Ben Carson, MD, a renowned neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Medical School, is giving up surgery and going into politics, though it's not clear whether he plans to run for office.

In a recent appearance on Fox Business' Stu Varney show, Dr. Carson, 61, confirmed that he is retiring as a surgeon and said he plans to "spend a lot of time talking to political and non-political groups about the United States being for the people" and about healthcare reform.

As this year's keynote speaker at the 61st annual National Prayer Breakfast, Dr. Carson said the 2 greatest challenges facing America today are "moral decay and fiscal irresponsibility."

He also said he favors a flat tax and a free-market alternative to healthcare reform in which all citizens would have health savings accounts and would be able to make pre-tax contributions throughout their lives, then pass whatever's left on to family members when they die.

No stranger to controversy, Dr. Carson withdrew as the graduation speaker for this year's commencement ceremonies at Johns Hopkins after his nationally televised comments about gay marriage, during which he drew comparisons to bestiality and pedophilia, drew protests from students and faculty.

Jim Burger