Man Self-immolates in National Mall

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"The last sentences are pretty informative too. One problem with Americans is that few of us bother to read "the whole damn thing," We'd much rather jump to conclusions."

What conclusions have I jumped to? I am aware of the fact that the US has, or at least had, a lot of doctors. The reason why is socialized medicine in almost all developed countries (which keep wages artificially low--the opposite of the problem here. And as far as the rest of the world--the Third world, or undeveloped countries--they don't have as many doctors simply because they are--well--undeveloped.

You also must not have noticed the date. A lot has happened in the intervening sixteen years to doctor populations; in fact, just what this article has predicted. There is more current information on this abomination in CAGW's "Pig Book" on government waste if you are interested. I gave you this article because this is when the program started--under a Democrat president, although the Republicans are hardly any better.

Here is the problem: Fascist countries are about the state against foreign countries and despised minority groups. As with communism, liberalism--or either the right or left variety--is the state against its own citizens. Why? Money, at least in the case of liberalism. When doctors are scarce, they can command much hire wages, even if it hurts ordinary people. In politics, money doesn't just talk; it screams.

"You know, you and I agree that we have serious problems in american health care. But the free market won't fix this. If you read the last two paragraphs I quote, you can see that the free market is the problem here. We don't need less government regulation. We need SMART government regulation."

Most assuredly I am not an anarchist; I am an old-school, Southern conservative. So, while I am suspicious of government for the reasons I describe above, I also recognize that some governmental intrusion is necessary. With this in mind, let me ask what "SMART" government regulation you would propose?

Concerning the free market, as opposed to capitalism, has always been with us, and always will be. This is why the law of supply and demand is a law; it is immutable. Even Stalin had to relent on this one. Prior to WWII, he drove the free market deep underground, but could not kill it. His strategy for winning WWII was to leave consumer products to the free market economy, and war production to the state. Average Soviet consumers never had it better than at this brief respite from controlled markets, despite the ravages of the war. I would cite as a further example illegal drugs: They are the only drugs that have come down in price while increasing in potency in the last twenty years. This despite a massive governmental "war on drugs" that has cost astronomical amounts of money, and done incalculable damage to our freedoms.

As a brief digression, if you lean left, which I'm guessing you do, the free market in drugs is one of the best arguments against Republican economics that exists. Republican economics have always been biased toward the supply side, even before that term came in to vogue. The free market in illegal drugs proves the demand side economy is just as strong. In other words, some people are willing to risk life and liberty to supply drugs only because other people are willing to pay a lot of money for those drugs. It is demand-side economics.

I am not a worshiper of the free market the way right-liberal Republicans are. While it is very powerful, and for the most part good, it does have several flaws, namely that free market theory must assume that we are all rational actors, when the evidence is quite clear that isn't the case; and that we are all equally good at dealing with the market, when the evidence says that when average people compete against the likes of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet--or the AMA--the contest is just as unfair and unbalanced as putting a little old lady in the ring with a champion boxer. In other words, free markets are a good thing provided we recognize their innate flaws, and make provisions as necessary.

Another facet of the glut of medical school graduates is a worsening shortage of residency spots, which are required for doctors to complete their training.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapotheca ... t-control/

^^^ Okay, just 2 or 3 points...


i looked for the date the first time, but could not find it.

I'd like to ask if you saw this bit?

There is a shortage of psychiatrists,the mental health center I went to before had to fly them in from out of state,you never saw the same shrink twice.Some never even looked at you when they wrote script,you could have been slavering like a rabid dog,and they would not have noticed.Plus they all had different opinions on dosage and medications,a good way to get over medicated.The place I go to now is better,I've had the same Dr. for years,but he is stretched thin and drives all over the state.He may be retiring soon,bummer,because I like him and think he is very good.

Man seen on fire on National Mall dies from injuries.

Source: CNN Article

What we know so far:

• Man self-immolates near famous museum on National Mall on Friday, Oct. 04, 2013
• Passers-by attempted to put out the flames
• His motive is unknown at this time
• His identity is unknown due to the extent of his injuries
• He died from his injuries mid-day Saturday, Oct. 05, 2013

I say democratize medical expertise let all drugs be OTC.