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 4.

(First published on 4/27/2015. Think about how many of those who will lose Decent Medical Care turning to Questionable Advice if the REPUBLICAN PARTY destroys the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.)

As Dr. Oz is again assailed by the Medical Community for Promoting or Advocating Medicine not Based on the SCIENTIFIC METHOD, his Defenders are again crying Persecution.

Dr. Oz. ( Real Name Mehmet Cengiz Öz), has such an Extensive History of Supporting Improper, Unproven and Irrational forms of Medical Treatment, that just a short Trip to Google will give you all the Information you need to know about the Unscientific, and Often Bogus Claims he has Advocated For over the Airways, regarding Specific Products and Their Effectiveness.

However, let us look AT WHY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SCIENCE WRITERS etc, consider Dr. Oz., and others like Him, a Genuine Danger for Giving Improper and Unsupported Medical Advice about some of the Products and Treatments that have been Endorsed, Now and In the Past.

#1-  YOU EITHER FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES THAT ARE LAID OUT BY THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, OR NOT.  IT IS AN ALL OR NOTHING WAY OF TESTING AND EVALUATING ANY CLAIM MADE ABOUT A PRODUCT, TREATMENT OR LIFESTYLE CHOICE.  PROPER RESULTS THAT CAN BE REPLICATED, DUPLICATED AND EVALUATED THROUGH CONTROLLED TESTING AND STRICT LABORATORY PROCEDURES ARE NOT VALID IF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD IS USED JUST 10, 20, 50 OR EVEN 99% OF THE TIME.

#2-  PROPER EDUCATION AND TRAINING DOES NOT GIVE YOU A PASS TO OFFER ANY MEDICAL ADVICE, THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN AT FACE VALUE WITHOUT ANY CRITICISM ABOUT ITS EFFICACY. WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN THE PAST MUST STAND ON ITS OWN, AND DOES NOT NECESSARILY TRANSLATE INTO FUTURE SUCCESS.  JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUPPORT OF DIFFERENT PRODUCTS, METHODS AND PROCEDURES MUST EXIST INDEPENDENTLY OF PREVIOUS OPINIONS AND RESULTS.

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.