Higher Taxes, Less Freedom and More Rationing

I have a friend that use to work with Ward L. Churchill at the University of Boulder.
She has cancer and has held it bay for several years. However, the truth is, it will come back and finish her. Thing is we were sitting around talking about health care 3 or 4 years ago and she demanded that health care be “A Right”.

I told her that we have extraordinary health care in this country and no one is denied. Then she went on the say how the costs bankrupt families.

I said “Lifes tough but, isn’t there some were gratitude should override ones demand that the rest of be the insurance policy keeping them from being destitute. Which is not a death sentence in this country. Painful? Sure. But would you pay to obtain life saving/extending care?

It seems the carping is asking a little much. Your life was saved after all by people who have real bills but you think it should be provided for free? You want to be financially indemnified in the event of a health issue?

She said “Hell yeah. It’s bad enough to go through but tha added insult of being bankrupt is too much”.

I said that she was being unreasonable and that health care provided by the government would have to be necessarily rationed. At the time I called “Eugenicare” and asked if she was familiar with the Ford Foundation, Margaret Sanger and their efforts revoke the right to life based on a condition.

She just went off and babbling some stuff.

Anyway, I finished the discussion with the “Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” being God given and the government could not regulate those rights. They are inherent.

If the government can provide healthcare and define the parameters of continued care then wouldn’t your condition qualify as something that could be reasonably expected to resolve with medical care.

That made her mad and she said that was BS, as she was here and is proof that medical care did indeed save her and continues to provide life extension therapies.

I said “Sure you are and I happy to have you with us. But, what if a government employee looked at your case and said “Well we arent’ going to spend good money on this woman. Her condition is well, terminal” “It would be a waste of the governments resources, which at this time are limited or scarce and there is no point in spending tax payer dollars.

I continued saying “Of course this will happen because they will be incented to control costs. That would necessarily mean that some and certain patients will be denied care, as there is no hope.

What about the “mental defectives” and the elderly. Why provide care to them that could save their life or extend their life? They after all can’t possibly be counted on to contribute the society and the tax base. The government will never see the money come back.

What are their lives worth? Would you be a person who would decide the value left of a person and what care, if any you would authorize?

Remember, they are not contributing so why should they provided care is the question.

Now forward to the present and I have a friend who broke her hip 2 1/2 years ago. She had 4 operation over the course of a year and the costs were well, enormous. She was 96.

This past week she celebrated her 99th Birthday with friends and family. Trust me there were alot of tears and happiness.

She recalled many things regarding her family and friends and other events of the 99 years she has been on this planet.

Through the grace of God and his gifted servants in the medical profession she continues to live fully.

Of course her belief in God and her attitude were most helpful in her recovery as well.

She uses a walker these days but when she wakes up and get out of bed she smiles SO BIG! Every time! I cannot recall her every waking up without a smile and saying today is wonderful or something like that.

Here is the cool part. I am 46 and in great shape and very watchfull over her for her safety and health but, after she greets the day, me and the cat she get up and for the rest of the day she operates at two speeds:

Forward and faster!

Her favorite saying: “It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken”

To which I have added: “Don’t take life so seriously, You’ll never live through it”

I told here that one a couple of weeks ago and she loved it.

Understand that she went through these 4 operations and most people of her age would have been done in by it.

Then sit down and talk with her. Not a complaint in the world. I guess she can’t really having been here so long maybe gratitude is just the way here mind operates. Then again I have known her 21 years and we have danced at Ballet Gala’s and other events until 2 in the morning. She can’t do that anymore but she won’t go to bed until everyone else does or the cows come home.

And these last two things are really important. She has a better memory than me and she is loved by thousands of family and friends.

She recalled to me that my brother had gone to the Ballet 15 years ago. I laughed and said no way. No my brother. she directed to a drawer in her front room and then to a specific picture book. Now mind you she has hundreds of these things many 2 and 3 inches thick.

So there I am looking for a book that she is directing me to and then she sees the one she wants. Direct me to start opening it and then says “There, the next page. That’ll be it”.

Damn if I am not looking a picture of my brother at the ballet and at a party afterward(that I remember). I know it my brother and he is wearing one of my suits and my tie.

Amazing! I call my brother and ask him about it, he says I am full of it. I tell I am looking at a picture and my friend says to say hello. He says never been to the ballet, the after party and never met my friend.

Wow! I don’t remember and my brother doesn’t remember this event but my very energetic friend does and has proof!

I start think maybe I have “Sometimers”. You know, sometimes I remember, Some times I... Well, you get the picture.

So we drive my brother’s a few month later and I have something to drop off. My friend is with me and we pull into my brother’s driveway to wait for him. He no more makes it out past the garage and she start pointing saying “remember I told your brother went to the ballet?”. “That’s the one! That’s the one!”

She knows my other brothers and single him out. Amazing!

Last part.

Next year she will turn 100 and I have told her in no uncertain terms that she will be here. Period.

Why? P.A.R.T.Y.. That’s right party time! We have already reserved a ballroom at a prominent Hotel here and have so far received more than 300 RSVP’s from friends and family saying no matter what they will absolutely be at here 100th birthday party.

The invites went to more than 1,500 people and we expect more than 500. That’s a lot of family! She has 5 generation beneath her with more being born every month. There are something like more than 300 family members of children, grandchildren, greatgranchildren, nephews, nieces,etc, etc, etc.

nearly everyone of them will be at this party.

Then there are the many friends she has collected over the years and I know at least 200 have said they will be there.

The important part of this story is that she is loved, admired and respected by so many. She is and has been an important part of all of our lives.

We Love Her and need her presence for as long as God will allow. Of course there is that party next year and I have strict demands.

What is her life worth? Who defines that?

Will be a faceless government Bureaucrat that says NO. There is benefit to society to provide whatever care she needs and the investment in her health would have a negative impact on the “system”.

or

Would it be the people who love her and say we will do anything to help her live and live with as much fullness as she wants. We will take her with us everywhere. Go out to lunch, Dinner, get an ice cream or just go for a drive.

We will take her on vacations so she can spend time with family on vacation, to a wedding of a great grandchild or a family reunion.

We will take her to the Ballet, to a children musical or invite to come to my friends home every week. I mean every week for dinner, enough dessert to satisfy the sweet tooth of hers and a movie on a 60 inch screen with closed captioning, so she can have a nice night.

We will take her shopping with us and stop at the food court for lunch or a snack. Heck, we will take to the make up counter and let her have a makeover. Too funny.

We will take to doctors that have just fell in love with her and who occasionally stop by to say hello, even though we just saw them in their office a week ago.(How the heck these guys find the time I don’t know. But besides being well known in their fields, having family and businesses to manage, they make the time. The most amazing guys you could ever meet and they bring their family sometimes. Great guys)

We decided her life and her presence are of value.

We are her family.

We are her friends.

We are her healthcare providers.

WE LOVE HER.

Leave us alone

“We decided her life and her presence are of value.
We are her family.
We are her friends.
We are her healthcare providers.

WE LOVE HER.

Leave us alone”

Nice story! Thought the last part bears repeating.

Well, we just took a place that shares her name for a birthday party and she even made the news. She was hilarious!

Even drank some beer which she had never done before, in her life!

One of my friends got concerned and everyone started let her. At 99 she can do whatever she wants.

I think she must have had 20% before handing the mug to me.

Swear to God she is too funny.

Took her to Chico’s last night to get some clothes and she picked them out herself. She was so happy and her presence left all the sales ladies beaming from ear to ear.

Went to my friends house and had dinner then watched “He just not into you”. She really liked the film.

She’s Weird.

Sorry I need a Do Over. My brain went faster than my fingers:

Well, we just took her to a place that shares her name for a birthday party and she even made the news. She was hilarious!

Even drank some beer, which she had never done before, in her life!

One of my friends got concerned and everyone started saying “let her. At 99 she can do whatever she wants”.

I think she must have had 20% before handing the mug to me.

Swear to God she is too funny.

Took her to Chico’s last night to get some clothes and she picked them out herself. She was so happy and her presence left all the sales ladies beaming from ear to ear.

Went to my friends house and had dinner then watched “He’s just not into you”. She really liked the film.

She’s Weird.

fixed

My mom is 91 and in perfect health. Last year she spent the night in the hospital for something. She said it was the only time other than childbirth that she had to spend the night! Although with the normal aches and pains of aging, she has said “Oh - to be 85 again!”. (She looks like she is about 70).

Not quite the character that your friend is - but still very thankful for how blessed she is!

She sounds like a real gem. Glad you have her.

Good for you! Best thing for people who God has let live so long:

Smile
Hug
Love
Real interest in what they are talking about. Unless it is one of those annoying subjects.

Trust me, I don't care who it is, everyone has something annoying.

Then go back to:
Smile (ray of sunshine and a gift of happiness. They like to rub the invisible effects all over. Feels good)

Hug(Let's em know they are still alive and that is just the way everyone wants it. Cuz they are important and that makes them Feel Good)

Love(Demonstration of small things you notice they might want or want to do can anticipated. It let's them know you are paying attention to them and not lip service.)

Guess What? Feels Good!

Thanks for your post.