Disqus - Latest Comments for marioburgos

Re: Can big government make us thin?

marioburgos — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:40:10 -0000

What do you mean Froot Loops are going to make us fat? I learned all about the food pyramid during my elementary public school years, and you're supposed to eat a lot of froot. Brigette, I think you'd better go back and check your facts.

Moreover, not only are you negating the obvious nutritional contribution Froot Loops makes to society, but you are failing to take into account the educational value the brand brings to the table. Frootloops.com is able to provide endless hours of strategic thinking challenges for our nations' youth.

By comparison, Broccoli.com is nothing more than a redirect for some longstanding manufacturer peddling numerous packaged products. To make matters worse, one of the products in their innocently named "Consumer Corner" is the "Tailgater Pack."

It's a well-known fact that tailgate parties are nothing more than an excuse to drink to excess before entering college athletic facilities that don't sell beer. Are Broccoli Tailgates really the type of example we want to set for our children?

Re: ABQNews: Health Care Debate: Day 4

marioburgos — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:58:50 -0000

One more thought... you made the point that the only type of treatment available to folks without insurance is through emergency rooms. That can also be true for people with insurance. My niece fell and needed stitches recently. She was insured. It wasn't anything huge, but when my wife called the doctor's office, they said that the best way to get her seen was to take her into the emergency room. In other words equal care for my niece as for someone without insurance.

Re: ABQNews: Health Care Debate: Day 4

marioburgos — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:54:29 -0000

So, I 've spent a decent amount of time traveling around rural New Mexico. I don't know of any economically feasible way to bring the type of healthcare you will find near urban centers to rural areas. It is not cost-effective to do so. Like many other things in life choosing a rural lifestyle means trade-offs.

I don't doubt that there are those that that end up in nursing homes because of failure to treat undiagnosed diseases. But, again the most cost effective solution for providing preventive healthcare services for these folks is for them to bear the responsibility to seek out healthcare. That means making it into town for a check up at a clinic.

I didn't mean to imply that doctors don't do pro-bono work. I also know many that do. Nor, did I intend to propose that the only way to solve the healthcare problem was for people to work for free. I'm unabashed capitalist, so that's no really a solution I would push on anyone. However, by the same token, there is an obligation everyone shares to give back. I just don't believe that obligation needs to be managed by the government. Government seems to do more ineffectively than any other organization I've ever met.

As to it costing someone $300K to become a GP, that does seem to be a problem doesn't it? You have to wonder if it really takes that much money to educate someone to diagnose hypertension and diabetes, etc. Or , if the medical industry has a bit of self protection built into by making the costs so high for education.

I'd argue with the access to technology today, we could easily train medical professionals for much, much less. Of course, the complaint would likely be that people with money have access to "better" medical providers, much like we hear that people with money have access to "better" education. This really is at the heart of this and other debates. How can we make guarantee that everyone has equal access to the same quality of care... education... housing... standard of living, etc.

We can't. That's communism, and that experiment has failed. But, we do live in a free society, and individuals that want something better can chase it and earn it. It happens every day. People from VERY humble beginnings still achieve the American dream. Also, people who want to make a difference or solve a problem can, but they have to tackle it on their own. They can motivate others to tackle it with them, but forcing others (i.e taxing them to support the solution) never works in the long term.

There have been psychological studies done where someone screams for help in an apartment building, and no one calls the police because they assume that one of their neighbors surely would have done it. The same is true when we grow the size of government. Suddenly, no one does what's needed to help out because they pay their taxes and assume that the government is going to step up and fix it.

New Mexico is a great place to observe this. Break down on the side of the road in Albuquerque, and watch how many cars drive past you assuming that someone else will help you out. Break down on the side of the road anywhere in rural New Mexico and I guarantee you the first person to drive by will stop to see if you need any assistance.

Is it because people in rural New Mexico are nicer than people in Albuquerque? I don't think so. It's because people in rural areas know that if they don't stop to help, no one else will. Put the responsibility back on the individual and the community, and I believe they will always rise to challenge.

Re: ABQNews: Health Care Debate: Day 4

marioburgos — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:37:13 -0000

Barbara, I'll try and address the challenge you put forth regarding how I would deal with the uninsured. The answer is that we already have a solution for the uninsured, as Dr. Perrigo pointed out, they are served by our university hospitals and clinics, which have taken over for County hospitals. They have access to healthcare.

I have no desire to die prematurely. I actually really enjoy life. But, I do understand that at some point I will be faced with death. To me and those that love me, I'm sure my life is invaluable. When given the option of spending a million dollars to prolong it, I'm sure I think it would be money well spent. But, the reality is that if it's my time to go, it's my time to go. That's why I try and make the most with what time I have.

A somewhat tangential thought here, but I never understood why those who want others to have low cost health care options just can't go to medical school and provide the service. That may sound like I'm being facetious, but I'm not. No where is it written that a doctor must charge exorbitant fees to provide a service. Again, here is that nasty personal responsibility theme. If you want to provide low cost healthcare, get a medical degree and provide it. They could even provide the services on a barter system. It was done that way once upon a time in America.

Dr. Perrigo, I probably didn't do a good job of explaining what I was advocating when I suggested using Google for medical treatment. What I intended to suggest is that the consumer can become a better advocate for themselves by taking on some personal responsibility for learning about their options when it comes to types of medical care. They don't have to walk in a doctor's office and take whatever the doctor's prescribed course of action without exploring other options.

If the consumer was more directly involved in paying for the healthcare at the time of the "transaction" they would most likely take on this responsibility. Then, the fact that it was a fee for service transaction would be less of an issue.