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Although I agree with the fact that population is adversely affecting the planet, I think that the guest is somewhat missing the point.  As Al Gore said on his recent visit, education, particularly of girls and women, is a very effective method of birth control.  The more educated a society, the lower the birth rate.  That includes impoverished girls here at home- when girls see a future for themselves other than getting pregnant at 16, we will see a lowering of the birth rate amoung teens.  Likewise, education in poorer nations means that families don't have  so many kids as a form of life insurance for old age.

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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Oh, that scary word "rationing."  OOOOH!  We already have two forms of rationing:  if you have healthcare through an HMO, then you need to go through your primary care "gatekeeper" in order to see a specialist.  You can't have an expensive "me too"drug if a generic works just as well. 

The second form of rationing is less benign: if you are unemployed, or have a low-wage job, you don't get any health care at all.  So, if you have a completely controlable condition, such as high blood pressure, or you get cancer, you can die.  Why is this form of rationing considered less scary and terrible than the first form, which is the sort of "rationing" that would likely take place with health reform?

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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