Roderick Long has peaked my interested about Aaron Russo, the Libertarian candidate. Is he a credible? I have heard some claim that he could be tarred with the"nut factor." Does Professor Long, the anarchist, intend to vote for him?

Wili W?chendon - 2/20/2004

People should indeed take responsibility for their own health. What is wrong with that statement is that most 'alternative medicine' is quack horseshit. "Alternative medicine is critical to a person’s health because it builds your immune system" - this is the kind of comment that would send any scientifically literate person into fits of laughter. He doesn't go into specifics, but it's pretty obvious he doesn't know what the fsck he's talking about.

Regardless, what I want to know is why a Libertarian candidate is making turning America into 'the alternative medicine oasis of the world' a significant part of his campaign. Since he's presumably not planning to subsidise it, adding ayurvedic treatments to Medicare, or whatever, why should his personal interest in such things even be a part of his platform? More suited to the yogic flyers of the Natural Law party, surely, and certainly doing nothing for the credibility of the LP.

As for Szasz, he made some valid criticisms, but went waaaaay too far. I'm pretty much with Todd Seavey: http://healthfactsandfears.com/em/libertarians/part2.html

Not sure what that has to do with the blatant nuttiness of that quote.

Keith Halderman - 2/20/2004

Just exactly what is wrong with that statement. You must be a doctor or related to one because those are the people who benefit when others do not take responsibility for their own health. And, Russo's quote is especially relevant at a time when the federal government is trying to regulate, in effect destroy, the vitamin industry. I suggest you read Szazs on the rise of the theraputic state.

Wili W?chendon - 2/19/2004

Well, this quote, "Alternative medicine is critical to a person’s health because it builds your immune system. Your immune system is what prevents you from getting sick. It is therefore each individual's responsibility to make sure their immune system is working properly…doctors don’t prevent you from getting sick. America should become the alternative medicine oasis of the world.", puts him down as a nut in my book.

Is this guy really the frontrunner? I thought it was Gary Nolan.