Do we need more doctors and dentists or more politicians?
By speakeasy
@speakeasy (4171)
United States
August 20, 2012 12:01pm CST
Maybe I am wrong about this; but, right now there are two people running for office where I live that I would never support for public office simply because of their occupations.
We have a family practice doctor and a dentist who are running for public office (state senate and US house of representatives). These are not "part-time" jobs that can be done in a few evenings or an occassional day time meeting; these are jobs that will take them away from their patients for the majority of the year.
Lack of family practitioners has been a major problem across the US and even dentists are a shortage in many areas.
How medical professionals can turn their backs on their patients to become a politicians when we have an overabundance of politicians is beyond me.
But, maybe I am overreacting. If these "doctors" have so little care and concern about the wellbeing of their patients, they are probably not very good doctors in the first place. Maybe we are better off with them NOT having patients.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@camomile07 (1420)
• Germany
21 Aug 12
In my opinion, there are already too many politicians but not enough doctores and dentists in all around. I suppose, it's easier to earn a lot of money as a politician and there are more professional risks envolved being a medicin. The number of politicians should be reduced and not allow to everyone to get envolved in this kind of job. They also earn more than they should.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
21 Aug 12
Two years at the federal level (House of Represntatives and up) and they have qualified for a pension for the rest of their liives.
The base salary is not that bad since they have to maintain TWO households (one in their home state and one in DC). Living expenses and travel costs take up a lot of their salary. But, getting "retirement" after just 2 years on the job!
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
22 Aug 12
In my opinion, there are already too many politicians but not enough doctores and dentists in all around Duh?
so who do you wish to replace these 'politicians' with? Not enough DRS and Dentists, let THEM go to Washington and fix that.
@deazil (4730)
• United States
20 Aug 12
Is there more money in politics? If there is then that's your answer. I believe that there are very few doctors that care about their patients. They care more about what's in their wallets. Doctors have been glorified for so long that it's gone to their heads. And they know people will always need them. It's true that some people get sick to the point where they need medical care. I stay away from medical doctors. They could care less about us. And your scenario is just another proof of this. Of course there are few politicians who care about us either. Again, like the doctors, their main concern is their bank account. So it just makes sense that a person who could care less about his patients would go into a field where he will care less about the people who elected him and focus his attention on his wealth.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
21 Aug 12
And, that's why I added at the bottom, that even though there is a shortage of people willing to be doctors and dentists; maybe, we are better off without these two.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
20 Aug 12
Well, would you rather have doctors and dentist as your politicians or lawyers and other kinds of thieves?
all the best urban
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
21 Aug 12
I would rather get farmers, carpenters, plumbers, and mechanics as politicians than all the rest.
We DO have a shortage of doctors and dentists - there is NO shortage of lawyers (unfortuanately).
@urbandekay (18278)
•
21 Aug 12
"I would rather get farmers, carpenters, plumbers, and mechanics as politicians than all the rest. "
Me too
all the best urban
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
21 Aug 12
Well the whole reason we have a shortage of doctors and dentists, is because of bad federal policy.
The reason we have horrible federal policy is because we keep electing career politicians that have never worked a single day in their life, and have no idea how the "real world" works.
We need more people who are honest, hardworking, been there done that, type people in the government. And fewer Obama type politicians who have lived their entire lives in politics off the money from other people who work.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 Aug 12
Wow, you complain about shady theiven politicians, who then to replace them? You think they're neglecting their patients? How better to help them by going to Washington D.C. and cleaning things up? Want to know why there is a shortage of doctors and dentists? Ask your lawyer and politicians. It is mostly their fault, and that may be why your doctor or dentist feels the need to go stop them.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
22 Aug 12
They will not be helping their patients when they are not even in the area to take care of them and the patient has to TRY to find a new doctor that is actually ACCEPTING new patients. That is not an easy task anymore.
The reason we have a shortage of doctors and dentists is that our medical colleges are FULL and no new medical colleges have been opened in 2 DECADES. The federal government does not control starting or expanding colleges. They do limit the number of doctors that we can import from other countries; but, would you really be comfortable with a doctor from a third world country? Many of them do excellent jobs; but, the communication gap can cause problems if American English is not their first language.
What we really need to send to DC is honest hardworking people; but, when we do they have serious problems getting anything done unless they conform to thecurrent political situation.
In my area we are at least trying - one of our candidates is a businessman who started one radio station and built it up to 8 radio stations; another is a real estate agent; and a third is a rancher. All hardworking non-lawyers (career politicians). But, they have built their businesses up to the point where they can take the time off AND no one will lose a job (office maqnagers, nurses , etc) or lose someone they depend on for maintaining their health and well being.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
22 Aug 12
Refer to the above response as to government involvment in regulation of education and medicine.
Next, I am thouroughly amazed at the gall of one person telling other people what they can and cannot do with their life. WOW
Next I'll hear, 'there oughta be a law or something' from you.
What we really need to send to DC is honest hardworking people; but, when we do they have serious problems getting anything done unless they conform to the current political situation.
And yet it sounds like you want to keep honest, hardworking people from going to Washington to do just that, all because you will be inconvenienced? There are very few doctors who are in private practice, the worst that will happen in most cases is that the other doctors will have a higher case load. And besides, this is America, not yet fully socialist state. People are free to make career choices.
