Background: I've been having a debate with my liberal uncle over universal healthcare vs. free market healthcare and when I suggested that the a barter system could be used by the poor in lieu of money, he acted like that was even worse.
Any thoughts on why people seem to think that a barter system is so bad?
He thinks the government should take care of everyone and the taxpayers should pay for it.
Because they have no idea how toxic a fiat fractional reserve system is.
In a word where most workers are unskilled, bartering for healthcare services is the less practical option. Though in this situation, it certainly works well for the healthcare providers, and anyone with a desirable skill. The doctors are the ones getting fucked by taxes, and they'll usually jump at the opportunity to have some services performed without the tax man taking their cut.
I'm going to take a guess and say your uncle doesn't know a very desirable trade?
Actually he's worked in IT since the 80's and is retiring at the end of the year.
But even if they are unskilled they could still perform some sort of labor as long as it is rated at the market value for the task they perform. It would be an agreement that is mutually beneficial to both parties since the doctor would receive something that they may have had to pay someone else for while the patient receives medical care. It also would be none of anyone else's business as long as the two parties are satisfied with the end results.
Trust me, I'm with you on the value of barter. I do it all the time. I traded labor for rent during my first year of college. I've even traded my time for some dental work, though it was only a partial trade.
I would wager a guess that most of the people who are against barter are really just against barter as an argument for free markets. I've never really met someone who inherently dislikes a fair trade.
No good tax money, middleman fees, and other professional beggars getting their cut of the action.