Stephan:   Over the past few days several of you have written me to tell me about horrible experiences you have had with the U.S. illness profit system, and how devastating it was on your life. I am long past being surprised by these accounts, having written many articles on this subject. (In addition to the SR archives, please see www.explorejournal.com/content/schwartz for my essays on this aspect of life in America.) But still, things do change so, in spite of the several dire reports I have published recently, I went looking to get a clearer sense, based on data, of how most Americans are actually faring today. Once again I discovered it is an awful picture. Here are just a few of the reports I came across in my search. I have been following this trend for 15 years and the truth is, it is getting worse. Maybe when Obama's programs really kick in it will get better but the truth is we won't really have true healthcare until wellness not profit is the main function of the system. The Ryan Plan is an abomination. If any of you vote Republican you will reap the consequences of your action, and I can guarantee you won't like it. -- Stephan