Problems Self Inflicted

I am writing regarding recent letters & articles on your site & in the news.
Regarding JB's article on alcoholics although I somewhat agree with him if we took that approach we might as well shut down our health care system. Almost every problem we have is self inflicted in one way or another, injuries at work & home, caused by preventable accidents of which most are. High blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity etc. are related to poor eating habits. I'm sure you can see where I'm going.

One of the great things about our country is that be it right or wrong we can make these poor decisions which ALL of us do in one way or another and still receive care etc. when we get in trouble because of them. In regards to Darren I understand completely where he is coming from and it is a terrible situation in a "free country with a universal Medicare system" that people can just jump ahead because of who they are.

Further to that over a year ago I had an injury and was put on the waiting list to see a specialist & on another waiting list for my operation. I was actually told that had my injury been covered by workers compensation I would have seen the specialist almost immediately not in 4 months and I would have had my operation in approximately 1 1/2 to 2 months instead of 5 months. It is now 15 months later & I am still working at recovering due to loss of strength etc. from the long wait. Oh to have the right name, job or whatever to get in the fast lane. To tell the truth our system is very unfair to the average individual but we do have one we just have to clean it up.

In regards to Jessica I agree 100% this scenario is as bad as Premier Cambell keeping his job. Every criminal should claim stress. I'm sure a street person committing a robbery could claim stress probably a lot more than poor Svend. Why can't people today stand up & take responsibility for their actions. It seems everyone is trying to hide behind their past, childhood or something instead of admitting they did it and taking responsibility.

Our world would be a much better place if people learned responsibility & to respect other peoples rights, belongings etc.. The majority of us need to grow up. Just drive between Kelowna & Vernon, the speed limit is non existent. Yet if you ask 90% of these people they would give you some excuse for speeding or even say they don't. The speed limit is the one posted on signs all the way not 5, 10 or even 20 Km's more. Those speeds are breaking the law & illegal. Whether we like it or not a speeder is a criminal and an accident waiting to happen.

E.W.