If a genie in a bottle popped out and granted me one wish for Americans, here’s what I’d decree: Excellent Health for ALL.
There are plenty of problems out there in the U.S. for Americans to deal with: broken employment; broken environment; broken home; broken security; broken family; broken corporations; broken trust; broken finances; broken heart; broken values; broken promises; broken government; broken sleep; broken peace; broken peace of mind; broken purpose; broken civility; and broken dreams. (Did I cover them all?)
But if your body ain’t broke, all those other troubles are easier to handle.
When you’re healthy, you’re stronger—physically and mentally—and can face adversity, stress, time constraints, set backs, anything! infinitely better. Even the fun times are more fun when you feel great.
Years ago when I sent out stacks of Christmas cards I used to write: “Salubrious Salutations from Toni.” First, I just liked the way it sounded. Second, the meaning was so important for me: “Beneficial to health or well-being greetings.” That sums up what I wanted to impart to everyone. I don’t think most people got it, so I quit saying it. Now I don’t bother to send pre-printed cards!
If I were Emperor of The U.S.A., I would command that all schools (public or private; pre-school through college) teach Health and Nutrition on regular basis. In addition, they must eliminate all junk food and soda pop (the scourge of American health!) from their campuses.
Also, all citizens MUST watch an infotainment channel that presented a combination of Dr. Mercola’s e-newsletter and Life Extensions magazine in an entertaining format. I’d require all celebrities to read, sing, interpretive dance, or dramatize the health information. Celebrities have to be good for something in this country! (Kate Gosselin tap dances to a reading of “Blueberries can perk up your brain.” OR Brittany lip-syncs sings to “The dangers of a high sugar diet.” For those Americans who are not celebrity-obsessed, they can read the info in its original format.
Making people pay attention to their health is difficult in the beginning. But after they start seeing and feeling the results, they no longer have to be convinced. THEY GET IT!
I forget the exact percentage of every dollar that the government and individuals spend on health care in this country, but it is the highest in the world (something like 20-25% of every dollar). Holy cow that’s a lot that could be better spent elsewhere (education, job creation, etc.).
It is an infinitely better idea to stay healthy in the first place.
The problem with a Health Care System that stresses prevention is that there in NOT MUCH MONEY to be made. A non-sick population would severely cut in to bottom line of many major industries in America, which have purchased the voting rights to the legislative and executive branches of our government. And hasn’t Monsanto purchased the voting rights to Justice Thomas and the FDA? Unfortunately in America today, it’s ALWAYS about the money.
That “Affordable Health Care Reform Bill” that Pres. “I Bow Down to Insurance Companies” Obama is a joke that’s not funny. It doesn’t reform anything. It does nothing to teach Americans how to stay well so MOST won’t need insurance companies, hospitals, drugs, surgery, doctor visits, shots, glucose monitors, orthopedic devices, transplants, etc.
All the Obama bill does is reapportion the costs. For people who don’t want or need or can’t afford standard U.S. type medical services, such as moi, it makes us pay anyway to the tune of taxing our income. It gives more power to insurance companies to dictate how to practice medicine. Disgusting and scary.
Here’s reform: All insurance companies MUST pay for annual blood tests that evaluate all areas of a person’s health—not just cholesterol levels, but MUST include CBC chem panels, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, thyroid, hormones, glucose levels, Vit. D hydroxy-25, etc. The tests are reasonably cheap (even without insurance). It takes about 10 minutes to draw the blood. The results are invaluable as they present an overall picture of an individual’s health. This is how you deter medical problems from starting in the first place.
More reform: Physicians MUST take an oath NOT to receive no bribes or incentives from pharmaceuticals companies. Nor can they serve on corporate boards, participate in drug company sponsored trials, or any other endeavor that creates a conflict of interest. (You’d think this would be a no-brainer, however, it appears that MOST physicians are quite capable of being as greedy as a Wall St. banker.)
More reform: The Health Care System MUST be administered by what’s best for the American people and NOT any of the other ancillary players involved. (Sheesh, good luck with that one.)
The health care system in the U.S. is broken. Don’t let it affect your body or brain. Sidestep all the idiocy by staying well. You will save time and money. You’ll be healthier and happier.
You’ve heard a thousand times what you need to do to be healthy. You need to decide that you’re worth the effort.
To you and yours in 2010, take care of your health!
