re: A great article about why America blows...

didn't get past "not having a single payer healthcare plan" as being a problem

knew it would be horseshite

quote:

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big pharma incents docs to write prescriptions

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I don't agree with most of the essay. But I think he's spot on with this prescription stuff.

I've lived in a few different spots, and traveled pretty extensively... I've never seen people eat prescription drugs like Americans. Whether or not docs are being incentivized, I don't know. It certainly feels like it. Just about every Hollywood death revolves around pill collections that could make junkies blush. And these people are thrust out into the public limelight as our heroes.

As for regular folk, how many people are prescribed to Ritalin and Xanax, with a dose of Ambien at bed time? My father goes to AA meetings, and tells me that a hefty handful of his compatriots are on similar cocktail, some kind of adult ADHD and social anxiety combination. Whatever the excuse to make getting bent a shameless exercise, I suppose.

What's equally bizarre is that in America recreational drug use carries such stiff penalties (though weed is changing rapidly).