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.

[netmilsmom]

I shut down Digg and YouTube posters with that line.

[Moose Burger]

The real face of the Schiavo fight is finally shown.

[lonestar]

Let the C-I-C lead them in refusing medical treatment.

[Yorktownpatriot]

Sarge, absolutely you can!
Thanks for your service to our nation!
Its time to drive the jackboot into these anti-American
asshats keisters!
Can’t wait til 9-11-9-13 in DC.
More than tea is brewing.

Yorktown

[netmilsmom]

How many FReepers agreed with the government on the Schiavo case?

I’ll use the line that they throw at MI all the time. You get what you deserve.

[penelopesire]

That’s the spirit!

GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL OF OUR VETS!

[penelopesire]

Did you read the link at the WSJ?

(snip)

“Who is the primary author of this workbook? Dr. Robert Pearlman, chief of ethics evaluation for the center, a man who in 1996 advocated for physician-assisted suicide in Vacco v. Quill before the U.S. Supreme Court and is known for his support of health-care rationing.

“Your Life, Your Choices” presents end-of-life choices in a way aimed at steering users toward predetermined conclusions, much like a political “push poll.” For example, a worksheet on page 21 lists various scenarios and asks users to then decide whether their own life would be “not worth living.”

The circumstances listed include ones common among the elderly and disabled: living in a nursing home, being in a wheelchair and not being able to “shake the blues.” There is a section which provocatively asks, “Have you ever heard anyone say, ‘If I’m a vegetable, pull the plug’?” There also are guilt-inducing scenarios such as “I can no longer contribute to my family’s well being,” “I am a severe financial burden on my family” and that the vet’s situation “causes severe emotional burden for my family.”

When the government can steer vulnerable individuals to conclude for themselves that life is not worth living, who needs a death panel?”

Good lord...this is PURE EVIL!!

[FourPeas]

I've had to sit with two close relations, watch them die, and advocate on their behalf. Neither had any end of life directives. I was not challenged in any way regarding my decisions. The doctors WILL NOT do as they please if there is no directive in place. This is the sort of scare tactics that liberals use to force people to hand over their freedoms to the government.

[afnamvet]

BTTT! The Air Force vets I know feelin’ the same way. Yes , we are ALL armed and capable.

[Freedom2specul8]

Thank you so much. I got so frustrated I had to walk away after reading it. It’s bad enough the vets don’t get enough treatment and benefits as it is. This is just beyond belief, and what do we do to fix it?

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

Off topic, but this "booklet" is disgusting, but worth reading. Link in the article.

[afnamvet]

Richard, please ping your lists. Thanks.

[timydnuc]

Thank you, and thank God for the names on that Wall, they gave the ultimate and it’s my job to fight for them. I owe them my life and I’ll never forget it.

[wagglebee]

Moral Absolutes Ping!

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[timydnuc]

afnamvet, keep your powder dry, we just might need it.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

I’ve used the VA regularly since 2002. At that time they requested a living will, because I had surgery at that time. I gave them a paper copy of one that has been in effect since long before then.....which basically states my will should I become incommunicado, specifically designates a family member to speak for me.....family member knows intimately what my attitude and wishes are in case her authority needs to be invoked in my behalf.

Once submitted, the document was never mentioned again (even in connection with a couple of procedures I’ve had done since then) until two months ago.....computer suddenly sez I have no living will on file so here have this little brochure with a special telephone number on it.....which I promptly tossed out.

I have no doubt that the VA has tossed all or many already-existing living wills in order to bring them into compliance with their little ghoulish program. Until today I had no knowledge of the questionairre linked.....but you can bet I’m going to ask every Vet I can during the next visits I make to the VAMC

[afnamvet]

Roger that. ; )

[penelopesire]

“This is just beyond belief, and what do we do to fix it?”

EXPOSE IT!! We should send this to Drudge and all the talk guys. We should also make copies of this page from Isra Pundit or the WSJ link and pass hundreds out at the townhalls! We can also call the VA tomorrow and raise holy hell!

[Nachum]

Thanks for the link to this Kim4VRWC's. It is up on the site now-

The list, ping

[antisocial]

“Ugh, I’m getting depression simply from reading the form.”

Yep, I think I’ll load up some guns and head to the shootin’
range, that always seems to get me in a more up-beat mood.
:>)