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Forget …. Being like Mike – Instead … Be like Ben 

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA CMP™

A unique speech was delivered by neuro-surgeon Benjamin Carson MD on February 7, 2013 at the National Prayer Breakfast in President Barack Obama’s presence.

Who is Ben Carson MD?

Benjamin Solomon “Ben” Carson, Sr. (born September 18, 1951) is an American neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, by President George W. Bush, in 2008.

The Breakfast

During the breakfast, Carson suggested that political correctness is a “dangerous” threat to free speech and encouraged Americans to share their views without hesitation. Carson also included his ideas on the national debt, deficits, taxation and health care; he explains his personal position on each matter.

Here is a teaser quote:

I don’t like to bring up problems without coming up with solutions… What about our taxation system? It is so complex, there is no one who can possibly comply with every jot and tittle. That doesn’t make any sense.

What we need to do is come up with something that’s simple. The inherently fair principle is proportionality: you make 10 billion dollars, you put in a billion. You make 10 dollars, you put in one. Of course, you have to get rid of the loopholes.

Some people say, ‘That’s not fair! It’s doesn’t hurt the guy who made 10 billion dollars.’ Where does it say you have to hurt that guy? He just put a billion dollars into the pot!

My Connectinon to Ben Carson

Ok, I really don’t have any connection to Dr. Carson despite the seven degrees of separation philosophy. But, I did grow up in Baltimore Maryland and played stickball in the parking lot of the famed Johns Hopkins University  Hospital. I was even seen in the ER for a minor injury as a kid.

But, I was not accepted into medical school there, and could not attend Johns Hopkins University up on North Charles Street for my undergraduate career, because of the expense.

The Video

Nevertheless, this video is worth watching. It is 26 minutes in length and it is interesting to watch the president grimace as he gives a complete opposite solution to every problem the country faces.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyyHegP255g

Ben’s Proposals

I especially liked Ben’s thoughts on the following topics:

• Replacing the IRS with tithing for all income levels. No need to hurt the successful among us with a graduated tax system.
• Giving all Americans a Health Savings Account [HSA] at birth. This will not only give them some financial skin-in-the game, but makes them educated stewards of their healthcare needs, treatments and expenses. And, the savings portion would be transferrable to a next generation beneficiary for estate-like continuity.
• Giving everyone a personal electronic health record [pEHR] at birth.
• Reforming the welfare state so it does not become a way of life
• Morality and the PC mania.

Assessment

Ben is one smart pediatric brain surgeon. I would consider voting for him in a heart-beat. But, as a surgeon, I am like him, a doer who wants to solve a problem.

Unfortunately, Washington politicians are often talkers who place self-interest above all. Problem solving often takes a back-seat to pleasing constituents. 

Conclusion

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