Movie Review: Sicko

I actually rented this movie a couple weeks ago...exclusively at Blockbuster (whatever that means...the waitlist at the library is super long).

So...Michael Moore's newest documentary, Sicko, is about failing US healthcare system. He does not examine the public aid programs (e.g. Medicaid or Medicare) but the private health care companies...particularly in the middle class. He takes a look at what is happening in the US and compares it to what is happening in other countries...particularly socialist countries. The basic idea of the societies portrayed is....emotionally and physically happy citizens are more productive and effective citizens.

Yes, I said it....socialist! Socialism has a lot to offer the US. Yes, it is communism but do any of us really know what that is? Immediately Americans think the Red Scare, Berlin, China...evil. Well, socialism or communism is simply based on the idea of community and living in a collective society. This means that everyone takes care of everyone else thus creating a happy and productive society. The US is not this way. We are an independent society that values self-control and competition. Not that we are not concerned for society as a whole, but we really want what is best for ourselves first. This is a topic that I could talk about and link to SO many things but I will save that for a later post.

Back to the movie...which you should all see regardless of your political orientation. It is a fabulous film to discover what other countries do (how and why they do). Compare and contrast to the US in anyway you see fit. Of course, Moore shows us what would support his message (good quality healthcare for all) but this is not a flaw (as many conservatives have stated). If you saw the movie in theaters, get the DVD and watch the extras (especially what is happening in Norway!).

See it, talk about it, let it push you into action.