When you start talking about economic rights, you get right in the face of this system, Hamburg said. This system is based on the concept that if you don t work your ass off to keep your head above water, you are going to end up in the gutter. And we have a lot people living in the gutter. Everyone within the boundaries of the United States should have certain basic services that are paid for by the government, Hamburg said. For example, government should provide a national medical system that is paid for through tax dollars obtained from the private sector, Hamburg said.
Some people call it socialism.
If America had a heath care system that was available to everyone, California wouldn t have thousands of people on waiting lists for substance abuse treatment.