Non-Trad discusses why so many fear government-run health care
Trina Morgan
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Opinion
I would not put it so bluntly, but I am inclined to agree with him. I am thankful to say that I have never known anyone who suffered from lung cancer; there's no doubt that it is a tragic situation. And I am sure that there have been cases which were not the direct result of smoking. In my mind the "answer" is not as cut and dried as it seems to be in Dr. Gonzalez's. However, it is plain to see that many of the "Western" diseases- the lifestyle-related illnesses of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers are preventable for the most part, when people are willing to change the way that we live.
I would assert that it's not only those with "liberal-socialist-Marxist" minds who expect to be taken care of. It is the general population. We somehow have put our faith in modern medicine to fix whatever is wrong with us. We don't want to take responsibility for our own health-we are too lazy. It's easier to drive through McDonald's than to cook a healthy meal-or even make a sandwich out of healthy ingredients. It's too much trouble to walk up the stairs when we can catch an elevator. It's too painful to suffer the effects of a common cold and let it run its course, which would build up our immunity; we'd rather take some Nyquil and deal with the hangover tomorrow, if we can just go to sleep now. If we get sick, we go to the doctor and expect him to make us all better. We gobble up whatever newest shot or pill the pharmaceutical companies advertise on TV, hoping that we can find some magic remedy for all that ails us, from the flu virus to a bloated stomach to our kid's short attention span.
I am thankful that there are programs available for people who need them; of course we must take steps to alleviate suffering. But when the government begins to take away our personal choices, to dictate to us how we will go about pursuing our own brand of happiness, I must agree with Dr. Gonzalez. Government regulation of health care is a frightening proposition.
I would assert that it's not only those with "liberal-socialist-Marxist" minds who expect to be taken care of. It is the general population. We somehow have put our faith in modern medicine to fix whatever is wrong with us. We don't want to take responsibility for our own health-we are too lazy. It's easier to drive through McDonald's than to cook a healthy meal-or even make a sandwich out of healthy ingredients. It's too much trouble to walk up the stairs when we can catch an elevator. It's too painful to suffer the effects of a common cold and let it run its course, which would build up our immunity; we'd rather take some Nyquil and deal with the hangover tomorrow, if we can just go to sleep now. If we get sick, we go to the doctor and expect him to make us all better. We gobble up whatever newest shot or pill the pharmaceutical companies advertise on TV, hoping that we can find some magic remedy for all that ails us, from the flu virus to a bloated stomach to our kid's short attention span.
I am thankful that there are programs available for people who need them; of course we must take steps to alleviate suffering. But when the government begins to take away our personal choices, to dictate to us how we will go about pursuing our own brand of happiness, I must agree with Dr. Gonzalez. Government regulation of health care is a frightening proposition.
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