US life expectancy vs other developed countries

1. 66

   nicompposted 13 years ago

   I wonder if anyone has life expectancy numbers that exclude murders, suicides, and accidental deaths, which are not relevant when considering health care. I think the US comes out on top; we drive more miles and will therefore have more automobile deaths and we permit gun ownership.
   
   The Libs really don't want info such as this to become public.

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2. 59

   megs78posted 13 years ago

   Why do you think the States comes out on top?

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3. 59

   megs78posted 13 years ago

   Canada permits gun ownership as well, and per person, Canadians own more guns than Americans...AND we can buy bullets wherever,including WalMart so I don't think that can really be an argument. 
   
   And perhaps you drive more miles, but I'm not really sure about that one, and we drive in hazardous conditions, 6 months out of the year (winter).
   
   I just don't know if this would change anything in your stats.

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   1. 66

      nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Wintry hazardous conditions slow you down and make you more careful. You are less likely to be killed.
      
      Here's a commentary on the stat I was looking for.
      http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articl … 97901.html

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         megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         So does this article mean to say that Americans are hell-bent on killing eachother and so no matter what you do you're screwed?

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         1. 66

            nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Some of us are, no doubt. What the article means to say is that the life-expectancy numbers trumpeted by liberals are nonsense in the context of health-care systems. Death by gun shot or car accident is not a function of health care. You're either dead on the spot and all the health care in the world won't help you, or you get a trip to the ER, which is already free by federal mandate.

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      2. 59

         megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Have you ever been to Quebec?  The word 'slow' is non-existent here no matter what the condition.  And trust me, no matter how slow you go here, if you are on a hill of glare ice, you pick up speed and you have no brakes, so being more careful is moot.  Seriously, have you ever been to Central Canada in the winter?

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         1. 66

            nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            No, I've not been to Canada at all. I have driven on ice and I know it tends to slow down traffic to the extent that accidents are predominantly fender-benders that pose little threat to life.

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               megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               That is because you don't have winter tires.  We do and so it makes all the difference.  You can still drive 90 kms/hour here on wintry roads if you have good winter tires, so accidents, and bad ones too, still happen regularly.

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               1. 66

                  nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  True. I buy all-season tires (tyres?) because we have much less wintry precipitation here. I'd probably be dead myself if I had winter tires.

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   2. 0

      A Texanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What types of weapons are permitted? I mean can you own a pistol for personal security or is it just rifles for hunting? Just curious.

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      1. 66

         nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         It won't matter if the US outlaws firearms anyway; killings with guns won't decrease significantly.

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            A Texanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Thats not my reason for the question I was just curious

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            1. 66

               nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I know. You have a good question.
               
               I was just stirring it up to see if a Liberal would bite.

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            2. 59

               megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               We can own hunting rifles, sporting rifles, pistols, handguns, etc.  Its just that each firearm falls into different categories and requires a specific permit to carry.  For example, pistols and handguns are classified as Restricted and requires a special firearms license to possess and transport.

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               1. 66

                  nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Do you have conceal and carry laws? Some US states make C and C licenses available, which is a very good thing because the criminals don't know who might be packing.

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                  1. 59

                     megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     Yes, we do have those laws, but is rare that a permit for that reason will be issued.

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                  A Texanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Thanks for answering, so some people can carry a concealed weapon for personal safety if they qualify for the permit?

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                  1. 59

                     megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     Yes, but to my knowledge, this is very uncommon in Canada.

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                        A Texanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        Why? Low crime rate?

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                        1. 59

                           megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           That must be it.  People here are more intent on killing the damned bears that show up in the early morning hours and threaten their children who have just left the house to walk to the school bus than killing other people.  I guess to us, the animals are much more of a menace
                           
                           Actually, in reality, in our big cities, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, etc, crime rates are pretty much equal to some of your larger cities.  We just don't have as many cities as you, thus, less crime.

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                              A Texanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                              I know the Texas Motor Cycle gang the Bandidos have some chapters there and the Hells Angels too, so it might be a good idea to start packing!

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4. 77

   Uninvited Writerposted 13 years ago

   It is not only liberals who talk about life expectancy? Is the CIA Factbook run by liberals? Why don't you just admit it, it bothers you the US is not first. The life expectancy in a country is not a contest... The same things are taken into account for every country.
   
   These facts and figures have been out there for years, just because they are mentioned by liberals does not mean they picked them out of the air.

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   1. 66

      nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The CIA World Factbook doesn't break down life expectancy by categories that are health-care related and those that are not. If you jump out of an airplane and your 'chute fails, health care ain't gonna help no matter what country you're in.
      
      Sure, it does bother me because I know that the US has the best health care system. I know first hand the free care that's currently available for low income citizens and how they don't take advantage of it. Free dental, free eye care, free well baby, free maternity, free school lunches (even in the Summer), free transportation to the clinic...
      
      We can't make free care any more free.

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      A Texanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The US is not first in a lot of things, trust me it does not bother us that bad! I think the hatred that most citizens of other countries have for the US is simply jealousy. I am not saying that you two or like that but I read it in these forums all day every day!

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      1. 59

         megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I remember being jealous that I couldn't get a credit card.  Of course I didn't have a job, had no way to pay back a credit card, but the only reason I was denied for that particular card was because I was not a US citizen.  That jealousy has long turned into relief that my Canadian banking system took those issues into account and refused to give me credit when they knew I couldn't pay it back.

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         1. 66

            nicompposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I remember getting my first credit card while still in college. it blew me away that anyone would trust me with credit. The Canadian banks are a little smarter, I think.

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               megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Well, actually, I have to admit that even here in Canada college and university students are given credit cards with no previous credit rating. It's like some kind of test because if you screw it up, no more credit for you.  The banks use a very strict formula in issuing credit and one blemish can stop you from qualifying.  In order to get credit in any way here you need to have been working at least 6 six months and still be employed, you need to earn more than you owe, have a good credit score, and if you don't have good credit, you need a co-signer, and/or collateral.  And that is just for secured credit.  Unsecured credit is almost impossible to get once you have made a mess of it.

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