A modest proposal

[Guest guest]

To the usual offenders:

Well, it appears that I have ruffled everyone's feathers by explaining the

current state of affairs as the law allows. I attempted to explain how the law

allows the government to make certain intrusions upon the free market in an

attempt to protect the public and better distribute scarce resources (I.E. a

limited number of non-emergent transfer patients). In return, from several of

you, I have received little but pissing, moaning, and whining. Most of you say

how it should be, not understanding the how and why of where we're at now, which

may well be because of the previous abuses brought on by an unregulated

ambulance marketplace. The puerile behavior strikes me as a temper tantrum from

the illegitimate love-child of Ayn Rand and Rush Limbaugh, moaning about

" freedom of choice " and " free enterprise, " with little, if any understanding of

basic economics, much less the law.

Therefore, I issue you my modest proposal. Let's go back to a completely

unregulated EMS system. A basic first aid card is all you need to drive a very

fast Cadillac or Buick ambulance. We can't put any medical equipment in the

ambulance, because you want to get to every scene before your competitor.

Remember, you'll be competing with funeral homes for business, and dead patients

are more profitable. No need for a 911 system because you can just jump calls

from listening to the police scanner. I'd recommend the name F & B Ambulance for

your new venture. Remember, any standards for EMS are communist plots from

Hillary Clinton to deprive you of your God-given right to make a fast buck.

In a few months, the usual complainers will post on here asking why EMS isn't

taken seriously. Two quotes come to mind. One comes from a gentleman who may

have lived just after 1 A.D. " Physician, heal thyself. " The other comes from a

cartoon character, " We have met the enemy and he is us. "

This will be my last post on EMS ordinances, and probably on many topics. I'm

going to join Gene, Dr. , and many others in sitting on the sidelines,

watching the children bicker. You kids have fun! I'll be around watching and

laughing, but contributing to other EMS internet forums where actual topics

related to patient care are discussed.

See y'all around. I'm going back to EMS Utopia...

Cheers!

-Wes Ogilvie, MPA, JD, EMT-B

Attorney at Law/Emergency Medical Technician

Austin, Texas