Michael Moore's "Sicko"

Tonight I watched Michael Moore's new film, "Sicko."

It is a painful and sharp attack on the American Health Care system. Compared to Canada, Britain and even Cuba - American health care's focus on profits and privatization is shown to be their downfall. It is a scary film, and a very truthful look at the issue. It's really concerning and frighteningly accurate.

Michael Moore talks to a bunch of Canadians in Sarnia, Ontario and London, Ontario (which just so happens to be my home town), and the concept that the more fortunate should help the less fortunate is described by the man from Sarnia, Ontario. He says something to the effect of, "I pay taxes for this, since other people would do the same for me if I was sick." And he has no problem with this, since it's for the benefit of his fellow Canadians. I'd say this is an overwhelmingly common view in Canada, and I certainly am happy to pay more tax if I know it's funding a heath care system that treats the people who need it. Sure, there are problems in Canada, and no system is perfect. But this movie really points out how scary and broken the American system is, and how much it is failing for the people at the bottom of the social and financial ladder. It's really quite sickening to be honest, and there are a few parts in the movie there that are almost impossible to watch.

Even if you hate Michael Moore movies, or you have a big opinion about him or his style of filmmaking... go see this movie. It's really a masterpiece. He should win an Oscar again next year for this movie. It's such an important film, but with the way he describes the health care system and the lobbyists here in America - it's hard to think anything will happen unless the citizens of America speak up and do something. Interestingly enough, this is exactly what is happening. Check out: http://www.michaelmoore.com for some stories on what people are doing to try to change the state of health care in the USA right now.

What an interesting and scary film. I'm sorry to say it, my good friends from America, but watching this movie makes me pretty darn happy I am a Canadian. This country is awesome, and the opportunities here are amazing. But watch this film and you'll realize that other countries handle their poor much, much better than you do here in America. It's a sad truth... but nevertheless, it's the truth. The sooner the citizens of America (and more importantly, the government) can admit to this, the sooner things can be changed. More money from taxes can (and should) be put into improving what is clearly failing for the poorest people of the country.