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I don't usually do this, but...
Apr. 24th, 2007 06:37 pm...this makes me very angry.
Look.
All questions of intelligent/ethical choices aside, I believe supremely in the right of at least having that choice in the first place.
For example: I feel very strongly that no one has the right to tell us what to do with our own bodies- whether I want to get piercings, tattoos, or other body mods; choose whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term; die with dignity when it's my time; or simply take vitamins with my morning OJ (without a doctor prescription!) --whatever-- the right to control our bodies should belong to *US*- the individuals who live in these bodies.
One may be pro-choice, another pro-life. One may a "better living through chemistry" proponent of modern allopathic medicine, and another may be a granola-crunching alterna-hippie living on wind power on a commune on the outskirts of Ithaca- I don't really care.
Just let each other BE. Let each person choose. And please remember that your rights end where my epidermis begins.
Right now, The FDA is trying to take away access to alternative modes of health maintenance, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, energy healing such as Reiki or Qi Gong, etc-- unless they are given or prescribed by an allopathic ("regular medical") doctor.
For millions of people, seeking out alternative health solutions is their way of controlling their own bodily health.
And seriously-- no matter how kooky or unscientific you think some of these "alternatives" are, I urge you to please consider that there is a larger issue at stake here, the issue of the individual's right to choose for themselves.
If this "Guidance" passes, in effect many people will suddenly lose their right to choose how to care for their own health, as they will be forced to seek out (and pay for) an allopathic doctor's referral to get the treatment they want- and that's if they're lucky enough to find an open-minded M.D. (who's approved by their HMO or PPO)
Additionally, I believe the economy will suffer as many health food stores, spas, and individual therapists who earn their livelihood helping people who have chosen to "go natural" are put out of business for "practicing medicine without a license". I think something like $28 billion dollars were spent last year on complementary and alternative products and services-- that's a significant chunk of change, and a significant amount of citizens making their livelihoods on the economics of pure choice. That could all get yanked away in an instant.
Because, I can tell you, as someone currently feeling the crushing weight of student loans-- who the heck has the time or cash to put themselves in debt to go to medical school when you're already living paycheck to paycheck as spa practitioner or Qi Gong master, or something?
I think it is ridiculous that the FDA wants me to have a prescription so I can take my vitamins in the morning, or that they would call my Reiki practitioner friends "criminal" for their healing touch- just because they are not a licensed M.D. And come on, there is a big difference between using aromatherapy to help you relax, and getting a prescription for Prozac. How can the FDA claim they are the same? This is just... insane.
I don't want to have to deal with an HMO to buy some vitamin C, and I'm sure many of you agree.
Please read the notice below, and, if you are moved by this issue, I respectfully ask you to add your voice to the growing Public Dissent by signing the petition. I did it this morning, and I usually never sign these kinda things.
Time is running out. The window for the public to send comments ends April 30th.
(just click on the link to tell the government what you think of this):
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185
Are there those of you on my Flist who will probably disagree with me? Why, yes! Am I being a little sensational here? Probably.
But I'm gonna have to pull the "my journal, my opinions" card, and ask you only to please think about who stands to make money if this thing gets passed. Because in my experience, if you follow the money trail, it usually leads right to the heart of the matter.
Tell the FDA (and their Pharmy Phriends) to keep their self-serving hands off our bodies!
With Love and Respect,
~Me
P.S.- The FDA, you'll recall, are the same people who brought you ant poison and called it "sweetener".
But of course, they only have the interests of the general public's health at heart.
P.P.S-- "Remember when the FDA put an indefinite delay on making Plan B available over the counter? Remember how they said its reasons for doing so were “scientific and completely legal”? Funny thing about that…
Lester Crawford, the ex-head of the FDA who put the brakes on Plan B, is invoking his 5th amendment rights if asked about his actions as head of the FDA. Why? Because he and his wife sold shares in companies that were regulated by the FDA while he was acting head. “Scientific and completely legal” = “Dude I made a s***load of cash”." 1.
-------------------
"FDA Seeks to Classify Herbal Therapies as "[Prescription] Medicine"
There is a crisis in health freedom. On April 30, 2007 the FDA will close the public comment period on a "Guidance" which will classify every alternative practice as medicine so that only licensed physicians can carry out the procedure AND vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc., will suddenly become "untested drugs" which will be forbidden.
Bad? Real Bad! But public outcry can stop this assault on your health and your freedom.
Spread the word! Tell everyone in your Circle of Influence, professionals, alternative practitioners, nutrient and herb companies, everyone! Let them know how important their participation is to make sure the FDA backs off from this repressive course.
Please share this link with them and urge them to take action: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185
Yours in health and freedom,
Rima E. Laibow, MD
Medical Director
Natural Solutions Foundation
www.HealthFreedomUSA.org"
Look.
All questions of intelligent/ethical choices aside, I believe supremely in the right of at least having that choice in the first place.
For example: I feel very strongly that no one has the right to tell us what to do with our own bodies- whether I want to get piercings, tattoos, or other body mods; choose whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term; die with dignity when it's my time; or simply take vitamins with my morning OJ (without a doctor prescription!) --whatever-- the right to control our bodies should belong to *US*- the individuals who live in these bodies.
One may be pro-choice, another pro-life. One may a "better living through chemistry" proponent of modern allopathic medicine, and another may be a granola-crunching alterna-hippie living on wind power on a commune on the outskirts of Ithaca- I don't really care.
Just let each other BE. Let each person choose. And please remember that your rights end where my epidermis begins.
Right now, The FDA is trying to take away access to alternative modes of health maintenance, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, energy healing such as Reiki or Qi Gong, etc-- unless they are given or prescribed by an allopathic ("regular medical") doctor.
For millions of people, seeking out alternative health solutions is their way of controlling their own bodily health.
And seriously-- no matter how kooky or unscientific you think some of these "alternatives" are, I urge you to please consider that there is a larger issue at stake here, the issue of the individual's right to choose for themselves.
If this "Guidance" passes, in effect many people will suddenly lose their right to choose how to care for their own health, as they will be forced to seek out (and pay for) an allopathic doctor's referral to get the treatment they want- and that's if they're lucky enough to find an open-minded M.D. (who's approved by their HMO or PPO)
Additionally, I believe the economy will suffer as many health food stores, spas, and individual therapists who earn their livelihood helping people who have chosen to "go natural" are put out of business for "practicing medicine without a license". I think something like $28 billion dollars were spent last year on complementary and alternative products and services-- that's a significant chunk of change, and a significant amount of citizens making their livelihoods on the economics of pure choice. That could all get yanked away in an instant.
Because, I can tell you, as someone currently feeling the crushing weight of student loans-- who the heck has the time or cash to put themselves in debt to go to medical school when you're already living paycheck to paycheck as spa practitioner or Qi Gong master, or something?
I think it is ridiculous that the FDA wants me to have a prescription so I can take my vitamins in the morning, or that they would call my Reiki practitioner friends "criminal" for their healing touch- just because they are not a licensed M.D. And come on, there is a big difference between using aromatherapy to help you relax, and getting a prescription for Prozac. How can the FDA claim they are the same? This is just... insane.
I don't want to have to deal with an HMO to buy some vitamin C, and I'm sure many of you agree.
Please read the notice below, and, if you are moved by this issue, I respectfully ask you to add your voice to the growing Public Dissent by signing the petition. I did it this morning, and I usually never sign these kinda things.
Time is running out. The window for the public to send comments ends April 30th.
(just click on the link to tell the government what you think of this):
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185
Are there those of you on my Flist who will probably disagree with me? Why, yes! Am I being a little sensational here? Probably.
But I'm gonna have to pull the "my journal, my opinions" card, and ask you only to please think about who stands to make money if this thing gets passed. Because in my experience, if you follow the money trail, it usually leads right to the heart of the matter.
Tell the FDA (and their Pharmy Phriends) to keep their self-serving hands off our bodies!
With Love and Respect,
~Me
P.S.- The FDA, you'll recall, are the same people who brought you ant poison and called it "sweetener".
But of course, they only have the interests of the general public's health at heart.
P.P.S-- "Remember when the FDA put an indefinite delay on making Plan B available over the counter? Remember how they said its reasons for doing so were “scientific and completely legal”? Funny thing about that…
Lester Crawford, the ex-head of the FDA who put the brakes on Plan B, is invoking his 5th amendment rights if asked about his actions as head of the FDA. Why? Because he and his wife sold shares in companies that were regulated by the FDA while he was acting head. “Scientific and completely legal” = “Dude I made a s***load of cash”." 1.
-------------------
"FDA Seeks to Classify Herbal Therapies as "[Prescription] Medicine"
There is a crisis in health freedom. On April 30, 2007 the FDA will close the public comment period on a "Guidance" which will classify every alternative practice as medicine so that only licensed physicians can carry out the procedure AND vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc., will suddenly become "untested drugs" which will be forbidden.
Bad? Real Bad! But public outcry can stop this assault on your health and your freedom.
Spread the word! Tell everyone in your Circle of Influence, professionals, alternative practitioners, nutrient and herb companies, everyone! Let them know how important their participation is to make sure the FDA backs off from this repressive course.
Please share this link with them and urge them to take action: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185
Yours in health and freedom,
Rima E. Laibow, MD
Medical Director
Natural Solutions Foundation
www.HealthFreedomUSA.org"
