Pulse of the People: The Cheney-Edwards debate didn't make as much of an impression on my patients as the Bush-Kerry debate. No one's mentioned it at all. But then, everyone's been preoccupied by the flu vaccine shortage. Did you know that's Bush's fault? That's what I kept hearing today.

As far as I can tell the thinking goes something like this: The flu vaccine is manufactured by a corporation. Corporations only exist to make money and are therefore evil. Republicans support policies that help corporations make more money. Bush is a Republican. Therefore, the shortage is his fault.

In other election trends, I can't help but notice that the people in my practice who complain the most about taxes and runaway litigation are also the most vocal Kerry-Edwards supporters. What's up with that?

Sometimes, you've gotta wonder about the people.