The July 31 Californian in their "Health" column had the article "Billions spent on alternative care" as if that were a bad thing. That was also all over Internet today. Why shouldn't we take responsibility for our health, and only go to the doctor if what we do doesn't work? (I am not referring to stroke or heart attacks which are true emergencies and need immediate response.)

Doctors don't have all the answers, and most of them acknowledge that. As for the ones who think only MDs know anything about sickness and wellness, they should be reminded that their profession for almost 100 years ignored Semmelweis theory of the connection between dissecting cadavers and fatal childbirth fever, and Louis Pasteur's germ theory. And if back surgery for back pain only works half the time, why not try  a combination of physical therapy, massage, accupuncture and chiropractic treatment first, depending on the individual's preference?

This freedom to choose is something I fear we'll lose if health care is nationalized.