Far-Right Fearmongering on Death is Nothing New

Fear is what the far right is. Fear is what they do. The same people who bring you fear and misinformation about sexuality education, contraception, family planning and abortion are once again stirring up fear about death.

"We have nothing to fear, but fear itself."

There is no better way to stir up fear than to talk about death -- unless you combine talk about government and death. Most people don't want to think about death. The far right tried this in 1998 and 1999 in Congress when the party that touts "states' rights" tried to overturn the popular will of voters who twice passed Oregon's Death with Dignity law. The far right tried it twice in the federal courts, ultimately losing a 2006 Supreme Court case in a 6-3 decision allowing Oregon's now 12-year-old Death with Dignity law to stand. Last year Washington voters made their Death with Dignity law the top vote getter in the state, at 59%, besting even President Barack Obama.

The last time the far right stirred up public fear about death they used extraordinary means to prevent a husband from carrying out his wife's wishes not to be left in a persistent vegetative state, intervening in a family's personal and private life decision. Remember Terri Schiavo? The GOP lost their House majority after voters saw how they exploited that situation, so for Sarah Palin and others to be scaring people now about a "death panel" in health care reform legislation demonstrates they care less about dying people than they do about cheap political manipulations.

Voters are consistently rejecting far right efforts to stir up fear about death, and at every turn embracing policies that put more control in the hands of terminally ill people by demanding improvements to end-of-life care.

The proposed health care reform allows Medicare to cover a consultation about end-of-life wishes so that individuals and families - if they want to - can make these very personal and private life decisions and put them in writing while they are of sound mind and body. Terri Schiavo had only told her husband, never written her wishes down, thus opening the door for political exploitation.

Fascinating how the far right can cry foul both when Ms. Schiavo's wishes were not in writing, and also when efforts to get them in writing for more people are proposed. Most everyone agreed the silver lining of the Schiavo publicity was more people got Advance Directives, Living Wills, and in other ways communicated their wishes to loved ones when they were not faced with an emergency or incapable of communicating.

When was the last time you were in the hospital for anything and weren't asked to fill out forms about your end-of-life wishes "just in case"? While unnerving contemplating your death while awaiting an outpatient procedure, it makes sense. When was the last time you visited a friend or relative who was close to death without being relieved to learn they had clearly expressed their wishes to the doctors, whatever they might be. Supporting the dying person and honoring their wishes is the goal of all major efforts to improve end-of-life care, and of every friend or family member at a dying person's bedside.

No surprise, the same people who routinely promote misinformation and scare tactics about abortion, contraception and sexuality education are also behind this latest effort to scare you at the end-of-life in order to derail serious health care reform. The Institute for Southern Studies reports that anti-choice Rep. Sonny Isakson (R-GA) was the architect of the bogus "death panel" intended to scare people. Perhaps that's why fellow Georgia Republican Congressman Jack Kingston knew it was a "scare tactic" as he told Bill Maher.

Why is it that in life's most personal and private moments - sexuality, conception, birth and the dying process, the party that says it governs least always governs most? Why does the party of rugged individualists like Sarah Palin never trust individual women to make reproductive health decisions, and why now, do they distrust all of us to know what is best for us and our families when it comes to our death?

Sort of makes you wonder, if they will lie to you about sex, birth and death, what won't they lie to you about?

Comments

[creolechild]

If you are concerned about receiving "real" health care reform in this country, please take the time to watch a video on our current system. The video was created by Oregon physicians who are advocating for the single-payer option. The video is very informative and helped me to gain a better understanding of various aspect of health care, as we know now it.

https://www.madashelldoctorstour.com/Mad_as_Hell_Video.html

These Oregon physicians are in the process of organizing a caravan designed to inform the public about the benefits of the single-payer option. At last count they will be stopping in approximately 23 states, on their way to demonstrate in Washington. They need volunteers and our support. Please spread the word.

[MimiGardner]

I think the republican party is becoming increasingly desperate as shown by the fear tactics regarding health care reform. Five years after Karl Rove promised them a "durable majority" and Grover Norquist told them the democrats would have to get used to acting like neutered cattle, the American people have turned against them. Rather than analyzing their situation and understanding what they could do differently, the republicans have chosen more of the same tactics and ideas that got them into the situation they're in now.

[KStar19]

They lie and scare people because it's really all they can do. Health Care reform will take money from the pockets of the people whispering in their ears. Why not lie? The fear they produce the more power they have over the people they scare.

[LCRover001]

Other than fear the biggest talking point of the opposition to reform is that the Insurance companies can’t compete.

Funny didn't hear any of these guys saying that when their party was pushing for the outsourcing of the manufacturing jobs. What I heard was competition was good, it would be good for the consumers because they would be getting more affordable goods, and those who lose their jobs can be retrained to do something else.

Now these were middle class jobs, but what was good enough for the middle should be for the top. Healthcare reform will provide competition, provide affordable health care for consumers, and those insures who can't compete can be retrained to do something else.

These guys who are spreading the fear are not concerned about what is going to be better for the people they are concerned that their reelection fund donors are going to have less money to give around election time. Because instead of raking in the cash they will have to face some competition that will cause them to have to make some cost saving cuts like giving millions out for campaign contributions.

It's like Big Dan said, "It's all about the money boys. The doe ray me. See ya in the funny papers."

[Eggsackley]

I like your point of view. But, there is something that should be done to promote more competition between insurers. Congress should abolish the archaic state system that confines your insurance market to the state in which you reside. Why do we have, for example, a Blue Cross for the State of New Mexico, and another for the State of Maine? Why not just have one Blue Cross plan, to which all of us could choose to purchase, if it was a better plan?
When it passed ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, using its power under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, Congress recognized the national nature of the insurance business. It clearly has the power to mandate a national market for insurance. It used that power in ERISA to wipe out all of the state common law that had been developed to punish insurers who acted in bad faith to deny coverage, and replace it by an ineffective federal remedy. That opened the door to the present practice of systematic denials of health care that hurts so many people today. That's exactly (eggsackley?) what the insurance giants bought and paid for through political payola. But they don't want more competition, even among themselves. It's no wonder they are investing so much money in lobbying, political payola, and scare tactics, to avoid competition from a government option.

[RobertHenryEller]

Because they're hypocrites?

[TRUE BLUE AMERICAN]

If the "fear" is warranted, like the huge problems that will happen if this stupid healthcare reform bill is passed, is it wrong? Look into getting the truth, which nobody seems able to get out of this administration, and you will find that this bill is not the answer-it's just a government power grab. Many morons will do the wrong thing if it benefits them , even though the long term ramifications are harmful.

[peakbagger]

What are you talking about? What is so stupid about this healthcare bill? I am afraid it is you who cannot get at the truth. If you are so afraid of the government being in charge, please refuse your medicare and social security. I know many who will gladly partake and would appreciate your generosity.

[KStar19]

The administration is doing everything it can to give people as much information as they want. whitehouse.gov has a full Q&A section that outlines everything you could want to know. The problem isn't Obama and his people, the problem is those who keep the truth from being distributed.

The people who scream at the townhall meetings about "Death Panels" and such are not only paid but misinformed. Not only that but the people who seem the most worried about this "government power grab" seem to be the most adamant about staying misinformed.

[Narrowminded]

Are you so gullible as to believe the nonsense you just wrote? It is you libs who pay people to show up and protest (ACORN, UNION THUGS) conservatives actually work and have to take time away from their jobs to make our voices heard.
I challenge you, to show any objective evidence of paid protesters at town hall meetings. These are real working people who are tired of seeing the government steal their freedom. And if you believe the imperial congress will be using this plan you are sadly mistaken, as an example they don’t fall under social security either. The Federal Employees plan they say they are a part of does not have a government plan, it is all private companies who are free to compete for business with others who follow the same rules.
I defy you to show one example of a well run and efficient government agency that we can look to as a model of how they will run healthcare.
Grow up and stop expecting other people to provide you a nanny state from cradle to grave. Take responsibility for yourself and stop whining.

[DIdaho]

Useless though it might be, let me give you an actual truth. I'm a very small business owner. Neither I nor anyone I might employ qualify for a group. As a result, I pay about double what somebody working for the government or any large business pays. Whatever the details of the plan are, just that one thing - allowing me to join a larger group - is a huge first step and will reduce my cost for hiring people.

[Eggsackley]

Exactly. That's why we need the government option. It would put you in a large pool.

[EbonBear]

Another "patriotic" American coward, scared to death of the government to no end and for little reason.

[Narrowminded]

True Blue,

Great Post, but these libs won't read the bill all they want is for someone to take care of them from cradle to grave so that they don't have to think or worry.

They obviously have no initiative to provide for themselves and they want the all powerful nanny state to take money from their neighbors in order to take care of them.

Liberalism the fast lane to slavery.

[creolechild]

Have you read the bill? Just because we're advocating for the right of EVERYONE in this country to have affordable health care---even you---shows that we have more than enough compassion and initiative to fight for what we believe in, as evidenced by the pro-health care rallies springing up across the country.

You had no problem with like-minded individuals such as yourself when they were demonstrating but now it's a problem. Why?

By your logic, you seem to believe there's no problem with the insurance industry gouging hard-working Americans, denying coverage to people who have faithfully paid their premiums for years or refusing to cover individuals who have pre-existing conditions (like acne). Really? Why are you not in opposition to those tactics?

And as far as I know, OUR taxes collectively pays for the services that we receive in this country including postal service, firefighters, police officers, public education, construction of highways and bridges and on and on. You oppose that why?

[creolechild]

"WYMT-TV in Hazard, Kentucky, aired a report on McConnell and health care, showing McConnell telling constituents that he opposes the health care proposal. The reporter then says…

“The Republican leader says he has not read all 1000 pages of the proposal, but says he knows enough about it, saying it will put health care in the government’s hands, and create significant cuts to Medicare to pay the trillion dollar bill over ten years.”

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/senate-republicans/gop-senate-leader-acknowledges-he-hasnt-read-full-health-care-bill/

Pot, meet kettle...

[LCRover001]

How low can these guys go? I thought trying to scare the elderly with lies was low, but now they have started on the handicapped as well.

Folks terrorism is not a people it is a tactic used by people to use fear to control others to get what they want, words have just as much power as bombs when used correctly.

How are these people different? They haven't harmed anyone, you say. How about the frightened elderly and handicapped, and with the rising level of anger from the fearful the statement should say they haven't harmed anyone yet.

The public and hidden figures who are pushing these lies should face the same charges those who yell fire in crowded theaters, because what they are doing is the same thing.

These are lies and the liars who are pushing them should be held accountable for their actions.

[Eggsackley]

Good analogy. Why not expand the War Crimes concept of Crimes Against Humanity to business entities? Why not hold the corporate criminals personally accountable?

[johnwinner]

The new GOP health care plan carries an explicit promise in its preamble: "Death being an invention of the devil's as punishment for inferior types, white people are hereby prohibited from dying."

[bronceye]

We had 7 1/2 yrs. of-there is a "They" who want to kill your children and grandchildren. Now, the repubes are proudly saying-there is a "They" who want to kill your parents and grandparents. Are we stupid or too fearful?

[NoFooling]

Ironic that the people claiming to be the most religious seem to be the most afraid of death.

Ironic that the people claiming to want small government and personal sovereignty seem to want the government actively intruding in people's bedrooms and hospital rooms.

Ironic that the people claiming to fear government panels rationing health care haven't seemed to notice that the current insurance companies all have panels of non-medical personnel who ration health care and make treatment rejections independently of a "customer's" personal physician.

But in a way, it's understandable. Reality is much harder to process than rhetoric. Understanding and accepting reality takes effort, intellect, and personal responsibility. Latching onto the rhetoric of others is easier, and comes with an easy-out for blame and denial.

[Kiri sute gomen]

It all makes sense if you consider them as con-men.

[billhodges]

This is were the people are seeking information. How can Fox be the big demon if more people watch it than any of the other cable news outlets? They must be doing something right. Beck is on at 5 PM and he is killing MSNBC & CNN. WHY is that, could it be because he has hit a note with the citizens of our country? You should listen carefully to what he has to say before you condem him.

CABLE NEWS RACE
NITE OF AUG 10, 2009

FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,814,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 3,118,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,417,000
FOXNEWS GRETA 2,388,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 1,988,000
FOXNEWS SHEP SMITH 1,833,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 1,243,000
MSNBC MADDOW 1,082,000
CNNHN GRACE 875,000
CNN KATHY GRIFFIN 810,000
MSNBC HARDBALL 710,000

[Lahonda]

If it has to be explained to you what is wrong with their drivel, then go get your soul checked.

They're as un-American as they seem.

[EbonBear]

Jerry Springer did massive numbers too (and Beck is about the same thing). Ratings have nothing to do with quality.

Also, those are absolute numbers. In the most important 18-34 advertising demographic, Olbermann and Maddow are not that far behind Bill-O.

[Zudliac]

I feel sorry for people who need their opinions to be fed to them like this. Turn off the TV, look around, and use your own brain. Reality is obvious to people who can see and think for themselves. People brainwashed by demagoguery will all say the same things at the same time, right down to the syntax. This is group-think, just like any other cult. People seek out media that simply reinforces their prejudices, facing reality or contrasting opinions objectively is too hard and scary. Demagogues help people channel their fear and confusion into hateful aggression.

[JWheels]

One factual problem I have with this article is regarding Rep. Isakson. He has clearly stated in numerous interviews that he strongly strongly supports making end of life counseling available to Americans. He called Palin's death panel nonsense "nuts."

[Rimser]

Thank you. I thought I remembered reading that before. In fact, wasn't Rep. Isakson one of the sponsors of legislation allowing Medicare to pay for such counseling?

[EbonBear]

Yes, he was. He's been pushing for similar measures for years.

[Jefferson78]

What is truly scary is the lies being put out by Congress and the White House. They are desperate to push their plan into place and know that the vast majority of Americans are against it.

[Evergladesgirl]

What exactly are you talking about? Sarah's "pants on fire" lie has been debunked. The only other lies I've heard have been from those on TV or radio, not Congress or the White House.

[JWheels]

Except for the 71% of Americans who are FOR it.

[TRUE BLUE AMERICAN]

71% are for reform, not this reform....

[WilliamP]

Well stated. The Right is all for states' rights and preserving freedom--except when states make laws that they don't like or people try to exercise freedoms that they don't like. And these lies form most of their party lines. When they start getting as bold as they have over health care, I hope more people will be fed up to the point that they start to expose the bold hypocrasy in ways that their followers can't ignore.

[Lee323]

"Why is it that in life's most personal and private moments - sexuality, conception, birth and the dying process, the party that says it governs least always governs most?"

Great question.

My answer in a nutshell: "Manifest destiny" for fundamental Christian morality. No tolerance for Natives.

[janejoad]

Exactly.

[taptaptap]

Great answer.

[Lahonda]

...born into the fold.

[Konnie]

and nothing in betweenthose moments for the currently living....­......that­'s all personal responsibility stuff.....­....that just pull up your bootstraps­..........­..i got mine, and i ain't sharin'...­...but i will tell you how you should live,
right after i get done whomppin on your soul.