I've been to Canada twice in my life. It's cold, basketball is NOT a popular sport, and there is only like 1 golf course in the country. There are a lot of negative things about Canada, but damn it the health care system is pretty enticing. My cousin's wife (who lived in Canada at the time) was on maternity leave from her work. She got 9 months off from work, and got paid from the government for the time off. Moreover, during her first few post-baby months she continued to receive aid and tax breaks from the government. Oh and by the way she didn't have to pay a single penny (or loony) for the coverage she received.

Certainly, such a generous system does not exist in the US, and if it did, it would probably make a lot of people unhappy with the extremely high taxes that would follow. And I guess that is the issue with a universal health care system; with so many people covered, something in the system is going to be compensated (i.e. higher taxes, poorer quality of health care, ect.) So there is certainly going to be some catch-22 action happening.

If there's one thing we should keep in mind about health care it's that the cost of health care is going to keep rising at an astronomical rate. With the new administration taking office that seems quite eager to initiate a health care reform and with the nation's economy in shambles, the next step we take on health care might be one of, if not the most critical. As for me, I do not currently have a pregnant wife living with me so the high costs associated with delivering and taking care of a baby do not bother me that much. And since I'm not in Canada you can find me running a pick up basketball game or playing golf at my local golf course, cigar in hand.