Public Health Should Be a Priority for Every Government in the World

If any of the governments of the world were as smart as they considered themselves to be, they would make health-care for every citizen their first priority. You'll notice that every politician, every sports figure and every celebrity in even the most poverty-stricken nations have every health-care need well looked after. The cost is covered by the government.

Meanwhile, in those same countries, ordinary citizens are dying of illnesses which could be prevented or cured by medicines which may cost only a few dollars, and sometimes, even less. The politicians who create and implement these mean-spirited policies are not only short-sighted, they are just plain dim-witted and here's why:

* The government in power loses moral authority. The policies are not fair and the people know it. One life is not more valuable than others. Citizens resent the fact that the leader gets the optimum treatment for a stomach ache, while their wives, aunts, or sisters may die in childbirth for lack of proper care and sterile facilities.

* Citizens without health care have shorter life spans. They contribute less labor, pay fewer taxes and are unable to contribute to a healthy national economy for as long as they could otherwise do.

* Even during the working years, the people will be not be as healthy. Without proper health care, they will need more and longer periods of absence from their jobs, and illnesses which would be minor with medical care, will often escalate and become major and even fatal ailments.

* When people are not feeling well, they grumble and complain. The discontent spreads, to family members, to neighbors, to the community and farther afield. A resentful populace is a danger to any party in power.

* With modern communications, such as TV and the Internet, conditions in other parts of the world are common knowledge. The most talented citizens, those who could contribute most to the economy, will opt to immigrate to countries where they and their families are guaranteed better health care.

* Those who are forced to remain, will be unhappy and resent anyone or anything connected with the unjust government. They will be the first to start or join in a rebellion. Loyalty to the leaders or system in power will be non-existent.

* If the system happens to be a democracy, another danger may present itself. If a candidate emerges who has a gracious manner and promises universal health care for every citizen, he may get elected, even though his other policies may be ill-advised and his motives less than honorable.

Politicians who which are moral, just, and truly dedicated to human rights will see to it that every citizen has the same level of health care, as they themselves, the most talented sports figures and the most famous performing artists in the country do. For a government to mandate anything less is just plain stupid.