I don’t have any grandfather’s left. My mom’s dad died when I was very young. My dad’s dad half a dozen years later. But my wife’s grandfather is witty as ever, and I relish the time I’ve had to get to know him. He was stationed at the same air field as the Enola Gay during WWII and has some amazing stories (and pictures) to share. Hundreds of times my wife’s family has heard his stories about the war, a trip to Mount Rushmore, fishing trips near the falls, or the family dog who listened so well (“one word out of me and the dog would do as he pleased”). But the stories are all new too me. And even when I’ve heard them before, I hang on to every word. A man among men, and part of a generation fading away… he is a real hero and a real American who understands the hard work and dedication it took to keep our nation safe and the world free. His hearing might not be as strong, but his wit is as quick as ever. My wife’s grandfather is truly a treasure with much life and lessons still to share.
A few years ago that life wasn’t so certain. Without much warning or notice, he had a heart attack. The heart attack led to major heart surgery and likely a few mini strokes. It was tough on the family and my wife (who at the time was just my girlfriend). It was tough on me. This strong, great, independent man might have been taken too soon if not for the remarkable care he received.
Every time I hear the plans for ObamaCare, I think back to this strong, humble American hero. In his eighties and a lifelong smoker, no oversight board would have approved such major surgery. No bean counter would have allowed the resources to be expended that saved his life. The health care proposals are clear… the government will decide who warrants care and who does not. Some political appointee, board or czar will decide who lives and who dies.
If you don’t believe me, just listen to the actual words President Obama himself spoke during the ABC Health Care Infomercial. Read the language in the stimulus bill and health care proposals about oversight boards set up to review care decisions. And look to Canada, France, England and other nations where care is rationed and the elderly or the ill are often told they are too sick for treatment or too likely to die to warrant a chance to live. Look at the thousands of patients who come here for care, because the waiting list in their country is nothing more than a sentence to death. No, you won’t hear much about this in the mainstream media, but the information is there.
Still not convinced? Pay close attention to the words of Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, who is Special Adviser for Health Policy and sits on President Obama’s Council of Comparative Effectiveness Research. Dr. Emanuel is also brother to President Obama’s Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel. In 1996, Dr. Emanuel and two colleagues had an article published in The Hastings Center Report that advocated for “communitarianism” to guide decisions on who gets care and who does not. If the government determines that a patient would not be a productive citizen following treatment, then according to Special Adviser on Health Policy Dr. Emanuel, the government should deny the patient care. Keep that in mind next time you hear President Obama say some people might just need a pill instead of life-saving surgery.
Do you think Dr. Emanuel would believe that in his 80s my wife’s grandfather would be a productive citizen following major heart surgery and mini-strokes? I’m not sure who gets to decide what the definition of productive is, but it certainly shouldn’t be any of the clowns in Washington.
Because he was treated, my wife’s grandfather was able to see his only granddaughter get married, his only grandson become engaged, and make jokes about lending his cane when his son had a bike accident. And he’s been able to tell countless stories about his time in the war and his life growing up… stories that I will never forget and many Americans would do well to hear.
There is a face to national health care, socialized medicine, Obama Care… or whatever you want to call it. The ideal of government care sounds nice but you have to pay attention to the details. The details make all the difference in the world. My wife’s grandfather is one of those details as are hundreds of thousands of other seniors or one-time ill patients whose lives carry on to this day. Their opportunity to live was determined by the skill of their doctor, not some bean counter’s estimation of their worth.
In a week, my wife’s grandfather he will celebrate his 90th birthday. In less than three weeks his only grandson will be married. And in 10-11 weeks he will meet his first great grandchild. I can’t quantify the contribution he has made to society over the past few years, but it was not insignificant. And regardless, wasn’t the time he served our nation contribution enough? We are all immeasurably but immensely richer for these past few years with him in our lives. How dare some government worker, politician or bureaucrat have the power to take that away.
So when you see me protesting ObamaCare Wednesday… when you read about the letters and the phone calls I make… know that I am doing it for this great American and the countless American heroes like him who have earned our appreciation and the right to make their own decisions about the quality of their lives. I protest for the next grandfather that has a heart attack. I protest for all the men and women currently fighting for our country who one day will also go gray. And I protest for my child who is not yet born. A child who will get to meet his great grandfather thanks to the care of skilled doctors and a system that let him, not the government, decide if he warranted care.
This is the land of the free. Men like my wife’s grandfather have shed their blood and risked their lives to secure that freedom. No politician, bureaucrat, or bean-counter should ever be empowered to take that freedom away.
My wife’s grandfather will meet his first great grandson in a few short months. No one can put a price on that. A few generations apart, there is no better reason to oppose government care than the two of them.
It was another great article, and I hate to pick one line out to harp on, because everyone needs to read the whole article.
This comment, “This is the land of the free. Men like my wife’s grandfather have shed their blood and risked their lives to secure that freedom. No politician, bureaucrat, or bean-counter should ever be empowered to take that freedom away.” Is such a powerful statement and I think sums up what the American public is feeling about this bill.