Futurama

One of the current rumors circulating about the Health Care Bill centers around a supposed provision of so-called "death panels," made up of medical and (maybe) ethical experts who would decide if a person who they deem too old, ill or injured should continue to receive health services. Such a provision does not exist.

Among aborgines this practice, in some form, has existed for centuries as practical and necessary. When members of a tribe could no longer provide for themselves they were sent off into the jungle, desert or into the frozen wasteland to die. There was simply no back-up plan.
Will we someday come full circle?

In my opinion our country is still 25 to 50 years away from from government-paid voluntary euthanasia followed in a few years by mandatory euthanasia. It may happen sooner. Far-fetched?
In countries like England, Canada, Sweden, etc. where some health care is rationed, people die waiting for the treatment they need. It's not called euthanasia but the effect is the same.

The U.S. has a chronic shortage of general practice doctors and nurses. Med school grads are opting for high-paying specialties. Those who do enter GP shun rural areas for monetary reasons. In order to get more GPs in rural areas the govt. will have to supplement their income.

We have before us a health bill put together by a sausage-making Congress, the AMA, pharma companies, medical equipt. manufacturers, unions and who knows who else, none of whom wants their ox to be gored. A bill was introduced that would would have required all members of the House to sign a statement that they had read the entire health bill. Are you surprised to learn that this bill was soundly defeated ?

Another bill would have required all members of Congress to sign up for their health insurance under the new health bill. Again, soundly defeated. Not good enough for Congress but O.K. for Mr. And Mrs. Tax Payer! Is this not the epitome of arrogance and disregard for their constituents?

I correctly predicted the implosion of the Republicans in the last election. I'm not ready to count the Democrats out but they are hell-bent on the same path. They seem to have no regard for the people they are sworn to represent. They have their agenda and bygod nobody is going to change it. This is not the "change" the electorate so passionately yearned for.

Are you listening, Mr. President?