When you rant and rave at politicians, doctors and nurses, police and priests, did you ever stop to think: Did I smoke, drink, take drugs or live dangerously?

Am I myself responsible for the cancers, heart diseases, Aids and other complaints? Did I pay enough in my early years for the amazing and costly operations of today?

Have you asked yourself: Am I past my sell-by date for costly and life-threatening operations?

I have the deepest sympathy for those who have not indulged as above and who have to wait and suffer through no fault of their own. They should be at the front of the queue.

Perhaps the answer is to fund the NHS through the National Lottery, as in Spain, but that seems too much for the stressed-out minds of our politicians.

-Satern