Obama Administration: Depressed and Disabled Veterans Should Consider Foregoing Medical Care

IsraPundit ^ | 8/19/09 | Bill Levinson

[Winged Hussar]

Depression, disability, and "being a financial burden" could constitute "Lebensunwerte Leben" (Life Unworthy of Life) in U.S. Government end of life planning document

"The Death Book for Veterans: Ex-soldiers don't need to be told they're a burden to society" by Jim Towey in today's (August 18) Wall Street Journal says,

Last year, bureaucrats at the VA's National Center for Ethics in Health Care advocated a 52-page end-of-life planning document, "Your Life, Your Choices." It was first published in 1997 and later promoted as the VA's preferred living will throughout its vast network of hospitals and nursing homes. After the Bush White House took a look at how this document was treating complex health and moral issues, the VA suspended its use. Unfortunately, under President Obama, the VA has now resuscitated "Your Life, Your Choices."

We downloaded this document directly from the Veterans Administration, and the content suggests that both family finances and depression--a non-terminal illness--could constitute Lebensunwerte Leben, or "life unworthy of life." Smoke is generally indicative of fire and, although HR 3200 says nothing about mandatory end of life planning, euthanasia, or anything else similar to Germany's Aktion T4 program--the euthanasia program that served as a precedent for the Holocaust--we have shown (http://www.israpundit.com/2008/?p=16320) that there is indeed fire to go with the smoke. "Your Life, Your Choices" is simply more evidence, and it even suggests that war veterans with depression consider themselves a burden on the society that sent them to war.

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

Thanks for posting this. Haven’t read all the comments on the thread but the question makes me think of how they would be answered by FDR, Christopher Reeves, and a young Christian woman named Joni Erickson Tada who became a quadraplegic in her late teens. Joni learned to paint with her mouth and the Lord has used her to proclaim His grace, comfort and HOPE to millions worldwide as she learned to trust Him.

[ExTexasRedhead]

LOL; the Socialists in Congress are the thugs that scream when they’re call Nazis. If the shoe fits!!!

[TMA62]

Perhaps we can give this questionaire to Ted Kennedy right now along with ALL the elderly elists, liberals, professors and reports. They should go through this crap.

This is how they treat their parents, the veterans, the greatest generation. This is what “compassionate liberalism” is.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

I read and heard on the radio where 0bama said some stupid thing like military (AD or vets?) should use their own supplemental insurance or some crap.

[cake_crumb]

&%$#@________! Saving & cirsulating...

[cake_crumb]

Doctors ARE NOT allowed to do what they want. You sound like that moron Obama when he spouts the same lies.

[cake_crumb]

We’re with you. God bless us all, because we really, REALLY need it.

[ponygirl]

Overall, I agree with you. I do think that shrinks have their place, but I'm not convinced that they should replace nutrition counseling, hormone balance and just all-out rest for someone who likely has adrenal fatigue. You can actually become so depleted that your "fight or flight" trigger just doesn't work anymore.

As someone who was treated with these drugs for "depression" that was really Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I have some experience. I was able to tolerate and stay in a job that I hated - whereas if I had not been medicated, I probably would have quit sooner and moved on to happier circumstances. Relationships that were formed while on the drugs couldn't be tolerated AT ALL once off them. So it does change your personality, even though it did make life easier to just not be so worked up about stuff all the time. Problem is, you can't stay on them forever, no matter what they'd like you to believe, and once off them, you're back to square one.

[Bruinator]

I think the difficult but acceptable choice as the best choice is the point here. Plenty of People in wheelchairs would answer that they love their lives and are happy. Not living a difficult life but acceptable. Of course these talks need to happen but, when if I am healthy but am disabled, I am not going to begin talking about the end of my life. Those happen in the course time.

[cake_crumb]

"Something is very, very wrong here. VERY wrong. It should be stopped immediately"

Self fulfilling prophecy: ask a depressed, possibly permanently disabled vet questions like are you a burden to your loved ones and it plants a suggestion in that vet's mind, which reinforces their feelings of uselessness. Add to it the known side effects of prescription antidepressants (kinda contrary to the POINT and why I only use or recommend catnip tea, which has no side effects). It's what passes for "science" now: they're callously creating the statistics which they will use later to "prove" their theory as "fact".

[cake_crumb]

It wasn’t that long ago B Hussein wanted to CHARGE veterans for medical services. Anyone who thinks this is a coincidence is “surprised” by rising unemployment.

[cake_crumb]

I’ve been confused a LOT since January 20, 2009....

[MeekOneGOP]

Oh, my !!

Pinging my General Interest and Texas Lists here cuz I thought you’d wanna know!

Ping! Ping! Ping!

[Dustbunny]

Bump for later email forwarding

[JerseyDvl]

Good day meekone, i hope you are well today. This situation is a total travesty. Days ago my friend, who is a disabled Vietnam Vet, stopped taking the effexor and vicodin that he has needed for years. I am going to see if this has anything to do with that decision post haste.

[mel]

I agree but, there are a lot here who will flame you for saying that.

[antiunion person]

I have only TWO words for Obama.

F*** YOU

[ohioWfan]

I LOVE that, Sparko!

Thanks for a much needed laugh.

[Brad from Tennessee]

I had major surgery three years ago. The hospital sent me a similar questionnaire. My lawyer had me set up a living will. Since I was unmarried my daughter was given the power of attorney. I realized at the time a prudent person would have these instruments in place even in good health.

[TADSLOS]

Shinseki is a disabled vet. He should apply his own treatment on himself first and let us know how that’s working out for him.