Movie Review
A movie I highly recommend Denverites and all Americans to go see or rent at some point is Michael Moore’s film, Sicko. Yes, it is a bias film. That’s what makes it film worthy in the first place. Moore wouldn’t have the popularity he currently enjoys if he made this film a balance between the pro’s and con’s of healthcare. So keep this in mind when watching the film. Regardless of bias, Sicko is an important film for all concerned citizens to watch. In response to this film, I’d like to open the comments on this blog entry for the readers to share their own experience, good or bad, with healthcare. I always encourage people to do their own research when politics, news, religion, etc., are concerned, so lets use this as a forum for research! Don’t be shy!
One thing this film did accomplish was make me want to move to Europe! In Europe they have:
+ five weeks vacation every year
+ thirty-five hour work weeks
+ an extra week vacation for your honeymoon, in addition to the allotted five weeks
+ and, of course, free healthcare for all citizens
To leave you with a cliffhanger, I especially enjoyed how Michael Moore paid back his long-time nemesis and arch-enemy for this person’s continued effort to destroy Mr. Moore… You’ll have to watch it to understand what I’m talking about…
click here for movie times and locations for Sicko
July 16th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
As a general rule, I have liked Michael Moore movies, but I’m going to play devil’s advocate with your review:
When you talk about Europe, you neglect to mention that they have significantly higher tax burdens than we do. As a result of higher taxes, the government has the ability to provide higher quality services for more people.
I do enjoy your blog, however, as I was born and raised in Denver (though a current resident of Boulder).
July 17th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Joel,
You are correct, in Belgium they take around half of your gross pay in taxes:0)
July 17th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Joel and Laura,
Thank you both for bringing up very valid points and performing an important duty of the devil’s advocate. And discrediting my desire to move to Europe…grr!! Just kidding!
Devil’s advocate is actually my favorite position to take when I participate in debate’s, in the classroom, with friends, etc. I am glad that my blog is attracting a broad enough interest that our ideas are sometimes conflicting and I welcome all debate in my blog comments from readers. And I assure you, I will continue to blog about subjects that will leave plenty of opportunity for the devil advocate position.
In the film Sicko, Michael Moore does mention, briefly, the higher taxes in Europe but he tries to brush the effects of higher taxes off as inconsequential. Now, having never been to Europe or even discussed in depth with any Europeans, who I am to say what the truth in the matter is of higher taxes in Europe. They don’t sound like fun…Michael Moore says its OK and gives a few examples of people living in luxury with the high taxes in Europe…my guess is its altogether not too much different from the USA.
We have people that do very well, most people are doing OK, and there are many who could stand some serious improvement in their money and living situations.
Again, and truly, thanks for these comments! Keep playing devil’s advocate and doing in depth research of your own. I know I will!
July 30th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Michael Moore is a paradox, a big fat one. The same thing that makes him popular (and influential) also irritates me, nonetheless I give him kudos for his ridiculously obnoxious behavior. I enjoyed the movie. I laughed, I cried and I looked at the cost of plane tickets.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:40 am
Ferocious Kitty has a point here. Michael Moore is all those things. Ferocious Kitty just summed up and said what I think we were all thinking. Thanks Ferocious Kitty!
October 24th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
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