Those of us who have met Dr. Benjamin Carson and heard him speak already
know what an incredible person he is. Now many more are familiar with this world-
renown pediatric neurosurgeon because of his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Back in 1987, he and his surgical team were the first to separate Siamese Twins
conjoined at the back of the head. His book, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, has
been an inspiration to many and was adapted for television and starred actor Cuba
Gooding Jr. In 2008, President George W. Bush awarded Dr. Carson with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian award in the United States).
His epic speech has now gone viral, and many more people will hear not only his
message but also his common sense proposals for problems facing America. He began by
criticizing political correctness. I have heard him speak on that subject before. He
believes it is stifling debate and saw that first hand when Emory University disinvited
him from speaking at its commencement because Ben Carson believes in intelligent
design.
He then took on America’s tax policy by reminding us that God (who he said is
the fairest individual in the universe) asked for the tithe. “You make $10 billion, you put
in a billion. You make $10 you put in one.” But what about people who say you “that’s
not fair because it doesn’t hurt the guy who made $10 billion.” Ben Carson asked,
“Where does it say you’ve got to hurt the guy?”
His solution for the cost of medical care is simple. “When a person is born, give
him a birth certificate, an electronic medical record, and a health savings account to
which money can be contributed.” He says he would have the government contribute to
the account of those who are indigent. People would then have some control over their
own health care.
I am grateful Ben Carson used this opportunity to criticize political correctness,
our complex tax system, and our inefficient health care system and then provide common
sense solutions. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view.