Posted on 07/22/2012 7:34:42 AM PDT by Dysart
BREAK
Tell a story? Well, there are a lot of us these days who have stories to tell. And far from reflecting unity, purpose, and optimism, these are testimonials to another sad reality: the "American dream" -- at least under the Obama administration -- is dying.
My story is not that special, though it is unique in some ways. My wife is a medical doctor from the former Soviet Union -- as smart as she is beautiful. A surgeon by training (holding a Ph.D. in medicine on top of her M.D.), not only is she extremely capable as a hands-on physician, but she is also a businesswoman. Being a doctor has always meant everything to her, but she also knew that state-employed doctors in Russia earn on average only about $400 a month. She, however, had enough of an entrepreneurial spirit that, after practicing many years in emergency rooms and in cardiovascular surgery, she established her own plastic surgery clinic in the heart of Siberia.
Over time, she was grossing a "respectable" $2,000 a month. When we married and she came to America, I was thrilled to bring her to the "land of opportunity," where, as a doctor, she could earn multiple times her Russian income.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Unless you're asserting Physicians have self-interest and, that they, unlike every other industry, should not. This nullifies their objections to it in your view? How very collectivist of you! The truth is industry insiders are best poised to assess it, and the impact of legislative edicts. You are both impugning the author and his wife's profession's motives without addressing the merits of...well..anything substantive. Apparently, since you go after them personally I conclude you're not fond of physicians. Fine. Maybe your last prostrate exam was traumatizing. I joke, but you see how things deteriorate when you head to the sewer, and make it personal. If you can make a coherent argument for Obamacare, go ahead.
But you do realize, I hope, that the author's perspective is Obamacare is emblematic of the larger picture of our overall current and future condition, which is barreling toward greater state control, and away from personal liberty. Refer to the title for guidance.
One has to wonder how much of the “residency” requirement for doctors was created to protect patients; how much of it was meant to provide hospitals with cheap help from trained people; and how much of it was meant to protect doctors from competition from eager qualified new people.
I have an example from my own profession to illustrate. Many years ago when I was first hired; one could be propoted to lietenant after three years on the job. It is now five years since the test is only given every two to three years this really means up to eight years. Supposedly this is for safety. But if someone has 20 years on some other department and has written books and has a degree there still is no exception made. It is not for safety; it is a union thing. I am pretty sure that the residency deal for doctors is similar.
I don’t think you’re off target. Residency programs should be reformed. Actually this will forced upon them; and we can only hope the changes are for the better as demand for services skyrockets. It may not be.
Yes, I think. Basing it on an admittedly small sample: my primary care physician, my rheumatologist, and my orthopedic surgeon --- the doctors with whom I have personal contact.
Their country of origin. Special status.
Actually, it’s the AMA that makes it so difficult and expensive for foreign-trained doctors to qualify here.
It’s my view of the article that the author was decrying the existing bureaucracy and how OC will expand upon it, not that OC created the entry barriers.
Yes, it’s the AMA.
You’re jumping to conclusions and making too many assumptions.
First off, where in my remarks do I sound “collective”? That’s a very dumb assumption, or a jump to a conclusion which is not merited at all. I would be the first one to attack Obamacare, and any of its supporters, as being socialist or big government advocates.
I’m only questioning the veracity of the “good doctor”, because, he is the one who is approaching Obamacare and the stimulus as, not having done enough for his wife’s future as a doctor in the U.S. If he had not brought up his wife’s predicament, and how the stimulus and Obamacare were of no help, then the rest of his statements would have had a lot more credibility. So, the question, again, is, if the wife had received the help she needed, from the stimulus and/or Obamacare, would he still have issued his negative remarks about the stimulus or Obamacare?
When it comes to current doctors and medical students, I’ve met a few whose main concern was, how Obamacare would affect their future. Granted that, each person has to look out for himself, but, in the medical profession, supposedly, the patients’ concerns were supposed to be the primary concern; either that, or the Hippocratic oath has very little meaning in current times.
Regarding Obamacare, I’m the first one to call it a monstrosity, and a destructive force, which will destroy this country a lot faster than the current big government social programs already in full implementation. My question is still, would people, on their own personal level, not mind Obamacare as much, if they were guaranteed to continue with their rich and rewarding careers?
The writer/doctor, inserted his wife into the article/discussion, and his approach took a personal angle, where, at least part of his motives, have to be questioned.
Each dr’s postion is unique on the issue. Not clear why this matters to you deeply. Traveling and not able to elaborate too much, but your focus on their personal stake isnt understood or compelling to me, but noted.
Not really. When you expressed concern over their individual liberty (which includes their economic freedom and pursuit of happiness.. sound familiar?) vs the interests of overall society, citing the economy, hc industry, and patients. Of course physicians are elements of the hc industry and hc is approaching 1/5 of the economy so they're intertwined and that question is moot. Clearly your concern was tinged with collectivism, you just didn't realize it.
If he had not brought up his wifes predicament, and how the stimulus and Obamacare were of no help, then the rest of his statements would have had a lot more credibility.
He was using his wife's predicament to illustrate the larger issues to which we are all exposed-- a common literary device. Would you have preferred a "composite character?" :) And I think you unintentionally miscast his perspective as someone else did earlier. A closer reading should reveal he asserts that OC will pile on more regulations and intensify existing problems. In the next quote you indicate that you have long...in fact, being among the "first," to recognize and oppose this very legislation and its destructive ramifications.
Regarding Obamacare, Im the first one to call it a monstrosity, and a destructive force, which will destroy this country a lot faster than the current big government social programs already in full implementation
So, you too, by your admissions oppose OC, but you're suspicious of providers who feel as you do.
Self-interest isn't a bad thing in conservative/libertarian schools of thought. And as life goes on you'll find pockets of hypocrisy abound. That's the way it is, we learn to accept it.
Fair enough.
AH BUCK UP !!! I’M SICK OF THESE STORIES! WE”RE AMERICANS DAMN IT!!! THE ONLY THING “”DYING”” IS THIS MARXIST PUNKS CHANCES OF BEING RE-ELECTED!!! (sorry for the shouting.)
You're not paying attention.
Your government flooded the U.S. with tens of millions of illegals from Mexico, they've flooded the country with millions of foreigners who could give a squat about America, not to mention tens of hundreds of thousands of Muslims.
In fact, under Bush, after 911, more Muslims entered the U.S. than the previous two decades, during war time no less.
The U.S. Government has nearly left America dead on the floor.
You need to get out more.
MY government? And where did you get this stat on Muslim immigration, got a link for it? Are you a foreign national living here or are you being cheeky? I refuse to buy into the negativity of such stories. It isn’t me who needs to ‘’get out more’’ pal. It’s you who needs more faith in We The People.
Don't believe me. There are many other sources BTW.
In 2005, more people from Muslim countries became legal permanent United States residents nearly 96,000 than in any year in the previous two decades.
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