WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. MORE HEALTH SCAMS- WATCH OUT FOR THE SIGNS OF BAD SCIENCE, AND FRAUD. PT 3.

Now, before I go on with pointing out the problems with MEDICAL PRACTICES THAT ARE NOT BASED ON THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER A COUPLE CRITICISMS PEOPLE RAISE WHEN THESE "DISCIPLINES," ARE ATTACKED FOR THEIR DUBIOUS METHODS.

*  PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE MEDICAL TREATMENT THAT THEY WANT WANT.

I Agree 100%, (Within Reason.)  If you want to Select Medical Treatment that has no Basis in Reality, go for it. HOWEVER;

You Shouldn't Expect The GOVERNMENT to Pay for it.  The Millions of Dollars spent a Year, Now and In the Past, by Government to Police the Medical Field and prevent the GENERAL PUBLIC from being Victimized by Charlatans and Quacks, should not be Undermined by giving Tax Money to Those who provide MEDICAL CARE AND TREATMENT BASED ON FANTASY, AND IRRATIONAL CONCLUSIONS THAT ARE NOT BASED IN LEGITIMATE RESEARCH AND TESTING.

*  I AM THE PARENT AND SHOULD DECIDE WHAT IS BEST FOR MY CHILDREN.

While any Individual Adult of a Capacity to Mentally and Intellectually Select Their own Life Choices should be left alone, Those who are Subject to, or under the care of Another, must not be allowed to become Subjected to Sham or Unproven Medical Practices.  Our CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BASICALLY REQUIRES ALL GUARDIANS AND CAREGIVERS TO BE HELD TO A MINIMUM STANDARD OF PROVIDING APPROPRIATE MEDICAL CARE.  CHIROPRACTIC, NATUROPATHIC AND HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT DO NOT MEET SUCH STANDARDS, AT LEAST IN TERMS OF BEING THE FIRST CHOICE OF PRIMARY CARE.

Now it is quite True that NONE OF THE THREE OPERATE OUTSIDE THE LAW, IF THE "TREATMENT" IS OPEN TO EXAMINATION, AND DOES NOT PROMISE WHAT CANNOT BE  DELIVERED.  IN FACT, THEY CAN BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT PROPER MEDICAL CARE, WITHOUT LEGAL SANCTIONS, AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT CANCEL OUT, OR INTERFERE WITH REGULAR MEDICAL TREATMENT.

WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. HUMILIATION TELEVISION; IT DOESN'T GET ANY LOWER THAN THIS: "BREAD AND CIRCUSES."

"BREAD AND CIRCUSES", is a Phrase used to Describe the Degeneration of Society, where the Pursuit of Intellectual Ideals and Civil Discourse disappears from Society, Replaced by the Pursuit of Mindless Pleasure, and the Basic Needs required for Survival being met to the Individuals Satisfaction. 

The Classic Example is the Fall of the Roman Empire.  After Extending its Borders to Encompass much of the Known World, Emperors began holding to Power by providing Extravagant Entertainment to Citizens of the Empire, and meeting the Basic Survival Needs of Food and Shelter.

Politicians came to Realize that the Average Roman Citizen cared little for anything else but a Full Stomach, and Having Their Desire for Excitement, Depravity, and Blood Lust met on a regular Basis. Control the Mob with "BREAD AND CIRCUSES", and they will forever Sing your Praises.  It is considered one of the Reasons why such Inhuman Monsters like Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero were able to Rule for any Length of Time.

Now, I am not saying we are heading into such a Situation in the U.S., and that very soon Modern Day Gladiators, Charioteers, and Condemned Criminals will once again be put on Display to Satisfy the Baser Desires of the Public at Large.

However, there are some Valid Comparisons Between Society Today, and the Roman Empire of Two Thousand Years ago.  It is not the Type of Entertainment we should be looking at, but what is given up Morally, Intellectually, and Politically if we choose to make Humiliation, Depravity, Irrational Conduct, and the Total Disregard for Consequences a LIFESTYLE CHOICE THAT IS ADMIRED AND REWARDED FINANCIALLY, CIVILLY, AND POLITICALLY.  TODAY, WE MAY CALL SUCH THINGS EXAMPLES OF;  REALITY TELEVISION, TALK SHOWS, COURTROOM DRAMAS, POLITICAL ROUND TABLES, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION GEARED TO MASS ENTERTAINMENT.

What is even more Absurd, is the PSEUDO- INTELLECTUALS WHO HOST MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHO TRY TO HIDE THE TRUE MOTIVATIONS FOR PRODUCING SUCH MATERIAL, WITH A PRETENSE OF CARING, HEALING, AND PROTECTING THE "VICTIMS."

LOOK FOR PART 13.

WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. INSURANCE- ONE OF LIFES UNGLAMOROUS NECESSITIES. PT 2.

So What did you decide?  Some People think the Answers are Obvious, and are Shocked when they find out They're wrong.

This Leads to the First Rule to Always keep in Mind When Choosing any Form of Insurance, and Filing an Application:

AN INSURANCE POLICY IS, AT ITS HEART, A CONTRACT, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL THE PENALTIES AND GUARANTEES OF ANY CIVIL AGREEMENT.

In Our First example, we had a man apply for and receive a Life Insurance Policy.  However, he Lied about being a Smoker to Reduce his Premiums.  Some Time later he is killed in an Accident, where his Smoking was not considered to a Contributing Factor in his Death.  The Insurer refused to Pay Out the Death Benefit, and the Family Sued.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

THE COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY. WHY?  THE MANNER OF DEATH WAS IMMATERIAL BECAUSE BY LYING AND DECEIVING THE INSURANCE COMPANY, THE INSURED OBTAINED THE POLICY UNDER FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION.  THIS VOIDED THE CONTRACT, AND NO PAYOUT WAS AUTHORIZED.

IF the Mistake had been Minor, perhaps incorrect address or phone number, the Decision may have been different.  But the Health and Lifestyle of the Applicant is of Primary Concern to the Insurance Company.  APPROVAL AND DENIAL OF COVERAGE, AS WELL AS COST, RELY ON HONEST INFORMATION BY THE APPLICANT.

We'll look at the Second Example in the next Segment.

WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. GOING ON A DIET? YOU CAN LOSE MORE THAN JUST WEIGHT. PT 9.

HAVE YOU EVER COME ACROSS STATEMENTS LIKE THIS, USUALLY AT THE VERY END OF AN ADVERTISEMENT IN VERY SMALL PRINT.

"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."

I'm sure many of you have seen this on Multiple Occasions, either on T.V. or in Print Advertisements. Usually, it is stuck at the very end of the Ad.                                                                                                              

It is quite common, Almost Universal, when you see an Ad for any kind of Diet Supplement.  WHY IS IT THERE?

-  Because, any Statement or Claim made has not been Evaluated by the FDA.  It is the Manufacturers Responsibility to Provide Evidence for anything it says the Product will do for someone using it.

-  ,,,"not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."  Any Substance that can do these things is CLASSIFIED AS A DRUG.  This is because of the Clinical Affects that it has on the Body.

Since any Claims made regarding the Supplement are Subject to Legal Action if they are not True, Manufacturers use QUALIFYING WORDS TO GET AROUND THIS OBSTACLE.  IF WORDS SUCH AS "MAY", "COULD", "SUPPORT", "BOOST" etc., OR OTHERS LIKE THEM ARE USED, IT IS A SIGN THAT THE MANUFACTURER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BACK UP THEIR CLAIMS WITH HARD EVIDENCE THAT CAN BE STUDIED OR VERIFIED.

One more thing you should be aware of:  JUST BECAUSE A SUBSTANCE HAS BEEN LABELED SAFE FOR GENERAL USE, DOES NOT INDICATE ITS USEFULNESS TO THE CONSUMER, IN ACCOMPLISHING WHAT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS IT WILL.  THESE ARE SEPARATE ISSUES.

You should also be aware of PHRASES OR TERMS THAT ARE MISLEADING OR MEANINGLESS, IN EVALUATING THE WORTH OF A SUPPLEMENT.

Examples Include - "BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM", "REVITALIZES THE BLOOD", "RIDS THE BODY OF TOXINS."  "HELPS YOUR BODY HEAL ITSELF."  

These will be discussed in a Future Post.