With all of the discussions about healthcare taking place across the country, I feel compelled to list a few observations.

1. You know there was a time when healthcare was not for profit. That was prior to 1970. It was under the Nixon Administration that for profit healthcare became a reality in the United States.

2. Managed Care and Insurance companies make HUGE profits from the business of healthcare and they do so by limitimg the services that are provided to patients and restricting the compensation to doctors while charging high premiums.

3. The original intent of healthcare insurance was to provide for serious health problems such as surgeries and catastrophic heath events. It was never intended to cover routine office visits, eyecare, dental care, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and complimentary healthcare.

4. The loss of jobs and lowering of wages has created a crisis in the healthcare system in this country. At the same time, employers have increasingly shifted the burden of healthcare costs to their employees. The end result is a very large segment of our society being without any health insurance and an even bigger segement underinsured. This threatens to literally bankrupt our healthcare system.

5. Knowone seems to be talking about the underlying problems that are affecting the health of the average U.S. citizen. When it comes to discussions about prevention, they always center around the importance of proper screening and testing procedures. How can you have a serious discussion about healthcare without addressing the increasing quantities of processed foods, sugary drinks, pharmeceutical drugs, and toxic chemicals used to treat our food?

6. The food industry is poised to introduce a whole new generation of chemical additives to our food and with the good graces of the FDA and USDA. These will be in the form of conditioners and stabalizers disigned to keep food longer and maintain consistency and texture. Many will NOT be required to be listed by their chemical name and some will even be allowed to use the term "NATURAL" in the list of ingredients.

Well, there's some food for thought eh?