The brown in me is in Canada this month. I don’t like it when Canadians tell me how to fix America, and yet here I am ready to bitch out their system. Unfortunately I have spent most of my time in the medical system. Everyone who has dealt with us has been exceptional. These people are saving lives and dealing with people at their hardest moments.

The other day I was sitting in the waiting area and started talking to people and realized how angry they are at their system of health care . Apparently they like to point out American faults, but their system is rigged with corruption and inequalities. When it comes to universal care its not about medicine, its about who you know. The only thing equal is the cost of coverage. The rich and influential pay the same, but jump lines. However I don’t have the time or inclination to discuss universal health. The issue which I found which infuriates all these people and irks the brown in me is parking.

Yes parking! As one Canadian explained: ” My taxes in one form or another pay for this hospital, and then they rake me for parking fees.” I was stunned at how expensive it is to park at hospitals in Canada. At the time of need the Canadian powers that be, feel the need to take advantage of their citizens. Screw legalized marijuana, how about free parking at hospitals first! Maybe that’s the plan, keep em high and mellow and they wont realize they are being screwed. They even have a website and a link for the service, how thoughtful. Must be profitable.

Of course the wealthy are not going to mind, but the masses are struggling and when someone in their family is suffering the government decides to take advantage. I heard stories of people parking in the mall and walking over, or parking blocks and blocks away. This isn’t just about patients, the system punishes nurses, lab techs and workers too, except Doctors of course. Some employees have to park in parking lots of businesses and then walk to the hospital, as parking would not be feasible with the salary they are paid. If something as simple as parking is made elitist, why would you believe the medicine would be universal.

They say you must tackle big problems piece meal. Start with the small and let each success build. How easy is it to fix parking? Why do Canadians put up with this? Now I am lucky it doesn’t effect me, but I cannot believe hospitals sell monthly passes to families for parking. As much as I hate Obamacare, the spineless one never introduced parking fees. Maybe that will be next, after all a captive market with no competition is a gold mine.Do you believe the money is going into better medicine? No. Its a revenue stream for someone connected to the government and their friends. Whatever the deficit, parking is not the cause.