Definitions of Liberal and Conservative

"Pox on both their houses" political cynicism is cute in 20-year-olds, but it's not supportable by anyone who actually pays attention to politics. There are actually legitimate differences between the parties - differences that, yes, do actually matter to "the little guys." Of course, most of what affects "the little guy" is a function of precisely the local politics you probably have never paid any attention to. Quick, without looking it up - who's the municipal comptroller for Weed, CA?

Kind of my point. Like most people you've committed a fundamental attribution error about the effect of politics on your own life. Like all those people who complain about "Barack Obama's bank bailout."I guarantee you, though, that issues of zoning, finance, and other local political issues matter far more to the state of your community than the actions of anybody in Washington. Especially in CA. But, like most people, you've ceded control of those political entities to highly-motivated business concerns and retired elderly. Do you think they have your interests at heart?

I don't believe I've done that in any post to you.

We've covered this in another thread, but the short answer is that the system can be run as a monopsony, where private doctors provide care and are paid by a single government-run insurer funded by contributions from everybody. Monopsony bargaining power, and the refusal to pay for procedures that aren't necessary or effective.

There are some provinces in Canada where out-of-pocket payment for health care isn't allowed; I think that's wrong, but the pushback you're getting might be Canadians trying to justify their more restrictive system.Even with a single-payer system I think there's a place for supplemental insurance or even out-of-pocket payment. If there's a problem with rich people cutting the line, then you don't have enough doctors and its time to re-evaluate your immigration laws.