tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post3069133769786952141..comments2024-03-28T11:48:06.623-04:00Comments on Veteran AF: What Does Socialism Look Like? It Looks Like Us.Neil Gussmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667154945595202472noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post-89595358062575568272009-12-08T09:27:44.936-05:002009-12-08T09:27:44.936-05:00Agree with what Anonymous said - That top-rate Bla...Agree with what Anonymous said - That top-rate Blackhawk crew chief won't be ab E-4 for long, while the fat truck driver will never see another promotion unless he gets his act together.<br /><br />In a true socialist system, the E-4's will have the same base-pay as the Division Commander.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post-61121189359119353932009-12-05T15:10:17.443-05:002009-12-05T15:10:17.443-05:00Well, one thing to consider is that a normal socia...Well, one thing to consider is that a normal socialist society wouldn't be funded from outside, so the military represents a fairly prosperous society from the socialist mold.<br /><br />The medical thing is kinda missing the point, guys.<br /><br />I, too, was extensively treated under the military medical system and while it was alright, the hurry up and wait was staggering and they took so long diagnose my injury properly that by the time I got surgery, they'd added an extra eight months to rehab due to muscle atrophy and an extreme loss of flexibility.<br /><br />I was injured the day before a scheduled leave, so I went home and went to the ER there, and was in to see an orthopedic surgeon inside three days. He diagnosed me with a serious ACL and meniscus tear (injuries from deployment let go in combatives training right after we redeployed), and he could have had me in surgery in less than a month if I was staying in town.<br /><br />Guess how long it took me to even see a surgeon back at post? Three months. They lost my MRI image, and my knee was guarding so badly they couldn't even conclusively say my ACL was torn, despite my repeated explanation and a writeup from one of the best orthopedic surgeons in New York. Eventually they agreed to scope my knee, after another four months of rehab that was not working, and do a repair if necessary (obviously it was). The surgeon himself was awesome, but the system was ridiculous.<br /><br />After all that, it's not like the military medical system on the whole is SOCIALIST. It's just a horrible bureaucracy. In a true socialist system, the incentive wouldn't be there at all for such a skilled surgeon to have worked on my knee. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs, does not really apply here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post-12250216818113613802009-12-04T17:06:39.812-05:002009-12-04T17:06:39.812-05:00At least the E4 who excels has a chance to be prom...At least the E4 who excels has a chance to be promoted over the E4 who goofs off.<br />Under a true socialistic system, the E4 who excels in his job would have the same opportunity to be promoted as the one who goofs off - basically no chance at all unless he pays off the right people.<br />-JulianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post-43723101736909190942009-12-02T23:25:56.586-05:002009-12-02T23:25:56.586-05:00Military medicine has been great for me. The surg...Military medicine has been great for me. The surgeon who fixed my broken neck honed his skills in Baghdad. I wrote this just because I hear the word used in silly ways by commentators. Socialism like capitalism has its good and bad points.Neil Gussmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667154945595202472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post-24391748445729867242009-12-02T17:05:01.654-05:002009-12-02T17:05:01.654-05:00During the healthcare debate, I liked to point out...During the healthcare debate, I liked to point out that I had government-run "socialized" medicine for almost seven years while I was in the Marine Corps and given the option, would go back to it in a heartbeat, rather than take my chances with a private plan. I don't want a company whose goal is to make money to take care of my medical needs.ماريةhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636404807941246640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post-87615837425482881092009-12-01T23:32:31.159-05:002009-12-01T23:32:31.159-05:00May I just say, wow. A truly interesting and guts...May I just say, wow. A truly interesting and gutsy perspective. I have a question though, under this "socialist" system are you happy, content, fulfilled? There is a common purpose and a dedication to an end goal, but is that spark of individualism and uniqueness that God created in each of us able to thrive, over the long-term, in such a "socialist" system? Is "productivity" alone expected to be the only gratifying end to the means? Is inward happiness and contentment even obtainable in a socialist construct where individuality is considered counterproductive to the perceived end goal of the collective? <br /><br />I find this very fascinating, Neil. Thanks for serving up interesting food for thought today.Susan Cronkhttp://show-me-op-ed.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post-53726322748490909542009-12-01T19:56:51.749-05:002009-12-01T19:56:51.749-05:00Something to think about next time the polls are o...Something to think about next time the polls are open. Thanks for this perspective. JasonTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395959113568829045.post-73161010107660631452009-12-01T17:19:12.738-05:002009-12-01T17:19:12.738-05:00Hmm,never thought of it that way.Hmm,never thought of it that way.dennisnoreply@blogger.com