There is no "free lunch". The individual should pay and does. No amount of “education” or “morality” will stop or eliminate the problem. Then we ask, “Who should pay”?

Where is that magic pill to allow people to engage in potentially lethal behavior that endangers his/her life or the lives of others? All problems are solved by a pill and allow the individual to do as he/she pleases. This is a story about choices and effects. Even if we had such a pill not everyone could afford it.

I would suggest the individual is responsible for his/her actions. Asking the state to take responsibility is a popular concept. I will do as I please and the state must take care of me. I am not responsible for my actions. I live to please myself and all things must support me. My life is about pleasing me. It is not fair that there are negative consequences for my actions.

The problem will be "solved" the day the media stops talking about it. The only problems that exist are those reported by the media. Ignorance is bliss.

>But who should be paying for it?
>
>>>SNIP
>>>
>>>>It didn't hit any major rock or Hollywood star recently, ergo doesn't sell newspapers and advertising space. It's now killing thousands in Africa, but since these guys don't have the money for the treatment (nor do their states have), they can die wihout coverage. And aid.
>>>
>>>They are not dying without aid. At 100 million a year for five years (ends in 2005 unless a new bill is introduced) it should concern us all. That 'drop in the bucket' is accomplishing almost nothing. Maybe they cannot pay for it themselves, but they are receiving 'some' help from the world....
>>>
>>>
>>>http://www.aegis.com/news/ap/2000/AP000509.html
>>
>>"While most experts believe it will take more than $5 billion to slow the epidemic in Africa, we are excited about this down payment."
>>
>>And still, the same Congress is also very pushy when it comes to offering other countries to abandon their own production of pharmaceuticals and subscribe to "intellectual property" POV... which will cost them more money and more lives. And it's usually an offer they can't refuse.
>>
>>Don't ask me where I've found this - I don't know anymore. Probably in several places, including an article from a government advisor in my own country. I just don't write down the URLs of everything I read.