Justin Bieber On Health Care: U.S. System 'Evil'

[romantico]

Posted: 2/16/11 at 4:56pm

Justin Bieber has taken the United States by storm, but if he gets sick, he may find himself retreating back to Canada -- and not just for the home-cooked meals.

Bieber, a 16-year old popstar who was nominated for two Grammys and saw his bio movie make $30 million this weekend, covers the new issue of Rolling Stone. In addition to talking the usual trappings of fame -- the music, the tour stories, the girls -- the magazine asked him to wade a bit into the political waters. At least on one major issue, he already has a fully formed opinion.

Asked if he wanted to become an American citizen, Bieber made clear his love for Canada -- and its health care system.

"You guys are evil," he told the magazine, out on February 18th. "Canada's the best country in the world. We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills. My bodyguard's baby was premature, and now he has to pay for it. In Canada, if your baby's premature, he stays in the hospital as long as he needs to, and then you go home."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-takes-on-evil-us-health-care_n_823942.html

[Anakela]

Posted: 2/16/11 at 5:03pm

Has anyone actually read the entire article? Because I am wondering if he was follow-up asked about how much insurance he pays for on his employees, such as his bodyguard with the sick baby.

(There's no way I'm going to make it beyond the rape "happens for a reason" to stomach reading the entire article; I was just curious.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/16/11 at 5:51pm

You pay for the "free" health care in Canada by massive taxation . I doubt many in the US would opt for more than half your salary to go for taxes for "free" health care. He probably forgot to mention that.

He also has enough money not to worry about health. Are there problems that need fixing, yes . Evil? I suggest he gets his facts right and actually gets a grasp of the topic before he spouts off.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/16/11 at 5:59pm

I think he's not the only one who needs to get his facts right.


Canadian Tax Rates

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/16/11 at 6:11pm

I will say that 15% for the Canadian's first tax bracket is more than double the effective tax rate I paid on my 2010 return. Obviously it's nowhere near the "more than half my salary" quoted by some on here, but still higher than I would be happy with.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/16/11 at 6:25pm

I'm not a Bieber fan at all, but I will say this:

1)The author of the article states that he laughs after saying "you guys are evil". It was a joke.

2)I'm sure he no concept about what is involved in health care either in Canada or the US. And at 16 why would anyone expect him to.

3)How many times is this story going to be posted? Are we really trying to villify a 16 year old? He's a twit and god knows he grates my nerves, but I'm reserving my scorn for more worthy targets.

[siny]

Posted: 2/16/11 at 7:28pm

Maybe taxes in Canada are a little higher than they are here, but they also don't have a $1.5 trillion budget deficit, due in large part to our insanely expensive health care system.
Justin Bieber may be a twit, but he is a whole lot smarter than many adults in the US.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/16/11 at 10:02pm

I'm not sure I'd go THAT far.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 2/17/11 at 1:44am

Do ya really think that if my taxes were 50 % of my salary I could go/do half the stuff I do? REALLY? I pay a $60.00 month OHIP premium ( & there are them in Ont. in who think THAT is too much!!)
Les, see I got a total hysterectomy/salpingectomy/oophrectomy omentum & cervix removal- my cost - Oh yeh that $60.00 premium.
Breast reduction, my cost - that premium. NOW I am having a a halux vulgus repair in March and guess what???? That same $60.00 premium. AND these are good docs too not some random crew collected by a HMO for cheap rates!!
I'll be the 2nd to say that my Health care system has problems but NO ONE every went broke or didn't get the health care needed due to deficit of $$$.
ONE day, as new Tx's get more elaborate and expensive but that day ain't yesterday, today OR tomorrow!!
O CaNaDa! ( & thanks Tommy Douglas -the MOST impt Canuck!

[Hank]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 4:53pm

I have seen the the Canadian tax charts, and they seem reasonable, not much more than ours. And if you're unemployed or retitired, you don't pay any tax at all, but you are still covered.
We Americans are paranoid about that s word, socialized medicine. I suggest you all see the Michael Moore movie "Sicko", and how our system works is indeed "evil".

[romantico]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 5:58pm

Let's not forget France.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNR_6UuVl4s

For those who have not seen the scene in SICKO

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUw2TkYsb4c

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FvOjGdtF0A&feature=related

Updated On: 2/20/11 at 05:58 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 6:05pm

What does Justin Biever think of Spiderman, though?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 6:21pm

I heard they were bringing him in to re-work the songs.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 6:22pm

I don't know, Diva. Never Say Never...

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 6:54pm

I think he should do something to help out the parents of the American teen and pre-teen girls who have come down with that Bieber Fever. God knows they are shelling out enough money to treat it...and make him rich.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 6:56pm

I hope he guest stars on 16 and Pregnant this season.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 7:09pm

To congratulate the girls for not having abortions?

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 7:13pm

He should also kick in to help pay for their anger management counseling.