There was an old saying in Ohio when people would keep doing something wrong or stupid, the act would be described as “fig plucking” The term came from the ditty with the refrain: “I’m not a fig plucker or a fig plucker’s son, but I’ll pluck figs till the fig plucker comes” Seems like there […]
The Common Good and Individual Self Interest have oftentimes been portrayed by modern-day academics, politicians, and media experts as being on opposite ends of the political and economic spectrum. History dating back to the ancient Greek Philosophers and up to the Fathers of the Enlightenment and through the Industrial Revolution and attempts to redefine the […]
As we approach the “peak of the curve” in Idaho and as our Governor will be coming down with his decision about extending “stay in place” policies for the whole State of Idaho early next week I believe a few observations are in order. First of all, I believe the Governor’s instincts have served the […]
We are now a couple of months into this Coronavirus Crisis and each day we learn more about how dangerous it might be and how contagious it is but all of our decisions as a country revolve around assumptions. The reactions by our leaders have been run more by the press than the data provided […]
Immunizations continue to be at the forefront in federal government programs and in states that create legislation with mandates for vaccine compliance. Each state has vaccination requirements for children entering kindergarten, including Idaho, with some states requiring more vaccines than others. While all school immunization laws grant vaccine exemptions for medical reasons, many states are […]
Where has $45 million of our tax dollars gone? In the Wall Street Journal was a very interesting article identifying a problem that conservatives anticipated prior to the implementation of Medicaid expansion. The per capita increase in spending nationwide on the Medicaid expansion population patients is 16% higher over the past 3 years than on the […]
In this week’s edition of Idaho Politics Weekly Luke Mayville has written a letter thanking all his volunteers for helping pass Medicaid expansion. A pleasant gesture for sure, but to me it really points out the great chasm between progressive values and traditional classical liberal (today called conservative) philosophy. In his article Professor Mayville never […]
On July 13th of this year, I penned an editorial published in The Gem State Patriot entitled “Where are our Legislators on Health Care?” Several other Idaho physicians have asked the same question and opined in editorial pages around the State asking similar questions. It has been obvious to many that the lobbyists in the […]
I was sorry to hear that Senator Bernie Sanders had an ischemic event crescendo angina or a heart attack while campaigning in Las Vegas. I was also relieved to know that he was being treated at a state of the art medical center where I know many of the physicians and surgeons that practice there. […]
Over the past 9 years, we have argued in many places and forums the three points that lead this article. Our opponents have argued otherwise. We are now seeing these arguments being made in the national press more frequently and forcibly because the true numbers on The ACA costs and promises are beginning to appear. […]
We were alerted to a recent healthcare conference attended by several legislators including Speaker Bedke, Maryanne Jordan (D-Boise) and Rep. Rod Furniss (R-Rigby). After reading their comments on the validity of vaccines, I’m appalled at the lack of real understanding they all have and the fact that these are leaders of our state. Maybe Speaker […]
In 1974, I was assigned as a Navy medical student for 3 months active duty at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth VA. This was at the end of the Viet Nam War and I had the privilege of being involved in the care of many wounded and injured sailors, soldiers and Marines including 36 returning […]