Remember this?

"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned-this is the sum of good government."
~Thomas Jefferson 1801- who has just asked God to transfer his spirit to Mars
thanks to 'cat for the reminder

Atlas is shrugging

I don't normally get political, but I am so weary of the government fighting over when and how deeply they get to dip their fingers into my pocket. One party wants to literally "take" money away from me and give it someone else because it's my "patriotic duty" to do so (quoting Joe Biden). The other party wants to take my hard earned money that I've worked damned hard for to buy up all the bad loans that homeowners can no longer afford.

Well, to hell with the both of you. I have lived responsibly, and this means I didn't sign on to a home loan that I had no ability (or intention) to pay back. I made sure to get a good education that would allow me the freedom to make good career choices. I have medical insurance and pay bigger premiums so illegal aliens and the poor can have free health care.

So, Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain, just who the fuck am I working for? My own future or your financial whims? Where does personal responsibility enter into your world view? I just went up and checked my passport, and yes, it does say American. Not Russian.

I feel like Dagny Taggart in Atlas Shrugged, which should be required reading for every American citizen, lest they forget this country's original foundations. Like Dagny, I'm clawing my way through the muck in order to keep my head above water. But the damned government is making this effort more difficult each year as congress passes pork bills faster than bunnies procreate.

At what point do I shrug under the weight? At what point do I say no to your stealing nearly 60% of my income? At what point do I give myself permission to discontinue working for you and instead begin working for myself?

Lastly, just who are the real terrorists? The ones who hide in caves or the ones who smile and hand out balloons while reaching into my bank account? At least Al Queda is honest about their intent to destroy me by bleeding me dry.

To protest this brand of terrorism, I just bought three "Who Is John Galt?" bumper stickers. One for each of our cars. Yes. We have three cars. So fucking sue me. We earned those cars and enjoy driving every one of them. I'll continue to do so until you force me to sell them so my family can eat. In the meantime, Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain, pick up a copy of Atlas Shrugged so you can prepare yourself for the revolt that's sure to happen. And may all Reiki practitioners send their energy to our leaders. They need help.

Response

I get comments on my blog. Since there was so much to address with this particular one, I decided to turn it into a separate post.

“This post should be titled, "Attack of the Straw Men."
No, I prefer it the way as is. What I don’t think the world needs more of is condescending platitudes.

“…you're mixing apples and elephants. Hypnotherapy, guided visualization and biofeedback (essentially relaxation therapy) are qualitatively different from Reiki, acupuncture and chiropractic (magical thinking in lieu of any plausible scientific basis.) Lumping them all together is a "Trojan Horse" strategy, per Orac, via Dr. RW (see comments section from this post for the full quote)”
Not sure who put Dr. RW in charge of all convening opinions, but according to Panda and others, this is an all or none proposition. It’s either science based medicine or it’s hooey – there is no in between. Now I’m being told that some alternatives are now suddenly deemed “okay” by the medical community – going so far as to question why they were even called “alternative” in the first place? I don’t believe this for a minute. Acceptance from the medical community comes in degrees, and it’s based solely on the fact that some methods are easier to swallow than others.

You’re now giving Biofeedback its due? Why? It’s mind/body medicine, after all.

Biofeedback as taken from the Mayo Clinic:
Biofeedback is a type of complementary and alternative medicine called mind-body therapy. It's designed to enable you — in mind-over-matter fashion — to use your thoughts and will to control your body. Biofeedback is based on the idea, confirmed by scientific studies, that people have the innate potential to influence with their minds many of the automatic, involuntary functions of their bodies.

Guided Imagery (visualization), as defined by Web MD:
Guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts and suggestions that guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state. You can use an instructor, tapes, or scripts to help you through this process. Guided imagery is based on the concept that your body and mind are connected. Using all of your senses, your body seems to respond as though what you are imagining is real.

Hypnotherapy as defined by University of Maryland Medical Center:
Hypnotherapists typically use exercises that bring about deep relaxation and an altered state of consciousness, also known as a trance. Many people routinely experience a trance-like state while they are watching television or sitting at a red light. A person in a trance or deeply focused state is unusually responsive to an idea or image, but this does not mean that a hypnotist can control his or her mind and free will. On the contrary, hypnosis can actually teach people how to master their own states of awareness. By doing so they can affect their own bodily functions and psychological responses.

This is mind/body medicine, folks, alternative medicine. And this is okay with you? I find the irony staggering. There is no more “science” to these alternative healing methods than there is with acupuncture, reiki, and chiropractics. The only way to determine the level of healing is asking the patient how he feels. By all admissions, this isn’t acceptable.

I’m confused as to how guided imagery can be easier to accept than Reiki, acupuncture, or chiro. At least with chiropractics, you have the benefit of x-rays. It’s pretty easy to see if a disk or hip is back in place after the course of treatment.

The truth of the matter is that the fraction of docs who don’t believe alternatives have any place in medicine have never done the research. They go to the sites and literature that only support their bias. How can I make such an inflammatory statement? Because of the many docs I researched who do use integrative medicine in their practices. I’ve been told time and time again that the literature is out there. It’s just that the docs aren’t listening. Or they’re being selective.

A key issue is that when looked at scientifically, the data you speak of for CAM are far from compelling.
Then why and how is it that biofeedback, hypnotherapy, and guided imagery get a pass, according to Orac and Dr. RW. They’re alternative medicine, no matter how one tries to justify it. You simply cannot rewrite the rules to fit your needs, and that’s exactly what it sounds like you’re doing.

The "respectability" of those promulgating it is irrelevant.
Are you kidding me? First I’m told that “some” alternatives are okay. Now you’re telling me that the opinions from respected and renowned docs who utilize integrative medicine in their practices are irrelevant. Why are their opinions irrelevant? They earned their reputations because they were recognized as being superior at what they do. This appears to be a case of, “I don’t like what I’m hearing on this particular issue, so I’m going to dismiss it, regardless of who said it. But, boyo, his opinions on heart valve surgery is bang on.” This is talking out both sides of your mouth.

Basically this comes down the fact that many docs will never see eye to eye on the integrative issue. The methods of dismissal are akin to politics – if one talks it up or down enough, it becomes real “because I say so.” That’s not reality, and thankfully, there are many, many docs who disagree with you because they’ve had success with alternatives and use any number of those methods in their practices - including Reiki, acupuncture, and stuff I've never even heard of. The face of medicine is changing to include other forms of healing.

As I've said a million times, I would never proscribe anyone turning their backs on their docs. But I don't believe that docs know everything there is about how the mind and body integrate in healing. Some things are, indeed, seemingly magical because there's no science that can back it up. But that doesn't make it irrelevant. It makes it compelling.