Another one o' them smoking ban threads....

[cacophony]

i'm sure that helps the single mom who lives paycheck to paycheck, whose kid is sick, who can't afford the doctor's visit. i'm sure it's very helpful for her to know that she can simply leverage her power as a consumer and just find someone to help her pay for her kid's immediate healthcare needs.

the problem is, you're citing theoreticals and idealism. theoretically people can just leverage their power as consumers. realistically people are sick RIGHT NOW and can't afford healthcare RIGHT NOW. and not because they're "stupid," "retarded" or ignorant. it's just reality.

speculating about what the poor "should" be able to afford is a luxury of those who don't have to struggle to make ends meet.