SICKO

A young lady whom I esteem above all others was at a recent outing of the Maryland chapter of The Idle Dandies. The friends of her friend were talking about Michael Moore's latest documentary ( mockumentary?) Sicko. One of these people had recently returned from Europe, and she was praising the European system, or at least the system of the country she had visited, the name of which is not available now. She said that it was great that when a woman has a baby, she has time off, there are nurses who can coach her on breast-feeding, and there are people who come by to do any chores she may require for a certain period of time. Now, my esteemed young lady, being of a Conservative mind, thought it was nonsense that the government provide such services. Family members of the extended family should pull together and assist. When asked my opinion, I had to wonder if the government or the society had actually sat down and tried to analyze the costs. What is the cost of getting off to a good start in child rearing versus a bad start? Since there are instance of post-partem depression, might it not be advisable to have visits by trained people who might be able to spot it? If families are important, perhaps a great deal of money should be allotted to ensure the basis of new families be as safe and healthy and stress-free as possible.

As far as extended family members helping, what if they are useless dolts? ( I know that's hard to imagine.) What are the costs of families gone wrong? What are the costs if new mothers do not have proper information about nutrition? If they do not breast feed, what are the best alternatives? Furthermore, a little start of good diet might be in order...for both baby and mother. Governments can and sometimes do provide good and necessary services. We are only opposed to those services which are unnecessary for the good of the people. I personally am opposed to funding military run by Politicians and Generals that cannot fight. The soldiers fight and fight well. Their bosses are Suits. Desk Jobbers. Organization Men. The Politicians have no Policy and create Phoney War. The Generals have no idea how to win a fight without Massive Weaponry...and that's why Johnny not only cannot read, but Johnny is getting his butt kicked by every kid at school! 1 % of the Military Budget to New Families! We'd have better families. We'd still get our butts kicked!