A couple of days ago I wrote on a hypocrite named Grassley and his support for the “death panel” thingy. Well the person who pretty much started the term “death council is a huge hypocrite also. I am speaking of the gformer governor of Alaska, one Sarah Palin. She recently wrote on her Facebook page:
In a Facebook posting titled “Concerning Death Panels,” Palin argued Wednesday night that the elderly and ailing would be coerced into accepting minimal end-of-life care to reduce health care costs based on the Democratic bill in the House.
“With all due respect, it’s misleading for the president to describe this section as an entirely voluntary provision that simply increases the information offered to Medicare recipients,” and added, “It’s all just more evidence that the Democratic legislative proposals will lead to health care rationing.”
The issue is no longer viable for the six members of the Senate Finance Committee — three Republicans and three Democrats — working on a bipartisan bill, according to Grassley. In a statement, Grassley criticized the House bill, saying there was a difference between a “simple education campaign, as some advocates want,” and paying “physicians to advise patients about end-of-life care.”
Ain’t that great she is standing by her recent accusation of grandma being put before a “death panel” if the Dem health plan is passed. Nice words from a politician and Ms. Palin is just that…a politician and she does what politicians do…forget there is always a paper trail of their actions.
She has seemingly forgot her action on April 16, 2008, yes that was before she became the Repub candidate for vice pres, she endorsed the following:
WHEREAS, Healthcare Decisions Day is designed to raise public awareness of the need to plan ahead for healthcare decisions, related to end of life care and medical decision-making whenever patients are unable to speak for themselves and to encourage the specific use of advance directives to communicate these important healthcare decisions. […]
WHEREAS, one of the principal goals of Healthcare Decisions Day is to encourage hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, and hospices to participate in a statewide effort to provide clear and consistent information to the public about advance directives, as well as to encourage medical professionals and lawyers to volunteer their time and efforts to improve public knowledge and increase the number of Alaska’s citizens with advance directives.
WHEREAS, the Foundation for End of Life Care in Juneau, Alaska, and other organizations throughout the United States have endorsed this event and are committed to educating the public about the importance of discussing healthcare choices and executing advance directives.
I would like to thank Thinkprogress.org for the quote.
It is amazing how fast a conservative to change the position to fit the occasion The more that their hypocrisy is pointed out the more informed the voters will be…now we can only hope that they take the time to read and educate themselves on ALL issues. Sad to say, the “rational ignorance effect” is all too common when dealing with the public.
Yes, I agree with everything you say in these last three posts, although I’m not entirely about the statement you make that healthcare is a right rather than a service – many people in many cultures throughout the world have NO healthcare and no chance of getting it within generations.
My one real fear is that people are expecting reality to equate with theory – it just doesn’t happen that way – especially where government run enterprises are concerned.
Clearly something has to be done, but the fact is that NO large, normal, civilised society can afford fully funded modern medical care for ALL its citizens – the numbers simply don’t add up unless you want to forget defence, policing, childcare, other welfare and so many more services that are also the responsibility of government. I along with many are waiting almost with bated breath to see how the US’s new healthcare system is finalised and works out in practice, because we’d all like to think that there is a workable model out there somewhere that is also affordable. Sadly, I very much doubt it and I suspect that it will have so many shortcomings that you, like us, will still need health insurance to receive any decent quality of service.
The one exception to all this is Dubai. But that country virtually floats on oil and is in any event the currently preferred playground of multi-billionaires. I doubt if that formula would transort to the UK, or the US.
AF…morning and it is early……Thanx for the input…I made my statement about health crae being a right only because I feel that this country’s needs should be met before we spread the cash anywhere else. I would like my taxes to go to health and not to killing people around the world. I have had this discussion in the past about what a state should or should not be responsible for.
Another fact that is missing from the cost debate is that if we have a Medicare like system and the people pay into it…there will be revenue generated and the CBO report that is used to fuel the opposition on the cost does not take any income into the equation. Also the Social Security and Medicare is paid for by payroll taxes and after $100,000 no one has to pay any more…..if that changed then there would be enough money to fund this operation.
I would also like to see a reral debate on the issue and not the BS spread daily by the GOP and its people.
As always..I appreciate your participation and look forward to your input.
I take your points and, of course, you’re right in theory at least. However, I can pretty much guarantee that the problem you will find once all the BS has cleared away and something is finally agreed is that reality never matches theory. The numbers WON’T add up and it WILL become a bottomless pit.
I have no idea how to solve this problem and I do accept that it is something that HAS to be solved. However – good luck!
@hoboduke: I understand the sentiment, but it’s presumably HIS money, so what’s it got to do with anyone else?
Morning AF…..yep something has got to be done….I predict that it will be some form of co-op……Obama has left himself open to claim victory with the public option if a co-op is the final plan….just my thought.
You could well be right at that.
We are glad the President has lowered the cost of cutting off feet! The AMA confirmed that they won’t charge $30,000! They confirmed it is only around $585! President saved us a lot already! Glad he said he won’t pull plug on Granny! She gets mad if the TV is off!
I wish Ted Kennedy would volunteer to be an example. If he wouldn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on extending his life, so many people needing health care could have used that money! If there was a review panel, such selfish indulgences are less likely.
Hi hoboparty and thanx for stopping by….you made a good point about Kennedy and his situation…I am working on a post about that very thing…please stop by and read it….be ready by next week.
I do not mind all the opposition to the health bill, but most of it is made up….it is hard to have a good debate when part of the conversation is out right lies….from both sides.
To be honest, there needs to be reform at all levels including the people who are receiving the health care. However, why should other parts of the world not having health care preclude the concept of health care being a right? There are parts of the world where there is no freedom of speech. Should that mean that freedom of speech is not a right? I think part of this debate should be whether or not that health care should be a right or a privilege. Why not propose an amendment to the constitution and let the debate ensue?
Here is something I would like to see answered. If health care should not be a right, why should insurance companies have the right to make health care decisions that can benefit their bottom line? Shouldn’t health care decisions be between the doctor and the patient?
Nothing is perfect, there is going to be more demand than what can be supplied. A number of the arguments against the democrats proposals are issues that we already have. Rationing? Have it. Death panels? Have them.
Terrant….thanx for the input and I agree with you…hopefully we will have someone who does not and you may get your answer.
I didn’t say it wasn’t right – I said it’s debatable whether it’s A right – something entirely different and even then, maybe it should be – I was only asking the question and pointing out that America is not the centre of everyone’s universe. Then again, who ordained that ANYTHING is a right? Where do you want to start on THAT debate? If the air becomes unbreathable, you’ll die along with the rest of us, where are your “rights” then?
You are so right…and just ask any American…they think they ARE the universe….forgive my sarcasm…..You also correct….the philosophical debate on what is a “right”and could keep us both really busy until we walk into that light at the end of the tunnel….sorry, had to inject a little humor….I do appreciate your comments please keep them coming…have a day…..
To be honest, there needs to be reform at all levels including the people who are receiving the health care. However, why should other parts of the world not having health care preclude the concept of health care being a right? There are parts of the world where there is no freedom of speech. Should that mean that freedom of speech is not a right? I think part of this debate should be whether or not that health care should be a right or a privilege. Why not propose an amendment to the constitution and let the debate ensue?
Here is something I would like to see answered. If health care should not be a right, why should insurance companies have the right to make health care decisions that can benefit their bottom line? Shouldn't health care decisions be between the doctor and the patient?
Nothing is perfect, there is going to be more demand than what can be supplied. A number of the arguments against the democrats proposals are issues that we already have. Rationing? Have it. Death panels? Have them.; To be honest, there needs to be reform at all levels including the people who are receiving the health care. However, why should other parts of the world not having health care preclude the concept of health care being a right? There are parts of the world where there is no freedom of speech. Should that mean that freedom of speech is not a right? I think part of this debate should be whether or not that health care should be a right or a privilege. Why not propose an amendment to the constitution and let the debate ensue?
Here is something I would like to see answered. If health care should not be a right, why should insurance companies have the right to make health care decisions that can benefit their bottom line? Shouldn't health care decisions be between the doctor and the patient?
Nothing is perfect, there is going to be more demand than what can be supplied. A number of the arguments against the democrats proposals are issues that we already have. Rationing? Have it. Death panels? Have them.;;