Iran Helps Mississippi Doctors

[Dayuhan]

Canada's health care system has its own issues, most notably a severe shortage of doctors, particularly in rural areas. There are a number of causes for that problem, but probably the one with the greatest impact is the mass exodus of physicians to the US. Apparently the idea of serving as a doctor in West Frigidville, Sasketchewan at a Canadian health service salary is less appealing than the idea of raking in the bucks in southern California. Can't imagine why...

The notion that Government can solve its fiscal problems by issuing money is superficially appealing, but doesn't work terribly well. Ultimately Government has to cover is spending through taxes. Countries like Canada and Australia, with relatively small and relatively productive populations and large taxable extractive industries can get away with subsidizing a fair bit without excessive taxation on individuals. In Europe they just tax the hell out of the productive sector of the population and so far the social consensus behind that policy has held up. Everybody has to find their own way and there's no magic bullet.

I can't say I'm in love with the "single payer" idea across the spectrum, but I do think there's a real role for Government in providing primary health care, particularly in areas with high poverty. Has to do with that old saying about an ounce of prevention and a pound of cure.

I also think we should tax the hell out of junk food, fast food, crap food and sugar-intensive drinks and apply the proceeds to treatment of obesity-related illness, but somehow I don't think that one's gonna fly politically!