Healthcare in America: Just What are We Talking About?

Hello again, friends and family!

Last time, I let you know what I mean when I use the word, healthcare, and the phrase, healthcare system. Today, I'm going to continue defining the terms of this analysis. Once again, these definitions, unless otherwise indicated, come from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition*...

in-sur-ance - noun
coverage by a contract binding a party to indemnify another against specified loss in return for premiums paid.

con-ser-va-tism - noun
1) The inclination, especially in politics, to maintain the existing or traditional order.
2) A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order without extensive research and due consideration.

con-sti-tu-tion - noun
1) the system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or another institution.
2) Constitution: The fundamental law of the United States, framed in 1787, ratified in 1789, and variously amended since then.

fas-cism - noun
1) A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
2) A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.

lob-by-ist - noun
a person engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause.

so-cial-ism - noun
1) Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
2) The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved.

That's all for now. Next time, one more definition, then on to the discussion.

Until then, best regards...



* The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.


© James P. Rice 2009