Customer Reviews
Why do negative reviewers rate Moore and not his films? 
2008-06-28
I enjoy reading the negative reviews for Moore films. They will attack Moore himself and his politics and then wave the magic anti-liberal wand like it automatically absolves them from making any further logical argument. Is it because they don't have rational argument for the actual content of the film and the questions being asked in it?
One of the oft-heard arguments is the grandstanding that Moore does in his films. Is taking a bunch of sick people to Cuba a showboat tactic? Yes it is, but this is also a film and supposed to be entertaining. If Moore stuck to the staid, classroom-lecture style of documentary making that conservatives seem to love, these films would not get publicity, people would not see them, people would not discuss them, and questions (ah yes, the questions), questions that desperately need to be pondered and answered, would not be pondered and answered.
For me personally, I have seen both sides of the healthcare systems presented in the movie. I have paid premiums and been treated in both the US and Canada. The waiting room scenario from Ontario isn't as rosy as presented in the film, I did have to wait several hours, but I was checked up on constantly until the equipment to do proper tests were available. However, I did not have to fill in a single payment form and no money was required, no bill arrived later. My premiums then were 90 dollars a month.
In the US, letters were required, permission was required, a co-payment was required, a waiting time of several weeks occurred because of the permission required. Because of the concern for my symptoms, I ended up going back to Canada and getting the tests done by walking into the doctor of my choosing within the week. No permission, no money. I had paid 450 dollars in premiums for my US HMO fees and ended up feeling concerned enough by the bureaucracy and red tape that I looked elsewhere for attention before something serious happened.
Why I present this information is to say that Moore's film is not hyperbole, it is not made up, it is really happening. People with healthcare are getting screwed by a system of greed (not surprising to see the Nixon government getting the ball rolling...what do you expect from a criminal?). The mentality of a nation that continues to rail against having to pay a little extra to help out those that need it really makes me question whether people understand what being a citizen is. Are they citizens of their country or citizens of themselves? Until people realize that socialized medicine is not communism but rather helping someone in need, this country will continue with a grotesque, morally bankrupt, selfish style of 'healthcare' that cares little for the individual, and, perversely, entirely about the investor's bottom line.
Moore's film (and films in general) are important and relevant as they are mirrors held up for your consideration. What you come away with after watching them may affect you, but more importantly, your response to others regarding the film will speak volumes about your humanity.
I give the film 4 stars because there was little argument on the FOR side for HMOs. I am not behind their concept, but I would have appreciated hearing from some of their apologists and what their rationale is. I'm sure there are decent, cogent arguments that could be applied to create a better health care system all around.
Propoganda Not Documentary 
2008-06-25
Michael Moore is a popular, if polarizing, figure with the ability to draw millions in America into a conversation with the potential to impact our lives. Health Care is a serious issue and requires serious discussion and debate if we are to fix it.
I would find it hard to believe that any who watched this film would not feel for the individuals in the film. The problem is that Mr. Moore only interviewed individuals. And only individuals that represented the viewpoint he was attempting to assert; American Health Care Bad and Socialized Health Care Good.
Had Mr. Moore taken the opportunity to provide a balanced view of the different health care systems, to compare and contrast them equally, he would have gone further in proving his point. In showing only the bad side of American Health Care and only the good side of Socialized Health Care (in England, Canada, France and Cuba) he raises obvious questions about both health care systems and about his objectivity.
If Mr. Moore truly cares about the issue, his time and effort would have been better served making an actual documentary; documenting the positive and negative aspects of various health care systems. Mr. Moore's film comes up short of a documentary, falling into the category of propaganda; asserting only those facts and accounts that support his view, and allowing no dissent or discussion.
Just try not to get in sick in America ... 
2008-06-23
You would have to be a pretty hard heart-hearted person and stubborn to boot, if you couldn't watch Michael Moore's documentary `Sicko' and not be a concerned, troubled or a little worried.
It's interesting to say the least, that of the few documentaries that Moore has done, this one has taken the least amount of flack, but also getting the smallest amount of press. I guess the message is in the movie, and you should come away with it if any of your humanity is still intact when it's all said and done. I'm sure the health-care industry can't wait for this film to just `go away' and drift quietly into the background and dusty used DVD bins.
What can be said though of all the folks being dumped in downtown Los Angeles? Some might say: "Well, Moore didn't show that it probably happens in other countries and it's not the hospitals problem to house them."
Living in Los Angeles, I can tell you, that the `patient-dumping' issue has been widely reported over the media for the last few years and has been looked at as incredibly embarrassing and absolutely the wrong solution for indigent patients. So if other Americans know that it's wrong, then it doesn't really matter who else is doing it as it should be obvious that `patient-dumping' probably happens in a lot of places, not just the United States. But maybe it doesn't? Maybe as well as a better health-care alternative, they also take care of their homeless as well? I can safely say that Social Workers `do' take care of the indigent patients before they leave the hospital and make sure they're not going to "heal up" on the streets with freshly bandaged wounds.
But as a Veteran, I guess the worst part was the fact that 9-11 Rescue Workers have been so sorely neglected and allowed to fall through the cracks as Moore clearly evinced, and which was something that was without protestation. Doesn't that bother every other person who watched this film? I'm absolutely sure that it did. The fact that they went and received more exhaustive and complete care from a country that is 1) off-limits 2) lower on the list of `countries with the best health-care' than the US and 3) a country with very little to no resources, is a condemning statement on a completely intolerable situation.
But, we will tolerate won't we? No one will rise up and protest and say that it's wrong, will they? Everybody's too busy with their low-riders, vacationing on a yacht, getting to work for their midnight shift, too wrapped up in their own lives to worry about `all these other people' who need health-care and a better system of long-term care.
I read a few of the negative reviews on this film as well, out of curiosity, just to see what people were saying. The bulk of these people could seemingly benefit from some remedial education as they obviously have problems articulating complete sentences, shaping basic grammar and punctuation and a lack of an ability to crystallize their own ideas. It's a shame that we live in a country where people who aren't even mediocre at best, can seemingly try to shout down, detract, spew garbage and complete bombast while not even having a grasp of the concepts that they're trying to flag-wave about, let alone tear down.
Maybe some intelligence first, might be sound idea, before trying to blast others with a wet rag.
Socialist Bovine Scatalogical Matter 2008-06-16
Sicko DVD
Sicko is Michael Moore's rant against the health care system in the United States, yeah, like he's qualified to say anthing. Does he even have a high school diploma? Or a GED?
Soime interesting facts, not opinions:
The USA invented over half of the pharmaceuticals in use by the World today.
Cuba does have Universal Health Care, universally bad, look at the flies in the pitiful bathrooms that Moore does not show you.
England has universal health care, and a three day waiting period to get a tattoo. Why? Because getting a tattoo removed is a health care procedure.
There is an often quoted figure of 47 million American don't have health insurance. You know why? A number of them are eligible for Title XIX ( Medicaid) but have not applied, yet. Another group are illegal aliens from Central America. They didn't say citizens of the United States, they said "Americans", which illegal aliens from Central and South America are, technically.
Remember "It depends on the what the meaning of "is" is?
Not recommended for thinking adults and for those who don't want Michael Moore to make more millions.
Gunner June 2008
Impressive 2008-06-16
You can say whatever you like about Michael Moore but he manages to "hit the nail on the head" with this one. Our medical system is an absolute disgrace.
The film does an excellent job of focusing on what the problem(s) are but is a little weak on proposing solutions. With that said I think every single one of our elected representatives and government officials should be required to watch this film, the problem is real and has to be addressed urgently. Michael Moore has done a great service by focusing the debate, it's an important first step.
Health care system is broken, universal is NOT the way to go 2008-07-25
Our health care system is broken, but what should we do? Universal health care is NOT the answer. Living on the Mexican border in an economically-depressed area, I have a unique perspective on this topic. Many of our populace, both American citizens and those living here illegally, use the county (taxpayer-supported) hospital (Thomason) emergency room as a doctor's office. Junior has a cough, or needs his vaccinations, the parents take the child to the emergency room at Thomason. Why? They don't have to pay, whereas they would at a doctor's office, which is where an ailment or need of this type should go. So who ends up paying? The citizens of my county. Women ready to have a baby, or already in labor, cross the southern border and are taken to Thomason. Another "anchor baby", and 30 non-citizen family members flock over, and who gets stuck supporting them, and paying the hospital bill? The taxpaying citizens of my county. We have people crossing over the border to use not only our county hospital, but to drain all manner of resources that they do not pay for. Adding insult to injury is my own government. The drug cartels in Juarez, Mexico have ramped up the violence (Juarez and Sinaloa cartels) over turf; the Mexican police are seriously outmanned and outgunned. Mexican citizens injured in the weekend melees IN MEXICO are IMPORTED to our American hospital. Who pays for their medical care, and their import to our hospital and back to the border? The taxpayers of my county. Even worse, when Mexican police are injured in these drug wars IN MEXICO, my government imports the problem--the injured police officials are brought over here to Thomason, AND the hospital goes into lockdown for over a week at a time. Armed guards (sheriff's department being paid overtime), metal detectors, inconvenience to those legally and legitimately needing the services of the hospital, and fear instilled in everyone. The cartels will stop at nothing to "get their man"; they have stormed hospitals in Juarez to kill the police being treated there, along with innocent bystanders. It will only be a matter of time until this happens here, and it was MY GOVERNMENT who brought it to our doorstep. Who pays for the importation, medical care, release to Mexico, and weeks of 24-hour armed security for these "wanted" individuals who are not only NOT citizens of my country, but were injured NOT in America? The citizens of the county of El Paso, Texas. The El Paso government fights Washington all the time for reimbursement; it may only a matter of time until all the citizens of America will be footing this bill. What we have here in El Paso is universal health care at it's "finest": allowing people to use emergency facilities (when it is not an emergency) as a doctor's office to avoid paying for services, and bringing violence into my country (injured Mexican police officials to be followed by drug dealers out to kill them while in the hospital)--all of which I have NO say in, both in the activities and in paying for it. Taxation without representation to pay for those who not only DON'T pay anything, but don't support it with taxes because they AREN'T CITIZENS. Already this year (and it's only late July 2008) there have been 22 individuals to the tune of over $1,000,000 treated at Thomason due to the drug wars IN MEXICO (El Paso Times, July 25, 2008). The Mexican government said they'd pay; so far we've seen only about $50,000, and nothing in recent memory.
Mexico is draining America in every way it can. Both of our borders and coasts need to be sealed off in the name of national security, those here illegally need to be deported immediately without exception. Once we have only those here who should be here can we start thinking, just thinking, about anything such as universal health care. When we allow other countries to bleed us dry, there will be nothing left; how then can we take care of "our own", our own citizens and our great country? We are allowing others to destroy our country, and our government willingly brings problems in from our "sister city" (Juarez, Mexico). With "relatives" like this, it is time we disowned them for our own good. Seal the borders and coasts; whatever problems another country has are THEIR problems, let them deal with, and pay for, it.
Please do not be fooled by "one of the safest cities" designation in regard to El Paso, Texas. It is not. The taxes are high, and going higher all the time; we have to deal with Mexico's problems--both the issues and the financial aspects; and we have to deal with our own government willingly bringing the violence across the border for us not only to deal with, but to pay for. Universal health care when you have a huge number of non-taxpaying citizens (a large number of whom are here illegally), a tremendous number of non-citizens coming over expressly for the "free" (to them) health care, people who clog hospital emergency rooms with non emergencies so they can get out of paying at a doctors office (and thereby tying up the ER and hospital personnel, keeping them from properly and timely addressing true emergencies), and your own government bringing in non-citizen problems that not only cost US money but add inconvenience to and instill fear in our citizens and invite violence to cross the border...no thanks.
Until we get a handle on things, both on screening who is "entitled" to the services of OUR country, and on our citizens actions as a whole, things will never get better, only worse. Having a multitude of children when you can't even afford to raise one child is irresponsible. Who ends up paying for that person's CHOICES? Those who demonstrate and exercise responsibility and sound judgement. Who uses the services of entities funded by the taxpayers? Those who pay the least in taxes, if anything at all, whether citizens or not. Come to Thomason and see what I mean. You'll have parents who can afford lots of tattoos, cigarettes, mountains of "bling" (or a few very expensive pieces). Follow them to Wal-Mart. They pay with the Lone Star card (food stamps), then load their bags and bags of chips and cases of soda and beer and cartons of cigarettes in their late-model cars for a trip down the road to the liquor store for the "hard stuff". If they can afford tattoos, cigarettes, jewelry, beer by the case (literally), hard liquor, and a tricked-out late-model car, they can certainly afford health care. They have LOTS of kids because they don't have to "pay for" them, or anything related to their care. These same kids eat free breakfast and lunch in the public schools, and never come with supplies; the parents expect the school to provide EVERYTHING. Usually mother doesn't work, often dad doesn't either; they feel THEIR "needs" (tattoos, cigarettes, fancy tricked-out cars, jewelry, and weekly cases of alcohol) are more important than anything for the children, including decent food, health care, school supplies, and proper clothing for the given weather. They just keep popping out child after child after child. Why not--they don't have to pay for anything. The rest of us do. Universal health care? No. Things are bad enough now, don't make them worse.
Another Great Documentary By Michael Moore 2008-07-25
I really liked this documentary. It gives you a funny view of a very serious problem in the United States. However, I am partial to Michael. I have all his movies/documentaries.
A must see 2008-07-22
Must watch to understand...
I am an Italian, that came to live in the US in 2000. I have being living here for almost 10 years, and I think that Health care is the thing where the US is most backward compared to Europe. When I came here it didn't take me long to start appreciating what we have in Italy. People in Italy generally don't complain too much about their health care, it works, there are occasionally news on "errors" in hospitals, or long waits at ER's or stuff like that, but generally it works... People get cured no matter who they are, and they don't have to worry about bills. Seen from my Italian eyes, that aspect of the US life was amazingly conflicting to many others things where the US is more advanced: in Italy you have to spend over $500 in order to get a driver license, and you have to go through medical exam, walk to at least 3 offices before you get it, and you still have to wait weeks before you can drive... In California $12 and about 1 hour in 1 DMV office, and you walk out with a temporary DL. But when it comes to health care, it's almost scary to live in the US. My family, when they came to visit me here, they were really afraid, so they got an insurance (in Italy) for heath emergency, but they were still afraid because in case something happened they had to pay out of pocket, and then ask for a reimbursement in Italy. That's different than traveling to many other countries. If you travel to France, Germany, even Australia, you don't have to worry about paying (if you are an Italian citizen) because there is an agreement of reciprocal care... Like in the movie the Canadian couple that goes to SEARS to buy insurance. This is just one of the many issues... I could go on forever. The US must grow from this point of view, a country that is modern and advanced in many aspects (that's why I work here, for the hi-tech industry), it's almost like a 3rd world country when it comes to health care...
Wow.... Wasn't sure I'd like it 2008-07-17
I am not at all a Micheal Moore fan. I thought the 911 movie was disgusting and dishonest, so I wasn't sure what I would think of SICKO. Wow, I finally have seen a Moore film that I can appreciate and that I appreciate him for making. I was heartbroken and in shock over some of the things that I saw in that film. The scenes in Cuba broke me down and angered me. How can our health care system be so out of whack? Really.... How many millions do you need to make before you start doing the right thing for your citizens? BRAVO... Micheal Moore.
Interesting? Yes. Propaganda? Maybe... 
2008-07-16
felt that this movie was very well done. The basic premise, of course, is that while we in the United States excel in many things, we are lacking in our development of a health care system that provides service to everyone. The film focuses on universal health care systems in countries like Canada, Great Britain, France, and even Cuba. It also shows many Americans who have had horrible experiences, even deaths, with the American Insurance and Health Care systems. I found the information in this film very enlightening.
