National healthcare debate crosses Atlantic

Should it be the responsibility of a government to assist its citizens in need of healthcare?

U.S. President Barack Obama’s push for healthcare reform has many conservative politicians in the United States saying no, and the debate has spilled overseas. The nationalized healthcare system in Britain is the subject of the debate, and it’s taken a lot of heat lately.

But many British citizens are speaking out in favor of England’s National Health Service (NHS), its public healthcare system. They’re using the hashtag #welovetheNHS to get their points across.

morgandave (London, U.K.) RT @Gnorb If you’re in US and …think we’d be better off w/a national health care system say why.Tag with #WeWishWeHadAnNHS #welovetheNHS 14 Aug 2009 from web

matt101 (London, U.K.) #welovethenhs its always worked for me….. stuff u republicans! 14 Aug 2009 from web

VictoriaMonro (London, U.K.) oh wait, last one #welovethenhs because my 85 year old grandmother gets free medication, meals on wheels & dial a ride thanks to the nhs. 14 Aug 2009 from web

numerate (London, U.K.) @cwoolfork that would be as opposed to the US poor =die, middle class=covered until you get ill then die, rich=live #welovethenhs 14 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to cwoolfork

roshgaind (London, U.K.) It’s unfortunate to see poor people living in the richest country in the world insulting a universal free healthcare service. #welovetheNHS 14 Aug 2009 from web

Others also weighed in, with many Americans divided over the issue:

Mlsif (Undisclosed) Fascinating to see #welovethenhs trending. Cross-national debate on national health care via twitter. And the Brits seem to be winning. 13 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck

Life0Riley (San Francisco, Calif.) If the TownHall MOB would shut-up & listen they might find out that they would benefit greatly from #HealthCareReform #p2 #hcr #hc09 13 Aug 2009 from web

WilliamABurton (Roanoke, Va.) RT @crnc Owner of British hospital urges Americans to reject government-run #healthcare http://ow.ly/jW7O #crnc #handsoff #hc09 #tcot 13 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck

cborkowski (New York, N.Y.) Death Camps ? Government interference.? Let’s not forget Terri Schiavo, GOP f’d that one up big time. #tcot #healthcare #iamthemob #hc09 14 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck

james_gilbert (Washington, D.C.) RT @thenation @JimmaeJames: #welovetheNHS i’d rather be taxed for a hospital bed than a bomb. 14 Aug 2009 from web

Liam_Fox (New Mexico) RT @shadowfax_rulz: RT @newsjunkiemom Another 14,000 ppl lost health ins today. Did U? We need reform now. #hir #hc09 #health #hcr 14 Aug 2009 from HootSuite

RT @AshleyTMason: @jeanniebohn U are brainwashed communists & just want free care! #welovethenhs // no it's called education, try it one dayheidavey10:33

Support #welovetheNHS, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! - http://twibbon.com/join/welovetheNHSalmostframps10:33

#welovethenhs the new state of the art oncology unit in leeds treated my gran and is treating my dad and is absolutely brilliant!mad_cyril10:33

RT @JohnPrescott: message to America about Hannan's tissue of lies. Help me tweet it on to Fox News! http://tinyurl.com/qncafd #welovethenhsClicksBlueJeans10:33

I had an atrial septal defect (hole in the heart) as a newborn baby, sorted at a NHS Hospital. #welovethenhsjim_02810:33

#welovetheNHS I pity ur anger that you cannot force NHS on America. In case you forgot, we are our own country...with more freedom than u!jeanniebohn10:32

Support #welovetheNHS, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! - http://twibbon.com/join/welovetheNHSthegrownup10:32

Fox's logic gets ever more batty: Universal healthcare is terror recruitment tool: #welovetheNHS http://bit.ly/v1vBD (via @bengoldacre)jameswales10:32

#welovethenhs. Fox news couldn't be barmier if the guys had their underpants on their heads and pencils up their noses http://bit.ly/v1vBDScarymac10:32

RT @jcrouchley: #welovetheNHS good post here http://bit.ly/NwiXKmildlymad10:32

@jeanniebohn U are brainwashed communists & just want free care! #welovethenhs // no it's called education, try it one dayAshleyTMason10:32

Support #welovetheNHS, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! - http://twibbon.com/join/welovetheNHSdavis6410:32

So, woo hoo #welovethenhs! Going to the vet is torture, going to the doctor must be the same. I'm a pro-torture kitty.Republicat10:32

So simple, why didn't I think of that : #fuckfoxnews; RETWEET NEW TREND: #fuckfoxnews - as an add on to #welovetheNHS RT @herecomedgirlsagaaman10:32

@Glinner Well done man. You done us all proud, both in terms of supporting the ideal of the NHS and the legitimacy of twitter! #welovetheNHSjonnydobby10:32

LOL RT@_heathie_ #welovethenhs WWJD? Well Jesus would prob heal the sick. Am I right? So Biblethumpers hating on NHS is pretty hypocritical.mistywabbit10:32

RT @jonalsbury: NHS is a haven for terrorists because it employs muslims? How low can Fox News go? http://tinyurl.com/mk78zo #welovethenhspyates10:32

A shill is never short of a shilling. Why so few MSM journos tell truth about Fox? Might want job someday in Murdoch empire? #welovethenhsmudlarklives10:32

RT @simonmustoe RT @JohnPrescott: message to US about Hannan's lies. Help me tweet it onto Fox News! http://tinyurl.com/qncafd #welovethenhsLiberatelloyd10:32

RT @billt: Would be very happy to add #welovetheNHS #twibbon, but not handing over my password to any site, however worthy. Nor should you.Spamtastic10:32