"Be afraid. Be very afraid."

[elfs]

One of the things I'm sure we've all heard about recently is the claim that health care reform will lead to euthanizing grandma. FOX has even run clips from Soylent Green while discussing the subject, and I hope whatever producer had that idea changed his pants afterward.

But look, section 1233 of one of the proposed bills simply says that one of the things doctors will be incentivized to do with you if you're over the age of 65 is discuss living wills and the extent to which you want heroic measures taken to save your life under various scenarios related to your current condition. That's hardly euthanasia; in fact, for mature people, it's outright common sense. When you can't speak for yourself, you should have documented how you want other people to speak for you.

Basically, the strategy of the right has become, "Death is scary and the Obama Health Care plan is determined to make you think about death (which is scary) and when the time comes maybe you'll think about death carefully (which is scary) so goddamnit you should be scared!."

Or, you could grow up. Your choice.

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

We have, so sayeth Tommy there, certain inalienable rights, "among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." I wanna address that last one for a bit.

Remember when our parents said, "when you grow up, you can decide what to do, but for now, do what I say"?

One could argue, could one not, that growing up, being responsible for oneself, is a pursuit of happiness?

Could one not then argue that anyone who says "be scared, do what I say, let me be in charge of you" is hindering that growth? Keeping you from making your own decisions, the ones that will make you uniquely happy?

Is it not the agenda of the enemies of the United-States-as-it-should-be (as Mr. Jefferson and fellows conceived of it) to destroy our freedom, to take away the exercise of our inalienable rights?

Then tell me why (fnord) we shouldn't lock (fnord) these scary-screamers up (fnord) in some nice, safe place where they won't bother us anymore? Like, say, GitMo? Or maybe just put their heads on pikes, for the encouragement of others?

Bastards.

[grum]

Oh, Elf. You just, with a straight face, suggested that the majority of Americans grow up. I don't think that's ever going to happen.

And in context, I really don't think it's going to happen when the children of the elder in question are pushing tooth and nail to make them live forever, living wills bedamned.

I don't know why doctors go along with it, but make sure you choose your power of attorney very carefully because faced with a document and a distraught next of kin, they'll go with the next of kin's desires. it's sickening, expensive, and frequently pointless as death does come to all in time.

[(Anonymous)]

I think you give the right too much credit. If they were casually broaching the subject of living wills and how the proposed bills encourage doctors to talk about them with patients, then I might agree with you.

But that's not what they're doing; what they're doing is everything (up to and including lying through their teeth) to convey the message that "Obamacare" will kill you. They're not trying to evoke the vague unease that any conversation about death entails, they're trying to portray healthcare reform as a direct threat to the lives of you and your family.

Number 127

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

While you are at it, you should remember that the language regarding living wills was inserted at the request of Republicans, with sound, bi-partisan, support.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_candide_/]

Oh, not always. Definitely not in Florida.

When my grandfather had decided, "Ok. Enough," stopped taking his numerous meds, and ceased eating, my father & his brother flipped and called the cops. The cops showed up, saw the healthcare-proxy-document held by my grandfather's neighbor, and told her that if the 2 sons bothered her again, he'd consider it harassment.

Which was correct, as far as my brothers and I were concerned. My grandfather, who was almost 90, was in constant pain. Anytime he stood or sat down, he was in agony. Eating had become painful, due to a hiatal hernia. I surmised that getting up in the morning had become too much effort, and that he finally had enough.

[tagryn]

I think McArdle's recent column on this gets into why the worries aren't simple paranoia.

[doodlesthegreat.livejournal.com]

Fear, it's all the Rethugnicans have.