Dear Editor,

Health care? I wouldn't call it that!

Recently, my doctor referred me to a specialist. After not hearing from anyone for six weeks, I made inquiries myself and found out there was a six-to eight-month waiting list just to see this specialist, plus however long it would take to have any tests done.

I realize these people are working flat out, trying to keep up with demand, so I have no issue with them.

By the time anyone waits six to eight months, their issue has gotten worse or gone critical. The health care system then needs to put out more money than they would have had to - or should have had to - to try and treat the patient, perform surgery, provide extended hospitals stays, etc., and more patients die.

That is what I call stupid economics. Nothing is actually being done about the problems. I'm not so naive or stupid to think there is an easy solution, but there is a solution.

The real blame lies with the politicians and bureaucrats from 20 years ago. The current bunch can be blamed for doing nothing for future generations.

I have had exposure to private pension and health care plans. Evaluations are constantly done to check the age curve, to see what services are being used the most, etc., all in an effort to assess future costs and manage future problems.

The governments of today and yesterday must be doing the same, so no one can convince me they didn't see it coming.

The government's answer is to say they need more taxes. Why? There are more people in the province, therefore there should be more tax revenue to cover the need.

Since I was born, there have been 22 new taxes created by the federal and provincial governments, and as we know, some things are actually double and triple-taxed.

The real problem is too much government and too little efficiency as to where the money goes.

There is no way for the public to remove anyone from public office for nonperformance or any other reason, no real way. Sure, we can vote them out in the next election, but that deals more with the party, and all of them have lost touch with reality. It certainly doesn't get rid of the so-called civil servants, who never get touched - a huge part of the problem.

The system is broken, but not enough people want to fix it.

They are really saying we can't handle this, so more and more people are going to get sicker and die until this system breaks. Then they don't have to worry; we'll go Third World: if you can't afford to pay, too bad.

That is not what this country is about.

I'm not the only one in this situation or who feels this way.

The public needs to get off its collective butt, quit being complacent Canadians, and demand real reform.

Bill Baron, Maple Ridge