News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on The insulin racket: why a drug made free 100 years ago is recently expensive. Parent comment

Re:The insulin racket: why a drug made free 100 years ago is... by vonmoltke on Tuesday June 25, 2019 @09:22AM (#20273877)
> From what I understand, the US culture is one in which it is generally considered the fault of someone for being unable to pay for their own healthcare and living circumstances. Because there is the sentiment that it is possible to not be oppressed through one's personal power, cleverness, and considerate behavior, the people who claim to be oppressed are actually lazy, stupid, and inconsiderate.

That is not "US culture". Those are the beliefs of an unfortunately sizeable minority. Even then, it is generally only directed at "the other" and is really veiled racism. Do not take the rhetoric of certain political factions at face value or as a representation of "US culture".

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The insulin racket: why a drug made free 100 years ago is... by skohan on Tuesday June 25, 2019 @09:41AM (#20274028)
I agree it's probably a minority who would put it in such harsh terms as the comment you're responding to, but the underlying sentiment is more a part of American culture than many other places.

For instance, the values of meritocracy and self-determination are deeply ingrained in the US mythos, beginning from "All men are created equal" and "the pursuit of happiness" in the declaration of independence.

Since moving to Europe, the difference in the concept of individual credit/responsibility is one of the largest cultural differences I have felt.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The insulin racket: why a drug made free 100 years ago is... by TheOtherHobbes on Tuesday June 25, 2019 @09:51AM (#20274130)
Then let's call it US corporate culture.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The insulin racket: why a drug made free 100 years ago is... by slips on Tuesday June 25, 2019 @11:44AM (#20275369)
How is this suddenly about racism? Every race can be poor (which many in America are).
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The insulin racket: why a drug made free 100 years ago is... by vinceguidry on Tuesday June 25, 2019 @12:10PM (#20275656)
Because in the United States, you cannot have a conversation about inequality without at least someone mentioning the 5-ton elephant in that room.
[ Parent | on HN ]