rhys

I hate to say I told you so, but many of you guys in here supported these guys(ronnie, goeorge and george) with thier goal to line their pockets as much as possible by fulfiiling thier evil adgenda, while many others warned that your economy will surrer tremendously..... Guess what, It did. and the country will be more at risk with a weaker economy. kinda a waste of time don't you think? Unfortunately for many other economies they will be bought down with it. I'm glad my country has just started pumping its vast oil reserves, as much as an environmentalist I am, keeping your country green costs money. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

While I agree with the safety aspect of this comment I do disagree that the resurgence and evolution of this activity should only be reserved for experienced skydivers and paragliders. You can go to the GLC in California, or the the boogie they are having in Sweden later in the year.... with no canopy experience whatsoever and be speed flying safely, in only a few days. It is all about risk management. And there is a safe progression. Every snowboarder and skier is going to want to try it, so they can session thier slopes in summer too. Why make them learn something else first when they dont have to, or necesssarily want to. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Not too sure here yet but in NZ ACC is about 6% of your earnings if you are a commercial skydiver. The % is based on liability, determined from the statistics of previous injuries in that field. My average income for the last 4 years there has been around NZ$50000 so I guess in a I pay circa NZ$3000 anually/or 4 work jumps a month. Our income tax is for the most part between 20% - 35%. that pays for many services and infrastructure. Including education, heatlth, infrustructure, emergency services, environment, military.... Notice military is way down the list. We also pay ACC levies when we drive on the road and purchase petrol. That covers the road (and other)accidents that have nothing to do with Commercial activity, as well as the ones that do. I'll have to wait and see how much it costs here but I can't ever remember anyone talking about it so it couldn't be too much of a concern. I'll find out. Everyone is catered for (residents and citizens). In the USA at presen, those in need are considered to be un-organised or stupid? they are outcast and many become homeless............ The one true fundemental problem with most problems we face in 'the world' today is Human Nature. We would have to balance our greed and our goodwill and only then we should be able to co-exist without a problem. Why dont we? Greed and selfishness. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Without getting personal and strayin away from the subjecy how about poor old Akarunaway? Where has that $43K investment gone? These HSA accounts seem better than insurance in some ways but If you can't afford what you need you are fucked. Seems like a selfish system to me, that is my main problem with it. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I believe they should know both! without such knowledge they should not be practicing and/or the system is too complex. Especially in the US system where yoou have rediculous over the top litigation claims to worry about. (well maybe not you personally, they are good for your profession) Is that your prediction. Are you kidding, you guys pay far more, get less and all the money goes into the bank accounts and investments of large corporations rather than building and maintaining infrastucture and providing services that help provide a healthyountry/economy. I have to go to the doctor today, I havn't made an appointment, I will have to wait about 45 minutes and then I will be gone. I don't have to bring my wallet, just a medicare card. (I am in Australia). I havn't even paid a cent yet for medicare as the tax year has not finished. The system is different here, but it is still free to use, Tax pays for it. What is the mean income tax % inthe USA? All those tanks, guns and aeroplanes are not free? Where does that moeney come from. not to stray away from the subject but that seems rather socialised to me. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

It is sad that you don't understand your health system and you are a physician. I don't know ours inside out but I know enough to Not have to worry about how I am going to pay for health insurance because I don't NEED it, or hospital bills because there aren't any. Quite a load of anyones shoulders. What is the average monthy charge for heath insurance for the average American citizen? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Is capitalist medicine better than socialised medicine IYO? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

You are still confusing sickness with accidents. This is more to do what we call the sickness benifit, which is an income while you are ill and provides all the post treatment care that keeps the rehabilitation period shorter. break your arm/smash your teeth out/fimur yourself.......any injury, you and any person on new Zealand soil is covered, no bills. You pay an ACC levy when you rent your car, purchase fuel etc. no hospital bills. Do you get it now, I'm kinda sick of talking about it because it is kinda only relevant as a comparison to the subject at hand, Someone with a bee in their bonnet changed the title of the thread which seems pointless. I've never had to pay for healthcare in my own counrty (or Australia). That is my comparison. I feel bad you don't have it that way but obviously you like they way it is there. I hope you agree to disagree, becaue this conversation seems pointless. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Damd straight, the best workhorse in the world! hands down. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

So in canada you don't get a bill for this healthcare, in the UK you don't get a bill for healthcare, you may wait but if you are in critcal condition you will be operated on. No Bill!! If you want private health insurance due to lack of faith in the govornment in these countries... then you have the freedom to do so at a less expensive price and you will recieve treatment immediately. is that so hard to grasp? It is not a perfect system but it is better than having people dying because they cannot afford/ are too fat/ too thin/too old/to get insurance, or because they simply got ripped off. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

The part you don't seem to grasp is that in these countries, if you want to have private healthcare you can also. Then you will be treated immediately. In the Freedom nation of the USA you must have insurance or......? A waiting list is better then a kick in the bumb. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Go Back, look at your links and information, Look under injuries...... find ACC. This page I found in 3 clicks from your link; http://www.acc.co.nz/about-acc/acc-media-centre/faqs/MDC_00087 so therefore.... Any person receiving medical assistance from the govornment system, due to an injury sutained in New Zealand, will not recieve a bill, they may have to pay a subsidised amount for pharmacueticals however, once they leave the hospital/medical centre. Ambulance, aneathatist, seargons, drugs, physiotherapy are all covererd...no bills. Why can't you beleive that. It is actually true in many countries. Litigation or lack there of is another reason we don't have to pay so much. If you accept assistance from ACC you forfeit the right to sue. Now back to the actual subject.... Don't you feel the corporations in The USA have a firm grip on what happens in the healthcare system there? If the govornment deesn't provide healthcare, who will? and what would be the reason they would want to do so. My answers to the last two questions are, for the most part, 'Business people' and 'to make money', respectively. You can't brush off the Sicko move as This discussion is not about you it is about the US healthcare sytem and this movie points out some valid serious allegations. they were not acting, these 'ARE' worst case scenarios but this is happening. your mate Ronald M. Davis, MD, can't seem to grasp the thought of 'Socialised healthcare' either. More likely though he is just wrapped up in a sweet little number right now. This new proposal he talks of seems more like a credit system for those that can't afford it at the time... imagine the interest they could claim!! You should only need private health insurance as a luxury IMHO. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Now call me a commie conspiracy theorist, but I just watched 'Sicko' the new Michael Moore film and it points out exactly the points I was trying to get at about this subject. What are your thoughts on this film. Looked pretty black and white to me. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Cool, where are you going? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Just recieved this information today; LUIGI CANI SETS NEW WORLD RECORD LANDING JVX 37 (Perris Valley Skydiving, California) February 2008 - Brazilian stuntman Luigi Cani soars into history once again by landing the smallest, fastest parachute in the world! At just 37 square feet, the JVX-37 by NZ Aerosports is smaller than a twin bed sheet and flew at speeds over 100mph! In a class all his own, Cani is motivated by the challenge of breaking through boundaries to redefine the limits of extreme skydiving. As a leader in the sport of skydiving and canopy piloting, Luigi Cani helped pioneer competition high-performance parachute wings for years with Icarus and now Daedalus canopies. The average jumper's parachute is 300-500 percent larger than the JVX-37. This jump was particularly dangerous because a canopy this small has never been landed, thus there was no way to predetermine the speed at which he would impact the ground. Luigi has set two previous world parachuting records, holds the current world freefall record at 343mph, and recently jumped a motorcycle off the Grand Canyon, BASE jumping to the bottom. A short documentary film on the JVX 37 project will be released online in 2008. More photos & information on the record breaking stunt at: www.canopypiloting.com The JVX is made by NZ Aerosports for Daedalus canopies "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

don't be sorry, I was just interested! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Maybe I should let the right people explain what I mean! http://www.acc.co.nz/about-acc/WCM001278?ssSourceNodeId=3860&ssSourceSiteId=1494 Click the link on the pages about the About the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001. http://www.acc.co.nz/about-acc/WCM000139?ssSourceNodeId=3860&ssSourceSiteId=1494#info If you get sick you 'are' covered for free, but there are waiting lists, obviously as it s not a perfect world. We do have private hospitals also if anyone would rather. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

You are all up in arms arent you, I have never said health care is free, I have said if you have a serious accident you will be fixed and you will not be charged. If you have lung cancer... you pay if you puncture a lung... you do not pay if your teeth are smashed out... you do not pay If you teeth are rotten with decay... you pay You seem to assume that every person is blesses with the exact same opportunities to earn a living and look after themselves. What about an orphan with down syndrome? what if your insurance company goes into liquidation (this is what happened to my freind with the broken arm that wasn't fixed for 5 days until his parents forked out the money) Not everyone is in the same shoes and not everyone has an equal advantage to make informed and intellegent decisions for themselves. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Are you positive you are talking PC9 and not PC109? The PC9 has the widest feild of vision I have seen on any sony video camera. In fact our PC9 is too wide for my partners helmet as it gets the helmet in the shot where no other camera has done that with the same lens. I have never had a PC1000 but they didn't strike me as being that wide at all when I have seen footage from them. Just curious. To the the OP, I would buy both of those cameras if I were you! PC type camera are becoming 'Hens Teeth' "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Actually it does apply to me. I will be in the USA for about 5 weeks later this year training. I will have to purchase much more comprehensive insurance as I have to make sure it covers Skydiving injuries. In New Zealand you don't have to worry about that. You argue for privatisation because it is good for you (you own a medical clinic or have implied that you do), you say "why should I share 'my' wealth that 'I' have created for myself. This is what I don't agree with, this argument has nothing to do with healthcare, it is all about attitude. In your rationale, what responsabilities does the govornment have if healthcare is not one on the list? Education?, Infrastructure?, dare i say it Defence/ War. Space travel. Would you rather pay No Tax and have anarchy? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

When I read this I wondered if I had been insane, I knew I had written these words, but couldn't imagine myself using those particular words in reply to what you had posted. Looking back through my messages I learned that you had been debating your points with me through private messages. After the 7th message arguing your point including statements such as “I decided I had had enough, I was actually researching the 911 'attacks' at the time and was furious with the US system for being so corrupt. This fueled my response with anger. The post I am replying to here was a blatant and intentional attempt of 'Defamation of character' You Lie, my comment was not the response to the comment you posted at all. It was the response to these comments from you. Your opinion and mine are different. Please keep debate to the forums and personal messages out of the forums. Play fair. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Maybe you were being sarcastic? But that doesn't seem that good to me, I have an altitrack that has mechanical parts and never turns off. I have had it longer than a year and use it most days and have done over 500 jumps and the battery is not even showing any signs of weakening on the battery life meter. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Assuming that comment is aimed at me? All I expect is to be fixed if I am broken. if I am going to be in excruciating pain i should be fixed. O.K. the OP felt woozy but this is about healthcare not an individual case. The fact of the matter is that healthcare has become a very profitable busines rather than a public service. without regulation the private businesses become more concerned with making money than healthcare itself. i'm not saying healthcare should be entitrly the responsability of the govornment, but it is up to the govornment to make sure unethical practices do not be allowed to operate. Human nature is something we are all aware of, humans are selfish and greedy. especially when it comes to money. Heathcare is not about money, it is about healthcare. And by the way I Do wan't to make a good go of it in business and havean enjoyable life, I do not however desire to have billions to my name! a significant amount of those trillions that have been sifted off the money all americans pay in taxes to be better off as americans, i.e. Iraq are sitting in the bank acoount of a few fat cat americans (and others). Is war about ethics or money?, many trillions have been spent on a war intead of healthcare and education. Is healthcare about money or ethics?, humans are greedy/selfish/stupid. To say that it is the responsability of each individual to look after thier own healthcare is asking for trouble. you may well be responsable, what about those that don't have the capacity to be responsable? do we simply let those with disabilities die on the street because they are no able to support themselves or think for themselves? Ethics or money, you decide. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

yes obviously, if you want to consider your country great. eg. I understand the Tanzanian govornment can't go and pay for every citizen to go to the doctor. But the USA should be able to, if it want to be considerd the great country it makes itself out to be. Break your arm in my country and it will cost you absolutely nothing for the treatment, even if you are a tourist! no insrance nessescary. I was operated on within 8 hours of breaking my arm and that included a hour ride in a helecopter. The money is there for all this, but it could be doing the right thing or sitting an some fat cats bank account! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Imagine if all those trillions that were invested in the Iraq war were actually invested in i USA's interests rather than the oil companies interests what a great counrty it could be! I have heard many shocking stories (from Frinds who have experienced them) abouth the healthcare system in the USA. No govornment is perfect but if you are denied to be seen to when you have a broken arm (a good friend had this experience after a snowboarding incident) due to insurance complicatons then there is something wrong with that govornment. Healthcare is a govornments' responsability. Not a corporations'. healthcare has to be paid for in some way or another yes, but it has to be offered when it is really needed not when it has been paid for. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix