Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Longevity crisis? Kill Grandma
The Orlando Sentinel ^ | June 8, 2005 | Barbara Ehrenreich

Posted on 06/08/2005 1:34:37 PM PDT by MsGail61

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-142 next last
To: EternalVigilance

viable: a : capable of working, functioning, or developing adequately

is not the same definition as value. Look it up.

One point to make here: The government is not keeping my grandmother housed; What benefits she gets isn't enough to keep her in a decent home.

Hope you guys don't ever have to experience it.


41 posted on 06/08/2005 2:18:05 PM PDT by peacebaby (Hillary Clinton as president of America, over my dead body.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: gridlock

Time to rescurrect an old tagline...


42 posted on 06/08/2005 2:18:10 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("Quality of life": Another name for the slippery slope into barbarism...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: peacebaby
She's a child, so glad to have me or anyone pay attention to her.

Thank you for that. Your grandmother was a caregiver for most of her life and would have stolen to feed and care for her children. She earned and deserves life no matter what she looks or acts like. I can see you understand the value of a human being.

43 posted on 06/08/2005 2:20:41 PM PDT by Snoopers-868th
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: peacebaby
Perhaps you should more and judge less.

Who's judging? I just think people should look at the root question and be guided accordingly. That question can be answered a variety of different ways.

44 posted on 06/08/2005 2:21:35 PM PDT by gridlock (ELIMINATE PERVERSE INCENTIVES)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah
Or, the really unlucky ones will be found to have perfectly viable and useful adult stem cells. They will be flensed whole; their stem cells decanted; and needy younger people will get another lease on life.

Soylent Green 2025

45 posted on 06/08/2005 2:21:51 PM PDT by LexBaird ("Democracy can withstand anything but democrats" --Jubal Harshaw (RA Heinlein))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Restorer
As I understand it, her expenses were being paid by the proceeds of a lawsuit, not by Medicaid.

And when the money ran out, who would pay for it? Forget Schiavo, for that was an unusual case, but there are many being kept alive and it's being paid for my Medicaid. Putting all your emotions aside, what do you think of that?

46 posted on 06/08/2005 2:21:53 PM PDT by Hildy ( The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: peacebaby
Hope you guys don't ever have to experience it.

Many here react with the naive and obnoxious ignorance that can only come with having never given long term care for a dwindling or terminal loved one.

You have my respect.

47 posted on 06/08/2005 2:25:06 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Hildy

I think if we can send funds to Africa, Tsunami victims, nine eleven family, on and on--we can pay to care for our grandparents, mothers and fathers.


48 posted on 06/08/2005 2:25:18 PM PDT by Snoopers-868th
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog

I think you misunderstand our comments. We understand it, we sympathize with it, and we appreciate it but we do not believe we should kill these people that once spent their time caring for the mothers and fathers and grandchildren of this dying grandmother.


49 posted on 06/08/2005 2:27:48 PM PDT by Snoopers-868th
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: gridlock
Point? Counterpoint...money makes the world go round, try and live without it. Remember this...you'll draw down on every penny you ever saved and they will make you sell your home, before the nursing home doesn't charge you. And people like peacebaby will STILL have to buy things for her loved one. The family is very much involved in nursing home care.

Want to see what people live like without a loving family member? Take a trip to one. They lay there in diapers yelling to be changed, staring at a TV that isn't on. That's just the tip of the ice-berg. Great existence.

So yes, money helps..only it will be the relatives who pay when you run out..IF you are lucky.

sw

50 posted on 06/08/2005 2:27:58 PM PDT by spectre (Spectre's wife)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: MsGail61

Richard Lamm - Born - 1935 - Madison, WI. Methinks it's about time for the good Governor to start loading his own pistol and do his duty...


51 posted on 06/08/2005 2:28:03 PM PDT by badgerlandjim (Hillary Clinton is to politics as Helen Thomas is to beauty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gridlock
Sounds like "Logan's Run"...

Cheers,
CSG

52 posted on 06/08/2005 2:29:35 PM PDT by CompSciGuy ("A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." - Winston Churchill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Hildy

You are exactly correct, probably the majority of people in a situation like Schiavo's are paid for by tax dollars. However, there are a lot more objectionable uses of tax dollars than keeping someone alive who is helpless. I personally object a lot more when they go to someone who is physically capable of working.

BTW, the author of the article is not proposing that the elderly be disposed of. It's hard to figure out what exactly she is objecting to, but it's clear that, whatever it is, the fault is GWB's.


53 posted on 06/08/2005 2:30:22 PM PDT by Restorer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: George Smiley

Shades of "Soylent Green". Remember: Tuesday is Soylent Green day.


54 posted on 06/08/2005 2:32:48 PM PDT by FreeRep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: gridlock
we are SUPPOSED to die, aren't we?

infact, it is our duty to eventually die, just like it was our duty as unborn babies to come out reaching, screaming, demanding LIFE...

and in that vein, yes, I do think there should be a time when we all become "NO CODEs" ....there should be a time when you don't get transplants, you do't get tube feedings and you don't get TPN.....

now, that time is debatable, but I would think that perhaps at age 85 people should not be resuscitated.....no ifs, ands, or buts.....

55 posted on 06/08/2005 2:37:03 PM PDT by cherry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: cherry

What you have just said, is nothing short of evil.


56 posted on 06/08/2005 2:38:10 PM PDT by darkangel82
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Restorer
, there are a lot more objectionable uses of tax dollars than keeping someone alive who is helpless

And who would decide that?

57 posted on 06/08/2005 2:38:12 PM PDT by Hildy ( The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: George Smiley
Shades of "Blade Runner".

Exactly what I was thinking.
...
58 posted on 06/08/2005 2:39:43 PM PDT by mugs99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Trout-Mouth
I think you misunderstand our comments. We understand it, we sympathize with it, and we appreciate it

I wouldn't go out on the "we" limb too far. There are many on these threads who neither understand nor sympathize with real people who try to engage in ~any~ substantial conversation about ethical dilemmas involved in situations of extraordinary care requirements and diminishing returns. The fact is we have reached a point where we can delay death... but not necessarily prolong life. And the cost to families in terms of emotional and financial burdons to prolong this delay is very high.

59 posted on 06/08/2005 2:41:33 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: cherry
Got my living will in order.

sw

60 posted on 06/08/2005 2:41:43 PM PDT by spectre (Spectre's wife)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-142 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson