What we had was far from perfect

A gentleman from Everett, in a Dec. 5 letter to the editor, expressed very justifiable frustration with the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

To think, though, that everything was better before the government got involved is wrong.

We are virtually the only developed nation in the world without socialized health care. America’s borderline paranoia of government has obstructed progress in providing universal health care every step of the way. Our health care system is, as a result, broken badly. It is designed to serve mostly the well-to-do. What else would a profit-based system do?

For instance, America is the absolute only developed nation to not provide paid maternity leave. This should be embarrassing. We spend an obscenely high amount on care for those with means. Much more than any other nation spends to care for everyone. I could understand this some if it resulted in significantly better care. This crazy inefficiency is the result of the free market with its influence in Congress. The total list of America’s shortfalls in providing basic health care is much longer than this letter could hold. Look up the numbers. It will just take a few minutes.

We treat our children worse than most nations.

So don’t complain too much about the government when it comes to health care. You have the one you deserve.

Rick Walker

Snohomish