Off to See the Wizard

Local Dorothys, Scarecrows, Tin Men, and Cowardly Lions followed the Yellow Brick Road to the Allentown Farmer’s Market yesterday to visit Oz — Dr Oz that is. He made a campaign stop here.

What was Dr Oz’s main topic? Inflation. “The basics that people buy here at the Farmer’s Market, the gas they burn to get here. It costs more and more to live due to socialism in D.C.” After Toto scampered behind the curtain to reveal the “real” Oz, Dorothy might ask, “You are worth $115 million. Is $5 per gallon gas really hurting you?”

Dr Oz has the solution to our nation’s woes — Open up all Federal lands to oil drilling and cut government spending. Today’s Dorothy might have a degree in Petroleum Engineering. She would ask, “It takes three years for an oil well to come on line. How is that going to bring down gas prices today?” Also, “Every Republican administration since Hoover has promised to cut government spending. They’ve cut taxes for corporations and the rich, but increased the deficit every time. What would you do differently?”

Oz then took questions from the floor. Denise Velez said, “A one bedroom apartment here costs $1,500 per month. How can you afford that if you are making $15 per hour?” Oz replied with the classic Republican “trickle down” response. “By reducing taxes, industry will prosper and everyone will be better off.” Denise could have countered with, “Actually, Pennsylvania Republicans have kept our minimum wage at $7.75 per hour for nearly twenty years now. We’re still waiting for that “trickle””.

The “elephant in the room” then reared its head. “Dr Oz, why are you so against abortion?” Dr Oz has his response down pat. “I’m actually pro-life. I believe that this decision is best made by the individual states and not dictated by the Federal government.” That seemed to satisfy the friendly crowd.

The Scarecrow (lacking a brain) might ask a follow-up question. “Why not leave the decision up to the woman and her doctor? Why should any government be involved at all?” Come to think of it, Scarecrow might not lack a brain after all.

It’s a long way to November and the Yellow Brick Road may bring Oz back to the Lehigh Valley again. I’d like to hear his response to those follow-up questions.

By Ed Dufton