On a day when many Iowa voters seem poised to make Ron Paul the GOP's 2012 frontrunner, Paul is in the news for controversially defending his belief that AIDS patients be denied insurance coverage:
Back in 1987, Ron Paul wrote a book called Freedom Under Siege. In it he wrote “The individual suffering from AIDS certainly is a victim – frequently a victim of his own lifestyle – but this same individual victimizes innocent citizens by forcing them to pay for his care.”
Paul was asked about this by FOX News’ Chris Wallace, and Paul answered “I don’t know how you can change science. I mean sexually transmitted diseases are caused by sexual activity. And when it’s promiscuous, it spreads diseases. … In a free society people do dumb things, but it isn’t to be placed as a burden on other people, innocent people. Why should they have to pay for the consequences?”
Ron Paul continues to prove his idiocy whenever he tries to speak out about anything other than monetary policy.
As a former health care practioner, Paul should know better. This kind of ignorance is scary coming from a doctor. Scarier still coming from a Presidential candidate.
First of all, not all HIV sufferers got it from either sexual activity or consensual sexual activity, so the entire premise of his argument -- that since AIDS patients are more or less responsible for contracting the disease they don't deserve insurance subsidies -- is flawed.
Moreover, most disease results from unfortunate choices, particularly unfortunate nutrition and lifestyle choices. Should people suffering from diabetes, heart disease, colds, flus, exhaustian, heart attacks, strokes, various cancers, or the other litany of diseases caused by being overweight, having a poor diet, or unhealthy working hours and lifestyle also be denied care?
By Ron Paul's reasoning yes. So, too, would Paul consign the innocent child who contracts HIV from a blood transfusion to death.
It is a national embarrassment that Ron Paul continues to be a viable candidate for any office, let alone the Presidency.
Ron Paul's stupidity on AIDS and disease should prompt a review of his medical license, as well as rejection of his present and future political ambitions.
Comments