Danny Williams

While I was down in the U.S. I had a hamburger "THIS" big!

Danny Williams is the former premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, after having stroked his ego long enough. Canadians pride themselves on their supposedly grand national health care system, but Danny knows what's up. In February, 2010, he spurned his fellow Canadians and their shoddy health care system and came to the United States to have surgery. He also likes to club baby seals when he isn't enjoying hockey.

Background

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Dunderdale tries to stop the political bleeding.

At this time, Mr. Williams has not revealed any information concerning his medical needs except that it is an "undisclosed heart surgery" of some sort. However, Mr. Williams has made his distaste for the Canadian health care system abundantly clear by leaving his country behind and traveling to what many Canadians believe to be "the Evil Empire." During the 12 week absence, Mr. Williams will have his job covered by the Deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale, who is also keeping mum about any medical issues. She did, however, have this to say about the whole affair:

“	He has gone to a renowned expert in the procedure that he needs to have done. In consultation with his own doctors, he's decided to go that route. It was never an option offered to him to have this procedure done in this province. The premier has made a commitment that once he's through this procedure and he's well enough, he's going to talk about the whole process and share as much detail with you as he's comfortable to do at that time.	„
—Let's hope he has his procedure finished before Obama's health care package gets passed.

Mrs. Dunderdale goes on to say that she "doesn't know how the procedure will be paid for," and that "it will perhaps be done someplace in Florida." It may be inferred that not only does Mr. Williams have a distaste for Canada's hospitals, he also has a distaste for Canada's cold weather.

Canadian Reaction

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Canadian reaction.

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I'm going to Florida!

When this story first hit the media, the most common reaction was to state that "Mr. Williams plays a lot of hockey."

Most of his opponents and proponents realize that there is a huge political gaff going on and will side step the issue when questioned about the apparent defection to the United States. Most quotes concerning the medical procedure are along the lines of "Get well soon!" and "Best Wishes!" However, some noted Cardio-pulmonary experts have offered their opinions on the subject, including this slap in the fact to modern socialized medicine:

	“	He's a private citizen, who certainly has the right to choose where he wants to get the procedure done.	„
	—Dr. Robert Roberts, University of Ottawa Heart Institute president

	“	I would expect that he is eligible for all that the rest of us would be in terms of our own private insurance or government insurance and I'm sure if there's anything over and above that the premier will certainly take care of it himself.	„
	—So I guess that free health care isn't really free?

One Politico reader suggested that Williams, whose known for his often adversarial relationship with the federal Conservative government, was well aware of how the move might reflect on Ottawa. "Danny Williams is known for trying to embarrass the Canadian government" seems to be the mantra at this point, along with the snide quip: "The reason he’s going down south is because he can afford the $50,000 cost of getting surgery."

However, all quips aside, it seems that it is the normal procedure for rich Canadians to leave their country to seek medical help in the United States. Former Canadian Member of Parliament Belinda Stronach steadfastly opposed any privatization of Canadian health care while in office. Yet in 2007, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she effectively opted out of her beloved public system in order to have surgery in California. For poor slob Canadians, such tourism is out of the question.

Williams has shown no signs of slowing down or that he's considering retirement. On numerous occasions over the past several months, he has said he will run in the next election, which is scheduled for 2012, but it is not known which of the 50 states he will be running in.

Quotes

	“	That’s like the premier of China coming here for a decent egg roll. It must be pretty bad when even someone with his clout skips town for medical help.	„
	—Some guy on RedState.com

	“	It cracks me up when top tier folks get treatment in U.S. (medical) facilities and the right sees vindication.	„
	—Toronto Sun

	“	How is it that the Canadian health care system is just fine for all the little people, but when a provincial premier hears the thump of mortality in his chest, it’s off to Cedars-Sinai, Sloan-Kettering, or Mayo?	„
	—Dale Franks wrote on www.cando.net.

	“	The premier hasn't done anything that anybody else in the same circumstances wouldn't have considered and acted in the same way, the criticism is completely unacceptable.	„
	—More from talking head Dunderdale.

	“	To have to undergo the battery that he's undergone these last few days ... not only across the country but now being the poster boy for the debate in the United States ... is a bit much. I believe it goes beyond the pale.	„
	—Dunderdale is indignant!

	“	They have the very best waiting lists of any country anywhere. Yep it’s a real honor to be on one of the finest waiting lists in all the land.	„
	—Some alternate views...

	“	Before America emulates the Canadian model with a new trillion-plus-dollar health plan, it's worth examining whether government-run systems are all they're cracked up to be. As a Canadian by birth, I can assure you they're not.	„
	—Sally C. Pipes from Investors.com

	“	A "culture of queuing" dominates my native land. In 2008, the average Canadian waited 17.3 weeks from the time his general practitioner referred him to a specialist until he actually received treatment, according to the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute.	„
	—More Sally C. Pipes.

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Video

In addition to hating Canadian Health Care, Mr. Williams also hates The Beatles and baby seals! Watching liberals argue with Canadians is like watching two retards try to slap each other to death. Watch at your own risk.