Jay Honeck wrote:

It has *everything* to do with the FAA being part of our bloated Federal
gubmint, with no one holding them accountable for job performance.

And of course, it's needless bureaucracy for private pilots. A simple
statistical analysis shows it's a complete waste of time and effort.
There isn't a significant difference in accidents due to medical issues
between gliders (which don't require a medical) and powered aircraft.

Further, those who are going to fly with a significant impairment, are
as likely to lie about it on the history form which is by and large
undetectable by the current bureaucracy. I am aware of pilots who
are insulin-dependant diabetics, those taking anti-depressants, and
those with disabling headaches taking heavy amount of barbituate
pain-killers who all just "forgot" to mention those things on their
medical.