With apologies to Rousseau, what is one to think about this letter writer to The New York Times. Google reveals him to be (but of course) a college professor, possessor of advanced degrees, the author of several books and owner of a house that Zillow says is worth $740,000, yet the man is so terrified of having to provide medical care for himself that he would willingly turn over the care of his life and decisions on that care to a bureaucrat, hoping only that that government official will be “devoted and well trained”. Professor Washburn has either never visited a motor vehicle department (in fact, he probably rides an adult tricycle or a Segue, with helmet on), or has really drunk that California Kool-Ade. Either way, if the educated class is so pathetically fearful and eager to relinquish personal responsibility for their own lives, it seems likely that the disadvantaged are even more so. How very sad.
Why We Must Ration Health Care (July 19, 2009)
Peter Singer is right when he says that we must ration health care. If we are going to develop an equitable and effective national health care system in the United States, then we must face the fact that, while modern medicine can do amazing things, its price is sometimes so large that it should not be paid. Bureaucrats have got to be involved, and here’s hoping that they are devoted and well trained. If President Obama wants to do the nation a service, he should emphasize these ultimate necessities, rather than advising governors to avoid using the “ration” word.
Alan Washburn, loser
