PersianMuggle

Couldn't a democracy work? The only options aren't Islamic regime or monarchy. The reason the monarchy under the Shah was established was because of a foreign coup under Prime Minister Mossadegh. There's a reason, after all, the king was overthrown in 1979, no?

I read recently that you've battled with mental illness. Is there something you wish you could tell people to help with their understanding? Is the "crazy person" reference to the depersonalization disorder as a way to minimize it?

But Iran already has a model. The Monarch's only heir is 40 years removed from the country, the people, and their needs. But a democracy that existed before the Shah crowned himself would give the people the ability to select their own leadership. Or at least eliminate the concept of a supreme leader from the Islamic republic as a first step and continue with presidential leadership sans authoritarian rule. I mean the Constitution would have to be redrafted, but this could be a more incremental change model too.

Dr. Gupta... I wrote you a "fan" letter that I still have sitting in my draft messages back in 2007. It was after you provided a rather critical interview on Michael Moore's film "Sicko." While my views have softened since then, I was very much pro-single payer at the time. Now that I work in health care policy, I realize that this is not possible and think that only incremental changes (like the Affordable Care Act) will help resolve our health care cost and outcomes crisis. I would love to know what you think the ideal system of health care delivery is today?

P.S. I visited when you were away about a month ago. Here's the pic.