"Unless we put medical freedom into the constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize itself into an undercover dictatorship. To restrict the art of healing to one class of men and deny equal privileges to others will constitute the Bastille of medical science. All such laws are un-American and despotic." Benjamin Rush, M.D.-Revolutionary War hero, Signer of The Declaration of Independence

These words warned us of the consequences when health care is monopolized by any one group. The author recognized the potential for the misuse of the power of health care and that when power becomes more important than service, it is the people that suffer.

The new Americans had risked everything to escape the tyranny of King George. They had put their lives on the line because they believed in their cause. They knew what was right and they refused to be taken advantage of by an authority into which they had no input and that did not represent their best interests. They put a stop to unfair taxation by the government.

The very country that Benjamin Rush and his peers helped to form has become an agent of what they fought so hard to rid themselves. It has helped put into place the un-American and despotic laws that Rush warned of. It has helped medicine become an invincible fortress for corporate greed to the great detriment of it's citizens. The arrogance that comes with absolute power is apparent in how federal entities have prosecuted and persecuted those outside the medical paradigm that have dared to break the rules. Those that are "legitimate" enough to be recognized as professionals but are not in the medical paradigm are tolerated, but do not have the same standing as MD's.

Under the guise of protecting the consumer, the structure is in place to enforce a medical dictatorship. The FDA has declared law that says that the only things that can be called cures are drugs and medical procedures. FDA policies become law without going through the legislative process-the public has no say in the matter.

The FTC can order anyone offering a health related product or service to stop what they are doing, and levy huge fines to bankrupt any business. They determine if your evidence for your successes are legitimate or merely anecdotal. Not one person has to be injured in order for there to be an investigation. If one makes what they consider medical claims, three constitutional rights are denied or restricted: free speech, the right to a jury trial, and the presumption of innocence before proven guilty.

Not surprisingly, medical doctors performing medical procedures, no matter how harmful, are overlooked by the FTC. Unproven and unsubstantiated medicine is spared from prosecution. This is protecting the public?

In many ways, Medicare sets the standard for the insurance industry. Most companies take their cues from this federal agency in determining which procedures and products they will pay for. As a doctor of chiropractic, the only procedure in my office Medicare pays for is what they call the spinal manipulation. Fees for consultations, exams, orthopedic and neurological testing, chiropractic testing, x-rays, physiotherapy, physical therapy, nutritional consults, nutritional products, pillows, orthotic insoles, braces, adjusting the arms and legs or whatever else I choose to do that is within the scope of my professional practice is left up to the patient to pay. And the amount they pay for the one covered service is limited to well below the regular fee. A senior citizen with limited financial resources is also dictated a limited health care service as well. From strictly a business perspective, Medicare coverage is not an advantage for the office. Many of those covered cannot afford what they need. This means many services are provided that are not billed to the patient.

Laws, government agency policies, corrupt politicians and more all work together to form the medical tyranny that is forced on us today. It took revolutionaries to break the British tyranny of the seventeen hundreds. Everyday farmers, businessmen and tradesmen all left their jobs and picked up arms to forge a new future. It will take modern revolutionaries to break the modern tyranny. It has to come from a grass-roots level. It has to come regardless of what the government tells you to think. Rather than guns, people have to take up personal responsibility and think for themselves.

The truth is what prompted Benjamin Rush and others like him to do what he did. The truth prompts us today. Do what you know is right. Medicine has it's place, but it does not help you stay healthy. It is up to you to find what does improve your health and make it your priority. When you understand what is at stake, you will have no problem finding the resources to make it happen. It will cost you time and money out of your pocket, just like it cost the revolutionaries in the 1700?s. The difference now is that during the formation of our country, the decision to create change put lives at risk and ended lives on both sides. Today, if you choose revolution, you are saving your life. To do nothing is where the danger lies.