How was my comment a jab in any way, shape or form. I doubt you dispute that most Europeans are amazed so you must have seen the part "America struggles with healthcare" as a jab. By struggle I meant the issue of universal healthcare is a hotly debated topic that divides America. Surely you dont dispute that. Better said America is, and has been for decades, struggling to reach consensus on how healthcare should be provided. Contrast this with Europe where all countries are happy with their systems albeit maybe not budgets and costs. Americans can look to Europe and see how it works. what the costs and benefits are. If they want it or not is up to them but there should be no discussion on feasabilty any more than Europeans need to debate if its possible to put a man on the moon. They need only look across the pond to see how it can be done.

That BDSM may be misunderstood is down to BDSMers failing to adequately explain what BDSM is. Kink is not misunderstood or marginalised. One need only look at the success of 50 shades to see that many aspects of Ds and kink are almost mainstream. Is there a sex shop that does not sell floggers and handcuffs ?

Regarding UK military spending. Lets look at the figures as percent of GDP. Here's a list prepared by Forbes ranked by percent of GDP. Forbes Welcome

If we exclude the special cases of Saudi (rich small population) and Israel (should be clear) and India. Then other than Russia USA the UK with 2,2% is (equal) top of the rest of the world. That is not neglible. The question is why should US percent be so high, especially after the fall of communism and a so called peace dividend. Part of the reason is the US military has become an industry seeking to expand, needless costly foreign wars and the trend to profiteering by paying ridiculous prices to contractors for everything from guarding soldiers, to providing meals to torturing prisoners.

But nevertheless you miss my points. Regarding spending nations should look at all their spending and priorities. Not just defence. In US case it should ask whether Iraq was higher priority than health. Whether the money given to Isreal and Egypt is more important. The question of budgets for health and everything is one each government decides and goes before the people in elections. In the US however it is not just budget. The system is not decided. In the UK the principle of NHS is 70 years old. No government disagrees with the concept. The disagreement is only on tax and department budgets.

My point was the importance of having the system the people want is shown by the survey. If US doesn't want the system then fair enough, its for them to decide. But I doubt any American can be proud of the decade long debate and division on what healthcare system is best for the nation.

Apologies for long reply.