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I consider a couple of problems in America extremely hard to solve. One is our health care system, the other is the commercialization of college sports. The problems with both are complex and intractable. Both have too many special interest groups and too much money at stake. However they both do a disservice to the public which they are trying to please.
In health care both doctors and patients have lost much of their decision making power in treatment and that power has now been given to insurers and administrators who are too far removed from problems to make the best decisions. And the privatization of prescription drugs has given the pharmaceutical companies the power to promote and brand their drugs which drives costs higher for consumers. Consumers then request drugs which may or may not be the best fit for them. Malpractice insurance and frivolous lawsuits are also a big problem.
The big money in professional sports has corrupted the college sports system, particularly football and basketball players. Colleges gain the most exposure and thus the most donations from alumni by having great sports teams. Coaches are generally rewarded for the performance athletically, not for their students academic performance. To the student athlete, the lure of a big pro sports contract is too great. They have a hard time passing up a chance at a professional sports career and so education takes a back seat to their athletics.
These are hard problems to solve, I don't have answers. Someone solve these problems and I'll give them $1.
I consider a couple of problems in America extremely hard to solve. One is our health care system, the other is the commercialization of college sports. The problems with both are complex and intractable. Both have too many special interest groups and too much money at stake. However they both do a disservice to the public which they are trying to please.
In health care both doctors and patients have lost much of their decision making power in treatment and that power has now been given to insurers and administrators who are too far removed from problems to make the best decisions. And the privatization of prescription drugs has given the pharmaceutical companies the power to promote and brand their drugs which drives costs higher for consumers. Consumers then request drugs which may or may not be the best fit for them. Malpractice insurance and frivolous lawsuits are also a big problem.
The big money in professional sports has corrupted the college sports system, particularly football and basketball players. Colleges gain the most exposure and thus the most donations from alumni by having great sports teams. Coaches are generally rewarded for the performance athletically, not for their students academic performance. To the student athlete, the lure of a big pro sports contract is too great. They have a hard time passing up a chance at a professional sports career and so education takes a back seat to their athletics.
These are hard problems to solve, I don't have answers. Someone solve these problems and I'll give them $1.
posted by Hubert at 10/06/2004 10:10:00 PM
2 Comments: Post a Comment
Yo HubT I didn't realize you were such the social commentator! Hope everything is going well for you. If you're ever in NYC give me a ring. Rick Roe.
Well I always considered myself an environmentalist, but I didn't really consider myself really an activist until Bush came into office and proceeded to piss me off in every possible way.