Hmmmmm.... -- WASHINGTON BOARD

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Date Posted: 13:51:05 03/16/02 Sat
Author: Donk
Author Host/IP: 212.indianapolis-24rh15rt.in.dial-access.att.net / 12.85.14.212
Subject: Hmmmmm....
In reply to: MJ 's message, "a kid writes" on 10:13:58 03/16/02 Sat

I imagine he is home schooled. Like the guy in the movie said, "Here (we) are drowning and (he's) describing the water!"

We can change these dircetions if we choose. We can do something about it, but we have to realize that our ideas might not be what the general population wants.

I still believe that we mostly want to be left alone and in exchange, we'll leave others alone. There is a small, but vocal force out there that wants to structure the whole thing according to some sort of ideal they visualize, but we can deal with that also if we choose.

First, who are these people? Who wanted to go after tobacco? Who wants to go after guns? Who wants to nationalize health care and is that really such a bad thing?

Tobacco. Isn't the issue a natural evolution of the war on drugs and other social efforts meant to protect society from obligations incurred by some of its members because of lifestyle choices? If drugs can be targeted and demonized, why not tobacco and then why not ice cream or Pepsi or anything else? Ultimately, why not outlaw birth (as China) since each person is a threat to the environment and other people.

Guns. Law enforcement, control freaks, and people who are generally afraid want thie fears addressed and Guns seem a reasonable target and they are easy to see. While guns don't kill anywhere near as many people as stupidity and carelessness, they are a personal statement which adds to the problem as perceived by the fearful, the controllers, and law enforcement. It is possible that these aren't really three distinct groups at all.

There is no way that health care for profit will ever be reasonable, fair, or satisfactory for everybody. Ultimately, no product meant for profit sells to everybody and the whole idea accepts certain exclusions that make business, but not social sense. It might be a race between two ideologies; One, can we shape social attitudes so we accept the consequences of some exclusions -- some people just die because they don't fit the demographics; two, we make it a non-profit endeavor, reasonably fair for everybody and eat the cost because it serves a social purpose we believe is important.

Another possibility is that medical professionals will begin to realistically compete with managed care organizations; electing to make a reasonable living providing medical care because that is what they want and need to do. As long as we don't allow the fight to erect barriers to such competition, it could happen. Perhaps a hybrid -- society would own the expensive technologies, while doctors and such would provide the services.

The single largest problem I se with the kid's offer is that we are government -- still, and we need to start working to change the idea from THE government back to government. He seems smart, maybe he could help, if he understands the idea. Bush certainly doesn't, but as long as he plays it right, he carries approval.

I'll bet chickens are happy with those who feed them, never realizing that those will also be eating them. That is how I see the republican party's support base.

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Replies:

Re: a kid writes? -- Grumpy�, 10:42:48 03/17/02 Sun