Doctor Who?

So the country has a new health care law in place. Note that I did not write that the "nation" has a new "health care reform" law. First, I submit to you that the USA is NOT a nation, especially if you consider the animosity we direct to each other as recently exhibited by the so-called patriots of the Tea Party ilk. The USA does not support the classic definition of a nation as is taught in political science and political geography courses (except in Texas, but that is another story for another tirade). Nor has health care been "reformed." A single-payer or universal health care law would be health care reform; the new law reforms only certain aspects of health care coverage and insurance company policy. Much more has yet to be done.

I read this morning in that drearily middle-of-the-road rag known as the New York Times that some doctor in Florida placed signage on his door demanding that Obama supporters go elsewhere for their health care. Not so unusual here in Corvallis, OR where a much respected physician has refused to provide health care to me because I am too ill and take too many medications (I'll give you his name if you ask offline). Health care in this country must be really reformed so that people in Florida and Oregon (and the other 48 states, also - assuming that Rick Perry hasn't led Texas to secede this weekend) can be treated by any and all physicians. No physician should be allowed to practice if she/he chooses to refuse care based upon politics and disease!

Gordon Smith must go!

On Saturday September 6, 2008 there was a small item published in the Corvallis (OR) Gazette-Times (G-T) titled Smith: Palin has 'right stuff' for job. If Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) really believes this, he is not fit for re-election to the United States Senate. In fact, that he said it should seal his fate. I strongly urge my fellow citizens of Oregon to send Smith back to work in his family food processing business. Jeff Merkley deserves our support.

Of further interest is the burying of this damnable statement by Smith deep into the newspaper by the G-T. Does this rag have a pro-Smith agenda?