting to show up in Canada in the last few years. Eugenio can clarify if it's still going on and to what extend as well as how long wait times are for care. I can only share what I've read, but it could have been "spun" by an "anti-national healthcare" news agency for US consumption. Sadly the self employed take a beating in this country. If you don't run a business with 1,000 employees (thus making money and having enough clout to get some kind of healthcare setup through the business for the employees), you're pretty well stuck. And that's a pretty bad situation to be in.

Maybe Eugenio can correct me if I'm wrong (and as usual, I very well could be). I don't think we want to go to a national healthcare system. And, the lucrative jobs in medicine will likely get less lucrative. That will likely reduce the quality and quantity of those who are going into healthcare. Less available and less skilled Dr's could be a result. I think it will upset the apple cart in this country, but I won't claim to be smart enough to predict the extent of the fallout.

[marka]

Howdy,

Sadly the self employed take a beating in this country. If you don't run a business with 1,000 employees (thus making money and having enough clout to get some kind of healthcare setup through the business for the employees), you're pretty well stuck. And that's a pretty bad situation to be in.

Self employed, retired, unemployed, work for a small company, can't afford the premium even if the health care is offered, the health care offered is a "mini-med" type product that still leaves you bankrupt if you actually get sick, etc. etc. etc.

The system is f*cked up, people.

Mark