I would say any next step should be focused on moving towards the ideal, not away from it. As we've identifed earlier, deregulating the actual practice of medic

I would say any next step should be focused on moving towards the ideal, not away from it. As we've identifed earlier, deregulating the actual practice of medicine, and adopting a model that more closely resembles veteranry care, would take us quite far in the right direction. Basically instead of socializing the ridiculous costs of the current system, we should focus on creating an wider spectrum of options for people. There should be a budget option. I strongly disagree that it's pointless to have an underlying philosophy that decisions are based on, quite the opposite in fact. I would say that having a consistent philosophy or set of principles is the most important thing when making any sort of decisions, especially in the administration of complex systems such as society. To answer your second (very valid) question, the underlying assumption is that we are all more or less equal, and therefore neither of us has a right to impose anything on the other. The question I've asked that you've not answered is what is the source of your authority to decide what virtues I should live by? I'm not saying you have to live by mine, just that you lack the moral authority to make me live by yours. The fact that I'm asking for a source of authority is just a fancy way of saying "why do you think you can impose on me and not expect me to resist with violence and subversion?"