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Last Week's Column
03-22-2004
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NATIONALIZING THE LEGAL PROFESSION
I am blessed to have a brother with the ability to solve complex problems with the wisdom of Solomon. Something as simple as two brothers sharing whats left of the pie; one cuts it, the other gets first pick. His solution to the dilemma of gay marriage; they can adopt each other.
I was discussing the prickly issue of national health care. From the standpoint of the medical profession, socialized medicine reduces the quality of health care available to most, does not pay doctors adequately for their educational and occupational commitment, or reward them for the responsibility they bear.
Those promoting socialized medicine believe good health care is a right for all, regardless of income, citizenship or personal responsibility. Bros solution: if we nationalize the medical profession, we nationalize the legal profession.
Good logic? The greatest enemy of doctors is lawyers. Skyrocketing malpractice insurance is the direct result of doctors being sued by lawyers for the pawns in the middle&us. Each profession blames the other, but regardless of fault, the litigious atmosphere has tarnished the image of everyone. It had made the doctors become aloof from their patients, the patients seem greedy, and the lawyers look like opportunists.
If we were to nationalize these professions and the quality of health care declined for most, as the AMA proposes, I suspect the quality of legal care would increase. Granted, a lot fewer people would enter the legal profession but the complaints they file on behalf of us would have more legitimacy. There would be no incentive for ambulance chasing and frivolous litigation.
Cases would be decided by tribunals of judges knowledgeable in medicine. There would be a good side, wed have to face reality. People who overeat could not blame their doctor or Ben & Jerrys, people who smoke could not blame their doctor or Phillip Morris. People who engage in risky pursuits would have to take responsibility for their own actions.
After nationalizing the medical and legal professions, other occupations might follow, like politics. People would be appointed to office; voting would be abolished&
Wait a minute, you say, who would be in charge? Well, I guess wed have to ask Fidel Castro.
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