"Health" Care Reform and Life Expectancy

[equinox]

One of the arguments of health care reform advocates is that despite the large amount of money we spend on health care, our life expectancy lags behind other industrialized countries. How ironic that the key advocate, our President, is a smoker. American lifestyle choices and societal influences are responsible for our lagging life expectancy and no amount of reform or spending in the "health" care system is going to change that. Our "health" care system has nothing to do with health and everything to do with disease. It would be more accurately described as a disease care system. We all know the culprits, just look around Western New York-one of the least health conscious areas of the country. Epidemic obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, drinking, drug abuse, poor driving habits, terrible eating habits; it's disgusting. None of these things will change with "health" care reform. You know that program where they convert abandoned railroad rights of way into bike paths? In Colorado, communities fight over getting them. In Western New York, they are rejected. I walk through communities and see hundreds of fat-assed adults and children and I see signs on the road; "NO Bike Path". Could you imagine how awesome it would be to have that path running from East Aurora, Orchard Park, West Falls, Springville and south to Ashford Hollow.There's a real disconnect-people don't get it. YOU are responsible for your own health. I know-that's a harsh concept. It's always someone else's fault. Don't misinterpret this as "blaming" the victim. People get sick and require care. I just firmly know that if we took control of our health from an early age and made smarter lifestyle choices, there would be less illness and we would require less of our "disease" care system. Oh, and of course you would see an improvement in our life expectancy. This whole debate is not really about health care at all. It is about economics. Wealthier people are GENERALLY smarter and healthier. The role of the government is to facilitate enterprise by limiting excessive taxation and regulation. These "stimulus" and "cash-for-clunkers" programs are not the solution. I have un-wavering faith in the American people. The government should be there to support individual achievement, and basically get out of the way.

[equinox]

The truth hurts?

[FMD]

Would YOU want YOUR property to butt up against a bike path? Where strangers can look into you back yard at all hours of the day? Sure you can put up a fence, but often times, the bike path roadway is elevated, making your fence, sort of useless. Especially if your zoned residential you cant put up an 8ft fence.

Throwing a party? Want to lay in your back yard in a bikini on a hot summer day, and have a cold one? Get to have all these strangers drool in your direction? who wants that?

Not to mention, the added noise from barking dogs, noisy bicycles, children and teenagers... people walkin by yappin on their cell phones?

Not to mention the added garbage... and the increased probability of vandelism, theft and home invasions...

Would YOU want that in YOUR backyard? I wouldnt.

While bike paths are nice and all, fact is, they come with ALOT of negatives.

Plus, the added costs for maintaining that 6ft wide 'road'. And the grass cutting, tree trimming, garbage removal...

Sure it may only increase our taxes 10cents each, but the fact is, those 10 cents add up in a hurry.

[Mindcrime]

If you can't install a tall fence, plant some shrubs and you'll soon have a natural 'fence.'

By why cover it up? You get a nice view of the roller-girls in shorts, or the hunks running by sans shirt, whichever your preference.

[equinox]

Would YOU want YOUR property to butt up against a bike path? Where strangers can look into you back yard at all hours of the day? Sure you can put up a fence, but often times, the bike path roadway is elevated, making your fence, sort of useless. Especially if your zoned residential you cant put up an 8ft fence.

Throwing a party? Want to lay in your back yard in a bikini on a hot summer day, and have a cold one? Get to have all these strangers drool in your direction? who wants that?

Not to mention, the added noise from barking dogs, noisy bicycles, children and teenagers... people walkin by yappin on their cell phones?

Not to mention the added garbage... and the increased probability of vandelism, theft and home invasions...

Would YOU want that in YOUR backyard? I wouldnt.

While bike paths are nice and all, fact is, they come with ALOT of negatives.

Plus, the added costs for maintaining that 6ft wide 'road'. And the grass cutting, tree trimming, garbage removal...

Sure it may only increase our taxes 10cents each, but the fact is, those 10 cents add up in a hurry.

I was afraid this would turn into the bike path debate, but,yes, I would want it in my backyard.

[equinox]

OK. Let's go off on a tangent. I think the rails-to-trails idea is great and I think the negatives to the adjacent properties is grossly overstated. There are tremendous benefits to the community at large. I don't understand why a project like the trail from East Aurora to Ashford Hollow needs to be debated by each fiefdom along the way. This is why things around here never get done. You already have an abandoned rail line behind your house. I think I would have more concerns about that than a well used bike path from a personal security perspective. I would go with a hedgerow or some natural tree barrier if I had privacy concerns. The people I've encountered on bike paths have no interest in infringeing on your privacy or harming your personal property. They are usually focussed on whatever activity they are doing. There are doubtless isolated bad incidents, but far more occur on the road in front of your house. I see bike paths as a major positive in a region whose population desperately needs them. They are my idea of personal health care reform.

[Dumbfounded]

One of the arguments of health care reform advocates is that despite the large amount of money we spend on health care, our life expectancy lags behind other industrialized countries. How ironic that the key advocate, our President, is a smoker. American lifestyle choices and societal influences are responsible for our lagging life expectancy and no amount of reform or spending in the "health" care system is going to change that. Our "health" care system has nothing to do with health and everything to do with disease. It would be more accurately described as a disease care system. We all know the culprits, just look around Western New York-one of the least health conscious areas of the country. Epidemic obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, drinking, drug abuse, poor driving habits, terrible eating habits; it's disgusting. None of these things will change with "health" care reform. You know that program where they convert abandoned railroad rights of way into bike paths? In Colorado, communities fight over getting them. In Western New York, they are rejected. I walk through communities and see hundreds of fat-assed adults and children and I see signs on the road; "NO Bike Path". Could you imagine how awesome it would be to have that path running from East Aurora, Orchard Park, West Falls, Springville and south to Ashford Hollow.There's a real disconnect-people don't get it. YOU are responsible for your own health. I know-that's a harsh concept. It's always someone else's fault. Don't misinterpret this as "blaming" the victim. People get sick and require care. I just firmly know that if we took control of our health from an early age and made smarter lifestyle choices, there would be less illness and we would require less of our "disease" care system. Oh, and of course you would see an improvement in our life expectancy. This whole debate is not really about health care at all. It is about economics. Wealthier people are GENERALLY smarter and healthier. The role of the government is to facilitate enterprise by limiting excessive taxation and regulation. These "stimulus" and "cash-for-clunkers" programs are not the solution. I have un-wavering faith in the American people. The government should be there to support individual achievement, and basically get out of the way.


I'm amazed that Obama has not turned the FDA upside down and shake out the lying scum who've enabled big pharma to push their poisons onto the consumers;Too many conflicts of interest.

Then there's the proposed tax on soda;Pop which is negligible when ALL refined sugar and flour has to go;The American diet and lack of physical activity and the crap food and the high side-effect medications we take
work in a sinister synergistic way to destroy our health and you'd think that someone as smart as Obama would recognize this
but-

Obama IS a "team player" for the most part;He DOES kiss corporate ass on some levels because NO ONE becomes President without a good dose of corruption and hypocrisy in their lives.

So don't expect Obama to EVER try and reform what's the American way of life that adds up to tens-of-billions in profit yearly for corporate America.

[FMD]

I am not arguing that americans, in general, need to get off their asses more. However, spending tens of thousands of dollars on bike paths, and forcing hundreds of residents to live with the side effects, Plus raising taxes to pay for the new path, is dumb. How about ya cancel your lawn service buy a lawn mower and do it yourself? Same with snow removal.

With the fiscal shape that the twons are in, we dont need another bike path. And, not only that, but old rail road beds offer sanctuary for wildlife. Id rather walk down a trail, and get eatin alive by mesquitos, than walk down a bike path. At least the trial offers a smidge of 'adventure'

[ILOVEDNY]

OK. Let's go off on a tangent. I think the rails-to-trails idea is great

Somewhere on the Appalachian Trail.
http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2830&stc=1&d=1252975926

[equinox]

There is still a lot of wildlife and mosquitos on the bike paths I've been on. And there are plenty of hiking trails if you want more "adventure". The cost issue would be solved by taking money away from wasteful social programs that unfairly benefit a few and divert those funds to projects that benefit the whole community. I would have no problem putting able bodied welfare recipients on the project building the path, win-win. This issue of "side effects" is overstated and are outweighed by the benefits. On Sunday, the parking lot for the Clarence Bike Path was full. Adults, kids and families enjoying the great outdoors. What's not to love?