The Real Hawkeye
member
Well, not quite, as I've leaned that way for a while now, but it sure stirred up the libertarian in me. Reaching that age where to read (uhh, gun books, of course) I have to lift up my glasses and look under them. Decided I needed some bifocals (need em to read those gun books). Went to the nearest glasses establishment and explained the situation. They said I needed to make an appointment with the optometrist. Ok, so I figured the guy was going to put those funny glasses on me, and somehow he'd determine what strength optic I needed in the bottom part of a bifocal (I was already very happy with my prescription for the upper part). Couple of days later I show up for my appointment, and it's like a medical office in the back. Go to the desk and let the girl know I'm here for my appointment. She hands me a couple of pages of questionnaires, just like in a medical office. There must be some mistake, I think, but I read on. Turns out, the State of Florida mandates that whenever you require any alteration in you glasses prescription, you have to submit to an examination for medical disease processes of the eye.
Now, I have nothing against medical exams of any portion of one's body, should one feel the need to have it, or should one's family doctor refer one for this, but I will decide on my own when I get an exam for any disease processes, thank you very much. I'll be damned if I am going to be forced to submit to one just because I want bifocals. All they need to do is determine my reading prescription. I don't get a podiatric exam every time I get a new pair of shoes, for gosh sake, nor do I need to see an ear nose and throat man to purchase a neck tie.
It was a matter of principle, dag gonnit. I walked out of that place. I'd rather lift my glasses up to read than submit to any of these nanny state regulations. Who do they think they are? It is obvious that the American Optometric Association made a large donation to someone's reelection campaign to get this piece of nanny state pork through the legislature. Am I the only one who has this reaction? It drives me up the wall. I'll be damned if the government is going to tell me I have to get a medical exam just to get a new prescription. This is (was) a free country, dag nab it!!!
Now, I have nothing against medical exams of any portion of one's body, should one feel the need to have it, or should one's family doctor refer one for this, but I will decide on my own when I get an exam for any disease processes, thank you very much. I'll be damned if I am going to be forced to submit to one just because I want bifocals. All they need to do is determine my reading prescription. I don't get a podiatric exam every time I get a new pair of shoes, for gosh sake, nor do I need to see an ear nose and throat man to purchase a neck tie.
It was a matter of principle, dag gonnit. I walked out of that place. I'd rather lift my glasses up to read than submit to any of these nanny state regulations. Who do they think they are? It is obvious that the American Optometric Association made a large donation to someone's reelection campaign to get this piece of nanny state pork through the legislature. Am I the only one who has this reaction? It drives me up the wall. I'll be damned if the government is going to tell me I have to get a medical exam just to get a new prescription. This is (was) a free country, dag nab it!!!
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