#welovetheNHS My response to Daniel Hannan on his Telegraph Blog

Daniel Hannan's Blog can be found here.

Is there really anything worse than a corrupt, lying politician? I had the unfortunate opportunity to watch your 'interview' with Fox 'News'.

Why were the NHS wait times from 2004. The wait times aren't anything like that any more. What could you possibly hope to achieve by displaying old information?

Frankly, it hurts your point as you show you are unable to support your platform with current figures.

Could it be that the NHS, universal health care and indeed the health care reform being proposed in the US is not really the monster you portray?

While it is true that hospitals in the US cannot turn patients away for life saving treatment, it doesn't mean that charges cannot be made, it does not mean that people are free to make choices as to how they are treated and by who as they are with universal healthcare (contrary to the remarkable lies being told about the NHS you actually DO have the choice as to which doctor, which hospital and when you're seen).

Is the NHS perfect, is anything truly perfect? The NHS, like many services, can always improve, make itself better, learn and grow.

But it provides a service to all, regardless of money, race or creed.

Is it free? No, of course not; money doesn't grow on trees! But the public that uses it, contributes to it. Those that earn more, contribute more, those that earn little, contribute less, those that are unable to contribute are still able to use it.

We do so because we are a community, a collection of individuals concerned with our fellow neighbour.

A healthcare service run for profit serves only those that can afford it, those that cannot risk limited care, or large financial commitments.

I am embarrassed that any American watching your 'interviews' may mistakenly believe that you represent anyone else in the UK. I am saddened that you choose to represent yourself in this way when you are supposed to hold a position of responsibility.

But most of all, I am disgusted that you are lying to so many people to, what I can only assume is to, further a career in the US.

You, your views and your methods are frankly, little more than an embarrassment.

I am absolutely amazed that this individual actually holds an elected office. I can only assume that this is not a platform he campaigned on.

The challenge: 2009

We have undertaken a challenge, a challenge of great strength and determination, a challenge that will likely see death, pain and misery.

Of course, that can only mean one thing; it's a weight challenge.

Now, starting at my super-buff 115kg, it should be a relatively easy process of starting to shed those pounds kilograms. The issue I've mainly been having is, I don't eat at McDonald's, I don't replace meals with ice cream and I don't think "a milkshake is a fine and vital source of calcium".

So, tougher measures are needed!

With the help of a part-evil, part-kind personal trainer and the dietary advice of a sadistic financial adviser, the plan to achieve the greatest weight loss in 2009 has been set.

Here is the progress to date. Thanks to the genius that is Google Docs, this chart should will actually update as I update the data. I'm going to go ahead and apologize now if it doesn't.

So, what are the terms of the challenge? Simple, $1 is paid for every pound lost; simple as that. That $1 is then duly returned to its rightful owner, GAP, Old Navy, Target, Walmart and Banana Republic upon our triumphant return to Texas in December.

Now, obviously I'm shooting for $300, but I would have to implode for that to happen, so to keep things achievable, I think I'll just try for the "Ideal Body Weight" of 67.4kg (150lbs) as it seems like a nice figure (in every sense of the word).

It's not easy, lots of exercise (and it keeps getting more) and what I think is a pretty harsh diet; but, ultimately, it's gonna be great!