[TheForge] Re: Marginal Blacksmithing Question

[Mike Spencer]

> They are scumbags of the first order.

Yeah, well, "insurance" is just completely the wrong model for medical
care.  So is "business".  Universal publically funded medical care is
the rule in all modern, civilized countries.  It's no great wonder to
me that healthy, well-to-do folks can start screaming "commie-pinko
socialist tax-grab conspiracy" about such a setup.  It's a bit
perplexing and possibly a bit unusual for someone who has a $300,000
hospital bill, $3000/week meds, no income and no "health insurance" to
do such screaming.

Insurance is biz.  Biz is based on externalizing internal
dis-economies.  Holding a policy on someone who is very likely to make
a claim is a dis-economy. The profession of medicine is doing whatever
is neccessary and possible to heal and restore the sick and injured.
It's a mis-match.

For my part, I don't begrudge the gummint the taxes that pay for
universal health care.  In fact, despite 60 years of remarkably good
health, I probably received in medical treatment during one episode 30
years ago more than I've paid in health tax.  Without universal health
care, that episode would have left us destitute or so deeply in debt
that we would just now be recovering if we ever did.

It's good thing it's late or I would rant a lot more.

ObSmithing: For tinning cookware, I've been having a hard time getting
Canada Metal's "TinRite" product so I'm trying it with bar tin and
flux.  Sal ammoniac seems to work but isn't quite as nice as it ought
to be -- messy, flows poorly and dissapates too quickly.  Anybody have
a good formula?  I'm thinking of adding some stannous chloride to the
flux.  Maybe even some powdered rosin?

- Mike

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~. 
                                                           /V\ 
mspencer at tallships.ca                                     /( )\
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^

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