Where is the US economy headed?

Cyclo, If you can equate personal respect from any individual who has no social sensitivity or facts, that's your right to defend. I see him and his ilk as dangerous fanatacism.

Cyclo, You are a gentleman, but you haven't been participating in these threads with okie who seems incapable of humanity or understadning reality of facts, and posts "stupid stuff" like it has merit.

He's a one-track train with no understanding of economics or social morality; only an extreme view of "conservatism."

Rather than placating okie, let's hear something constructive.

Here's one example:

okie wrote: You mean the pay and benefits that are pricing us out of all the jobs now in the world market?

cicerone imposter wrote:

Here's one example:

okie wrote: You mean the pay and benefits that are pricing us out of all the jobs now in the world market?

Look, I like pay and benefits, everyone does, but if you are being paid more than the competition in China, then the companies will go to China to have the products made. It is not a complicated concept. I do not see anything stupid about that observation. It is stupidity that denies that it happens.

Tariffs can be a factor, yes. Add that to the mix, but wages and benefits remain a very large factor.

By the way, just wait until China starts selling cars in the U.S. I heard a year ago or so it would happen in 2008.

okie, Do you have any idea about the British economy? They seem to be competing very well in the world markets - even in the European Union. They also have UHC.

cicerone imposter wrote:

okie, Do you have any idea about the British economy? They seem to be competing very well in the world markets - even in the European Union. They also have UHC.

Well, if it counts for anything, I have relatives that live there, and I have visited, and I think our standard of living is much better. And relatives that have lived in both places would much rather live here. Those that have not, have allegiance to Great Britain, and therefore prefer their home, which is fine, and I probably would also if I was in their shoes.

We can look at the statistics if you wish, but first hand observation tells me there is no contest between our living and theirs. I admit I saw mostly city living there, as compared to more rural living here. Also, when relatives visited us here, they were absolutely amazed at the space, the size of houses, and the things we are able to do, such as travel, recreation, etc. In fact, we are considered wasteful gluttons. Their opinion is that Americans are spoiled and do not appreciate nearly what we enjoy here, and that we are a bunch of whiners and complainers about our standard of living.

Medical tourism agencies take operations overseas
Complex surgery is the latest service to move offshore - and clever businesses are helping cost-conscious patients go under the knife overseas.
By Krysten Crawford, Business 2.0 Magazine
August 3 2006: 6:09 AM EDT


(Business 2.0 Magazine) -- The editors have identified the Best business ideas in the world, which will appear here in a series throughout the next month. Check back daily for updates.

Think globalization means little more than call centers in New Delhi? Then you haven't seen what happens when seriously large numbers of Americans, who spend more than $570 billion at U.S. hospitals annually, start taking health-care holidays in far cheaper climes. Nor have you seen how much money there is to be made by helping them get there.

The overseas stampede for medical services has spawned medical tourism agencies.

Where is your next doctor?
Teeth - Hungary
Quality dental care and $35 one-way fares to Budapest have opened up this market to U.K. clients.
Heart - Malaysia
A hot spot for advanced heart care, its doctors open up clogged blood vessels and replace worn valves with robotic assistance.
Kidney - China AVOID!
A liver or kidney transplant in China can cost a fraction of the domestic price. But uncertainties about where the organs come from and survival rates as low as 50 percent (compared with 81 percent in the United States) should deter bargain hunters.
Nose - Costa Rica
With its abundance of U.S.-trained plastic surgeons, Costa Rica is known as the Beverly Hills of Central America.
Love handles - Brazil
The country's body-sculpting prowess at liposuction and excess skin removal spawned a national magazine on the subject, Plastic & Beauty.
Hips - India
Hospitals here have pioneered hip resurfacing, a less costly alternative to hip replacement.


We're about to find out. This year alone, upwards of 500,000 Americans are expected to travel overseas to get their bodies fixed, at prices 30 to 80 percent less than at home.

Medical tourism, as the practice is known, is rapidly becoming the top choice for consumers who grapple with hefty medical bills. Adult Americans who are either uninsured or considered "underinsured" number more than 61 million - a figure that's likely to soar in coming years.

With places like Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, India, the Philippines, and Thailand pitching their low-cost care, Americans are expected to help turn global medical tourism into a $40 billion-a-year industry by 2010, according to David Hancock, author of The Complete Medical Tourist.

Medical Tourism World Wide
Discover a world of care, safely and affordably.
Since 2002, people from around the world have been choosing PlanetHospital to find safe, affordable, and high quality medical care. This has made us the global leaders in Medical Tourism.


The doctors and nurses on our team will help you choose the right surgeon for your needs. We have a friendly concierge staff in each country to look after your needs as soon as you arrive. We arrange everything from the appointment with the doctor of your choice to passports and visas, airline tickets, and hotels. All you have to do is show up.

Cost Comparison
Procedure / Treatment Wockhardt Hospitals, India ($) USA ($) UK (GBP)
Open Heart Surgery (CABG) ...........................7,500 100,000 ...21,400
Total Knee Replacement .................................6,500 .48,000 .....25,700
Hip Resurfacing ..............................................7,500 .55,000 .....24,100
LA Hysterectomy ............................................4,000 .22,000 .....11,800
Lap Cholcystectomy ........................................3,500 .18,000 ......9,600
Spinal Decompression Fusion ...........................7,100 .60,000 .....32,100
Obesity Surgery (Gastric Bypass) .....................9,500 .65,000 .....34,800