Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' explained his plan for socialized medicine this week. Included in the government subsidized womb to tomb health care would be required doctors visits and procedures.

Edwards, who's wife has had a well publicized battle with cancer, explained how women for example would be required to get mammograms.

This is an interesting example as there are some who suggest that mammograms can actually increase a womans chances of breast cancer. Now I don't know if that is true, but I do know that in a free society it is a decision that belongs to a woman and her doctor, not John Edwards and some Washington bureaucrats.

One does not have to ponder this slippery slope very long to imagine what "required procedures" the government might dream up for us.