Content, content, content. That’s all you hear about these days. Certainly, content is great, but I strongly feel that quality content reigns supreme, especially when most of the incessant chatter on the ‘Net has become a noisy distraction.

Frankly, I can only write meaningful blogs once or twice each month. If you want to read more from me, there’s my bi-monthly column in the Tampa Tribune, and for daily quips of wisdom, there’s my Twitter feed (@Tina_Ruggiero). Periodic television appearances and radio interviews pepper the airwaves, and there’s always my Facebook page and speaking engagements from which to glean “tips from Tina.” Honestly, I think that’s enough. My mother loves me, but even she doesn’t want to hear from me daily!

Today, though, is time for a post and an opinionated one, at that. I’ve got politics on my mind.

With both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions just weeks away and a Presidential election shortly thereafter, much is to be seen in the near term – which made me start thinking about what I’d do if I were elected President.

While I have clearly-articulated thoughts about foreign policy and economics, it’s healthcare I’d tackle first. After all, it’s what I know best.

So, here’s what I’d do:

1. REFORM THE FDA: Like the IRS, the FDA performs necessary work (in principle), yet they’re riddled with corruption. Since the FDA is in bed with drug companies, alternative therapies don’t stand a chance of seeing the light of day. So, I’d dissolve the FDA, replace it with a non-government agency having complete and enforced independence from drug manufacturers and establish a competent management team of scientists whose vested interests lie in preventive medicine and realistic principles.
2. ALLOW FREE ENTERPRISE INSURANCE: My family medical history is excellent. Longevity also runs in my DNA. My bill of health is clean, and I’m never sick. Can that change? Absolutely. But I’m willing to risk it won’t. So, I’d like a healthcare insurance option where I don’t have to pay for treatments I won’t or don’t need. Right now, my premiums are through the roof. If I get sick, that’s the risk I take. If I die from amoebic meningoencephalitis, it will not be at the expense of others.
3. REFORM MARKETING AND ADVERTISING: More money is spent on marketing than research. Really. When was the last time you saw a commercial for Cialis? Right. Thirty minutes ago. Enough said.
4. USE PUBLIC FUNDINGTO STUDY NUTRITION THERAPIES: Novel, eh? How about taking those grants and using them to further research for therapies which already show promise for efficacy and safety? What about examining curcumin to prevent cancer? And which methylators will really reduce heart or neural diseases? Changing how we fund science would transform medicine as we know it.
5. LIMIT THE LAW: To bring a suit to court, lawyers don’t need a case, and because of that, much of a physician’s work has come to focus on liability avoidance, not practicing medicine. So, we have a system that is making good doctors scarce and treatments expensive. I’d limit malpractice and not allow it to be defined by beguiled juries.

I’m not sure if I’ve won your vote, but I’d certainly like to hear your thoughts.