Considered musings and random commentary.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
In memorium, Ted Kennedy
I just read where Teddy Kennedy is too ill to accept a Presidential "Freedom Award". He has championed many causes for this great country, including his hard, hard work to virtually enslave the American populace to socialized health care.
Mr Kennedy has had a long, full life. In honor of him, I think that we should give him a very special benefit... I know that he has plenty of money to afford the best health care, but in his deep concern over health care for the rest of Americans, we should give him the benefit of the legislation he's so in favor of.
The ‘‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009’’ would entitle him to some special "Advance Care Planning", where they will tell him that he's lived a long, full life, how satisfied he must be, and how much of a burden he has become. Then, I think they give him a pamphlet on assisted suicide, and wish him well.
They see him in a week's time, and ask him if he has considered what a legacy he would leave his children and loved ones with happy memories of him being healthy, instead of the pain of the memories of watching him deteriorate. They would give him a pamphlet on living wills and DNR orders.
The next week, they'd tell him that he's taking up too much time, and that he needs to decide soon, otherwise they won't be able to help him.
If he figures out what they're doing, and says that he is not in favor of ending his own life, then they'll tell him that he's being selfish and un-patriotic. They will offer him a prescription, but strangely, it will be for a single dose, with no refills.
If he still doesn't bite, then they'll recommend that he "is not right in the mind" and recommend psychiatric care. Of course, if he refuses that, then he is definitely depressed, in denial, and possibly a danger to himself and others. At this point, he will be committed (on short term basis, of course) and given some specific medications, and further counseled when he's calmed down.
With any luck, they will have talked him into freeing up valuable resources (air, food, scotch, personal space...) and we can get on with honoring his memory posthumously.
Here's to the great Senator Robert Kennedy! And Marylin Monrue.
