Now I don't really have a say in any of this; I have no vote, no representation (despite taxation). So you guys need to decide what you want for yourselves. But I can maybe do you a favour by telling you a little bit of what it's like on both sides of the socialized medicine wall. Let me tell you a tale of two healthcares.

Apparently something earth-shaking happened yesterday. Something about US healthcare. Finally, the world -- or the USA at least -- is going to be fine. To paraphrase Annie Lennox:

First, the US

About six weeks ago, I visited my local physician to ask if he thought it was worthwhile me taking up some yoga. I have chronic lower back problems, starting in my late teens, via an L4/L5 discectomy (repairing a "slipped" disc) in 1995, and with pretty much constant low-level pain to the present day. The pain means I don't move my back as much as I maybe should, so I'm very stiff, especially on my left side. So I was considering yoga as a way of strengthening my core, and improving my flexibility.I simply dropped in on the physician -- no appointment needed. I was seen within 15 minutes. During the visit, I had the usual obligatory chat with the nurse first, including a BP check, and then I sat for about 20 minutes in a private office watching the telly while waiting for the doc. She arrived and we had a chat. She recommended that since it had been so long (15 years) since I'd seen an orthopedic surgeon, perhaps I should go see one now. She reckoned yoga would be fine, but why not ask the expert.To finish off, she asked me a few other questions, including "do you have any chest pains". "Sure", I replied. She did a double-take and asked more urgently, "chest pains?" "Sure" I said again, "on and off". Within five minutes another paramedic came in and they got ready for a quick EKG. Despite that being clear, she recommended a visit to a cardiologist.So I left the physician's office with the phone numbers of two specialists. I made the calls and got appointments to see them both, within a week. Each required a followup visit -- the orthopedist for an MRI scan; the cardiologist for a stress test. Those were scheduled; again, about another week. Then another week later, back in to see the specialists for their final verdicts. Those were: my L4/L5 disc is pretty much shot to bits (which I knew), and my heart is fine.Summary. In the space of about a month I saw, a physician, two surgeons, several paramedics, over the course of about seven different appointments. All quick, efficient, and on my terms.

But then again, some are not so lucky.

OK, now the UK.

At about the same time I visited my doc, a close member of my family over in the UK visited his, to see about a hernia. The hernia confirmed, his appointment -- the initial appointment -- to see the consultant was in 12 weeks. He is still waiting.

But then again, no one is any better.

Conclusion?

People, people, people; there is no such thing as a free lunch. Socialized medicine has the benefits of equality, but don't let anyone tell you it comes for free. The cost will be apparent in your day-to-day interactions with your healthcare. Longer waits; bleaker and more worn facilities, overworked physicians who treat you not like paying customers but like subjects in an empire even they don't control. You'll see it not only in your own treatment but in that of your kids. Your little girl, sobbing because she has something in her eye, will have to stand in line because some bozo got into a fight in a bar and is taking up the doctor's time, and there's nothing you can do but write to your Member of Parliament.

I don't know that there's compelling evidence that US healthcare is objectively better, in the sense that it lengthens life, or increases quality thereof, but it feels better. For, of course, those who can afford it.

Death panels in the UK's NHS? Of course there are death panels in such a socialized system. Now they're not called that because that's not really what they are about. But when the pricing mechanism is not allowed to divert resources from where they are not wanted and able to be paid for to where they are, then something else has to do the job. Why would anyone be surprised at that?

Year-long waiting lists? Of course. I got my MRI scan in a week. Back in the UK, another relative waited 13 months for an MRI scan for sciatic pain. 13 months. But why the surprise? When you offer goods at effectively zero price, don't be amazed when the demand rockets.

And uninsured poor people and kids? Of course there are none. That's what all the hassle buys you.

You just have to decide what you want. If you are of average middle-class wealth, it's a simple choice. Equality, or speed and efficiency. Pick one.