frommycorner

Mental Health questionnaire

Last week we reported on a demonstration that took place in opposition to a new law requiring all children under 21 years of age to fill out a 7-page questionnaire about their social and emotional behavior when taken for an annual check up, and I have to tell you how much it bothered me.

What makes it more offensive is that this law was dictated especially for all children under Medicaid.  What the medical community fails to communicate to parents is that they have the right to refuse that test.

I have a problem with that because there is an inherent danger to children being tested for emotional problems and falling into erroneous categories that may jeopardize their future health and careers.

If the professionals who work with the child see the need for further testing or drugging, only then it should be considered but on a routine basis it has the potential of doing more harm in his adult life.

Don’t trust political promises

Every election period I get the same feeling of mistrust listening to politicians making promises  that are seldom kept.  Just listen how they all sound alike with the same rhetoric on poverty, education, health care, unemployment, etc.  No one has outline of how they are going to accomplish any of it – just that they are going to do it. 

Come to think of it, I’ve been voting for over 35 years and politicians always talk about eliminating poverty, reducing unemployment, improving the educational system and never mind doing something about health care!

It was in my early teens when I stopped believing anything politicians say.  I remember when Fidel Castro was accused of being Communist and he said, “This revolution is green, as green as our palm trees.”  About a year later, surprise!

When they are running for office they tell you what the public wants to hear.  Once they are elected, WHAM!  That’s why we must look at their record.  Looking at what they have done is the best way to predict what they might do.  Then, go light a candle and pray.

New dictionary word

(Thanks to the friend who emailed it to me.)  Electile Dysfunction: the inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.