Disposable Society
September 28th 2008 12:48
There was a time, once, when quality was the watchword in production and frugality was the key to economic success. During that time, people had big families, long standing traditions and multi-generational homes. When did that old way of life start to fade?
It seems to me that it had many small starting points. Manufacturing became more and more automated, costing some jobs, lowering the price and quality of merchandise. It eventually became easier to replace items than to repair them. Things like TV's for example were designed to last only until the warranty wore out. Cars are seldom kept longer than it takes to pay them off. The current "crisis" notwithstanding, it became easier to get credit if you were already in debt than if you weren't. Go figure... People felt quite comfortable with making changes like new furniture for example. After a few years of having the same living room set or bedroom set, they can buy brand new ones, often hauling the old things to the dump. It never occurs to some people that their "throw aways" might be needed by someone else. (One young man I know recently threw all his computer components in the garbage when he bought new ones. It never occurred to him to give them to someone who needed them.)
The Disposable Society didn't confine itself to objects, naturally. With the invention of the birth control pill, personal behavior became less important and responsibility was easily shifted from the priorities of the past to the age of convenience. Then came abortion, all legal and socially acceptable. Personal behavior ceased to matter and human life became even cheaper than an old TV. As a society, we merrily traded quantity and convenience for quality.
But even quality is now in question. Everyone is so anxious to have socialized medicine and considers it their "right." Newsflash!!! It isn't a "right." Nowhere in the Constitution does it say anyone has the "right" to medical care, an education, abortion, or any of the other things that we take for granted these days. Along with socialized medicine comes some pretty unsavory side-effects. Like "quality of life." In the UK, for example, (as well as in the US) it can be a death sentence very easily. To many people it's no big deal to decide that a pre-born child won't have the perfect life, making it acceptable to kill the child. Mental or physical defects lower the "quality" of the new life. Poverty lowers it. Unmarried mother lowers it. Being unwanted by the biological mother lowers it. So have an abortion and improve the quality of your own life, while using the "quality" of the baby's life as an excuse, right? If an illness or injury brings the victim's "quality of life" down, euthanasia is considered acceptable in many places. (See the link below.)
Socialized medicine has done it's nasty job everywhere it is practiced, folks. A good friend of mine lived in a country where socialized medicine is the law of the land. He needed surgery, but was not allowed to have it because he was at the end of a long list and not considered a priority. Instead, the "doctors" decided to make him wait and fed him increasing doses of painkillers (containing acetaminophen) which ultimately killed him. The "medical care" was "free" as is all socialized medicine. It was also fatal.
Go ahead and call me "old fashioned" if you like. But there was a time, once, when people mattered. The very young, the very old, the sick, the disabled all had the right to stay alive. Families cared for their own. Instead of throwing away something that was still usable, it was given to someone who could use it. In my family, we practice the old ways. We're frugal, honest, close-knit and charitable. No one has a "perfect" life, folks. But everyone should have the right to live the life that God gave them. My 78 yearold father-in-law and my 11 year old grandson are great pals and enjoy every minute they can share. We were meant to learn from those older than we are and to teach those younger. We were meant to nurture the babies and care of the old. We were never supposed to have a "disposable society" that only cares for it's own selfish needs while neglecting all others. Think about it.
Really Long Link
It seems to me that it had many small starting points. Manufacturing became more and more automated, costing some jobs, lowering the price and quality of merchandise. It eventually became easier to replace items than to repair them. Things like TV's for example were designed to last only until the warranty wore out. Cars are seldom kept longer than it takes to pay them off. The current "crisis" notwithstanding, it became easier to get credit if you were already in debt than if you weren't. Go figure... People felt quite comfortable with making changes like new furniture for example. After a few years of having the same living room set or bedroom set, they can buy brand new ones, often hauling the old things to the dump. It never occurs to some people that their "throw aways" might be needed by someone else. (One young man I know recently threw all his computer components in the garbage when he bought new ones. It never occurred to him to give them to someone who needed them.)
The Disposable Society didn't confine itself to objects, naturally. With the invention of the birth control pill, personal behavior became less important and responsibility was easily shifted from the priorities of the past to the age of convenience. Then came abortion, all legal and socially acceptable. Personal behavior ceased to matter and human life became even cheaper than an old TV. As a society, we merrily traded quantity and convenience for quality.
But even quality is now in question. Everyone is so anxious to have socialized medicine and considers it their "right." Newsflash!!! It isn't a "right." Nowhere in the Constitution does it say anyone has the "right" to medical care, an education, abortion, or any of the other things that we take for granted these days. Along with socialized medicine comes some pretty unsavory side-effects. Like "quality of life." In the UK, for example, (as well as in the US) it can be a death sentence very easily. To many people it's no big deal to decide that a pre-born child won't have the perfect life, making it acceptable to kill the child. Mental or physical defects lower the "quality" of the new life. Poverty lowers it. Unmarried mother lowers it. Being unwanted by the biological mother lowers it. So have an abortion and improve the quality of your own life, while using the "quality" of the baby's life as an excuse, right? If an illness or injury brings the victim's "quality of life" down, euthanasia is considered acceptable in many places. (See the link below.)
Socialized medicine has done it's nasty job everywhere it is practiced, folks. A good friend of mine lived in a country where socialized medicine is the law of the land. He needed surgery, but was not allowed to have it because he was at the end of a long list and not considered a priority. Instead, the "doctors" decided to make him wait and fed him increasing doses of painkillers (containing acetaminophen) which ultimately killed him. The "medical care" was "free" as is all socialized medicine. It was also fatal.
Go ahead and call me "old fashioned" if you like. But there was a time, once, when people mattered. The very young, the very old, the sick, the disabled all had the right to stay alive. Families cared for their own. Instead of throwing away something that was still usable, it was given to someone who could use it. In my family, we practice the old ways. We're frugal, honest, close-knit and charitable. No one has a "perfect" life, folks. But everyone should have the right to live the life that God gave them. My 78 yearold father-in-law and my 11 year old grandson are great pals and enjoy every minute they can share. We were meant to learn from those older than we are and to teach those younger. We were meant to nurture the babies and care of the old. We were never supposed to have a "disposable society" that only cares for it's own selfish needs while neglecting all others. Think about it.
Really Long Link
| 141 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Socialized medicine works quite well in Australia.
What country was your friend in? What kind of surgery did he require? Did the country not have private hospitals where he could choose to pay upfront for elective surgery?
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Anonymous
I've been on a daily does of panadol for the past 6years, and so far so good- perhaps this 'friend' committed suicide unable to bear another minute of your insanity!
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
was he waiting for a hip replacement or something?
did he die from a paracetamol overdose?
or was it the liver deteriorating due to drug ingestion over a very long time?
sounds like he should have gotten a second opinion on the pain management, combination drugs that include paracetamol/acetaminophen are usually extremely difficult to overdose on - as someone with chronic pain i sympathise with your friends struggle
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
I live very close to the Canadian border, and I know lots of people who have needed emergency surgeries who will travel to Canada to have them done, not simply because of the free care, but because of the quality of attention that they receive. I realize that it is pretty unethical to travel to a foreign country to take advantage of their Health Care system, but to some Americans, it is the only way they will receive the care that they need. Which I feel is the saddest part of all.
In the United States, people with life threatening conditions are neglected all of the time. Only, here its not because of waiting lists, its because they either aren't insured or because their insurance denies their claims. People who have paid their hard earned dollars to make sure that they and their families are covered often find out that their insurance won't cover necessary treatments.
I couldn't agree more.
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
I guess that sums it up nicely, S.L., there are some very ill informed folks here giving totally 'wrong' medical opinions about the LIVER, which is a complex organ and host to many complaints, not all stemming from substance abuse, but PANADOL for such patients is a big NO NO.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
I understand that the costs of medical treatment need to be brought down to a manageable level. But as long as people like John Edwards are allowed to force frivilous lawsuits and malpractice insurance is sky-high, the prices will continue to rise.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I am appreciative that we have a health system that enables me to be treated for free, but Ive never been cured. My free health care only extends so far. When they move me up to speacialists, and I say I dont have the money, I get told "If it mattered that much to you, you would find the money" the financial crises notwithstanding, I guess. I had a rich friend - on private health care - utterly astounded at the injuries I live with, she asked if I was going to third world countries for my care. I said no, its just medicare....But all the doctors are from third world countries....Does that count?
I am in agreement with you here SL - I miss the old days. I love choice, and I love freedom, and I do disagree with you sometimes, but here, I totally agree. I hate that things break and quality has been abolished.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
I was born with collapsed lungs, and spent the first 6 months of my life in hospital. From then on I battled with Asthma and chronic chest infections (Bronchiolitis)... I then developed a calcium deficiency, as a result of both antibiotics used to treat infection, and the steroids used to combat my asthma.
I was always treated under the free (Medicare) system in Australia, and despite this, I have developed into a healthy adult. The care and attention I received was second to none and my health today is a testament to this.
I get really annoyed with people bagging out the system, yet unwilling to seek a second opinion... if you sit back when life slaps you in the face, you might as well go dig yourself the ditch! When faced with a patient, not all doctors will be equipped to diagnose your acute condition and if that;s the case find one that is!
Just like people in any industry, some are just 'better' than others; would you take your car back to a mechanic that did a dodgy job? No. So why would you take your body back to someone whom you felt was just as inept?
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
you must admit you have to ingest a very high amount to overdose, its 200mg/kg in a 24 hour period or single dose which equates to 30 or 40 pills for most adults - that is a huge amount, and if you are taking a combination drug the codeine or oxycodone would make you sick long before the paracetamol does
i chose to go to a private hospital for my sinus surgery last year rather than wait the 8 months - it wasnt urgent surgery the time was just convenient for me with work - and the private hospital only cost about $1500 to pay upfront, the surgery itself was still covered through medicare
if i didnt have the money i could have waited and had it done for free within the year - we also have the choice to get private health insurance if we want to
theres plenty of choices in Australia, but we keep the safety net for the people who will never be able to come up with the money on their own
ive never had to wait more than 3 weeks to see a specialist and i see specialists all the time, usually i can see a specialist the same week
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Yes, I do agree the damaging dose is high, but it is an accumalative drug. It is a common thing to have it build up in your system to a dangerous level. Most people popping panadol for headaches are working up to that level every day. Not to mention it can make pain worse as well.
Yes, I mixed it with codiene.
I never said there wasnt choice - I said I was happy that I am able to be treated for free because I certainly cant afford anything else. I never said getting into speacialists was a problem, paying for them is.
I had similar problems to Alt_Ed as I was born not breathing and heart not beating. I have seen that many different doctors but even though Im ok, I deal with chronic issues. Im just saying guys, it aint perfect. People are dying. And yet if you have the money, they cant throw treatment at you fast enough. If you are in the waiting room with your medicare card....Well. You wait.
The point of this post was that people dont matter the way they used to, that we have lost something in this new world, and I have believed that for a very long time. I am not looking to get embroiled in a debate about the auzzie health system or the ins and outs of painkillers.
Comment by colocountry
I'm becoming frustrated at the choice of what rates as worthy of Orble. Sorry to do this on your site but I have trawled, gleaned, winnowed and discerned but I still cant have a direct conversation with 'Big Brother' who decides what rates on a dai;ly Orble basis. Okay I probably have'nt paiid attention but if I go to the 'other' sites' suggested, I quite often get more informed and volatile debate than the sites promoted by Orble's 'Wizard'. Once again I am not denigrating the quality of your rhetoric, but I needed to go to a popular site to make a point. ...Now that I've scrolled up and seen the quality of your comments and the responses, I feel chastened, but at least the boss cocky will see it.
Col
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Your post made interesting reading until it delved into socialized medicine. Then it twisted around somehow. Doesn't privatised medicine "dispose" of those who can't afford it?
Janet
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
And I would assume someone with your experience would have no trouble in getting some of your rhetoric out right??
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Col, as far as I know the way a post gets rated is just by the number of people who read it and comment.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
I am highly opinionated with a firm grip on the difference between right and wrong. I pay more attention to the candidates and the issues than to precise party lines. My facts are just that... FACTS
Thinking like that led to this post. I've often wondered the same thing. Nice job!!!!!
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by TimmyH
Tech News
Can you HACK it?
Genyration
Its alllllll about the new posts people...
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by postmoderncritic
I didn't know you were racist as well as sexist...
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by postmoderncritic
I'm not anonymous, or even 'Anonymous'. If you look up the top, where it says 'Comment by...' you'll see that my Orble identity is intact. My official name is now 'Postmodern Critic', not postmoderncritic, so I can type in 'postmoderncritic' to indicate who it is without leaving a vote on posts I don't find worthy of voting for.
My 'sexist' comment had to do with Kleo's attitudes towards men and women as stated on another post (of Morgan's), and I was referring specifically to her implied paranoia that Western doctors who are originally from developing countries are somehow offering her inferior care as racist.
Ho hum.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Secondly, is there a reason that you feel the need to complain about a comment from another blog that isn't involved with one in question? Maybe you should go to the person who offended you and take it up with them at the time of the offense.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Hi SL.
Hi PMC.
PMC, I honestly believe you like throwing those terms around at people that dont conform to some idea you have about the way humans should behave. I dont blame you, its what everyone does. The point of this post is DISPOSABLE SOCIETY, and we are living in one. The fast movement in the medical centres proves this society is completely disposable. Bring on the suicide booths!
I am sexist. We have established that fact. If it makes me sexist to admit men and women are not equal, that men are stronger physically then yep, Im sexist alright.
Im not racist though. That one jacked me up. I find a lot to admire in other races and cultures. I find reasons enough to hate each person individually without ever once bothering about their skin colour or race.
Im not making any kind of judgement call here, but perhaps you can tell me why the top doctors are usually (notice I said usually, not always?) of a caucasian race? I am NOT saying other races cant be good doctors, of course they can and I could even name some, but there is generally a smaller percentage of other races in the actual top slot of doctor.
Ive had doctors from every race. Believe me, none of them are any good. I hated them all. If you read my posts you'd know I just hate doctors - is there a nice 'isim' for that? Medico -isim?
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
By the way, can you please explain that? Id really like to know what you mean by it.
In the conversation with my friend, I was making a joke. She said, "Where have you been getting treated man, in third world countries?" and my mind flashed through the medical centres, remembering Id never once seen a caucasian doctor. So I quipped, "Nope, but you cant tell - I think all my doctors are from there anyway!!" And we both laughed.
And I dont think the myriad of doctors Ive seen since the day I was born meant to misdiagnose me, the profession on the whole is flawed.
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Um Kleonaptra, seriously... WTF?
I don't agree with this at all! Many of Australia's leading medical professionals are not from a caucasian race. To make a statement such as you have, is little more than a erroneous and flippant generalisation...
Many of Australia's leading experts (in a range of fields from Medicine and Sciences, to Economics, and even Design) are of Asian decent. In Australia we source many skilled workers from overseas, as we simply cannot fill these roles with unskilled Aussie workers.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Um...Alt_Ed....Did you read my comment?
This is exactly what I said, in different words, and I have included a question, which is, Why are the top crop of doctors always percieved to be of a caucasian race?
I readily admit to being racially jaded in the sense that I believe countries like Australia and America have better education systems. Therefore, if Im being treated by someone who barely speaks english, I have little to no faith in their skills. It doesnt matter about the race or skin colour, if they speak english well and are covered in possesions - Westernized, in other words - then I believe they have been through one of our education systems and are therefore better equipped to diagnose me.
Its not right, but if you want to get started on my flaws, thats the tip of the iceberg.
As I said above, as soon as someone wants to call themselves a doctor at all I dont trust them. Im not recounting every single misdiagnosis Ive ever had, but I have my reasons.
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
The way i read it, you've made to dramatically different statements... also American and Australian education system are vastly different, and if you were to gain a Degree in America, it does not infer that you will be eligible for the same qualification should you move to Australia or visa versa...
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I came here to make a comment on disposable society. I have done so.
Just for the record Im a racist sexist serial killing abortionist. Everybody happy now?
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
These are NOT the same questions... they each carry a completley different message- the first you are alluding to 'top doctors' being mainly caucasian, whereas in the later you contradict yourself by asking why people perceive 'top doctors as 'usually being' of a caucasian decent.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by postmoderncritic
I honestly believe you like throwing those terms around at people that dont conform to some idea you have about the way humans should behave.
I wish that were the case, but no, you have made it abundantly clear to me that I am right. And it won't be comfortable for you to read what I go on to say, but that's the price we all have to pay.
Btw, I resent the implication that my observation that Ahmed is homophobic is misplaced. But if you want to talk about that, and your sexist comment (you said you were disgusted by men who couldn't chop wood, etc, which is stereotypically sexist material) we can talk about it somewhere else.
I find a lot to admire in other races and cultures.
Good, it'll help you overcome some prejudices you appear to have.
I find reasons enough to hate each person individually without ever once bothering about their skin colour or race.
Yeah, but it helps, right? Sorry, I can't help but be sarcastic in the light of your comments.
but perhaps you can tell me why the top doctors are usually (notice I said usually, not always?) of a caucasian race?
Which doctors? Doctors in Australia? Around the world?
If you mean doctors around the world, then the quality of professionals in any field is linked directly to their country's economy. They speak English in South Africa, but it's a developing country. They speak Japanese in Japan, but it's a developed country. If I didn't know anything else about them, I would choose the Japanese doctor with limited English skills over the South African one, because there is more money going into the quality of medical training there. A lot of Indians also speak good English, as do a lot of Scandinavians, although it is not the official language of either country. Just some food for thought.
It's fine if you didn't know that SA speaks English, and Indians often have a good grasp of it, but anyone with a basic understanding of world culture knows that Japan is a developed country. By equating English speakers with sounder medical care, you are making a racist assertion by excluding Japan from the list of developed countries.
In either case, as you do not have statistics to back up your claim that 'there are more top doctors who are Caucasian' (and I'm pretty sure you won't find any, so look it up and tell me what you find), this strikes me as your personal opinion, and revealing of your prejudices.
Is there a nice -ism for that?
Probably, but I'd settle for misanthropy.
Can you please explain that?
Sure. You are equating immigrants who work with and by the Australian system, who have spent time here, adapted culturally, and have access to the same facilities that people of different backgrounds have with the less richly funded care that you can find in their country of origin. You are also discriminating against people with a non-Caucasian appearance as being un-Australian, and as 'other'.
Clearly the 'developing country' thing is not of so much importance, as illustrated by my Japan example, it's just the cosmetic benefits of being able to speak sound English that convince you of the doctor's credentials. This is a fundamentally racist view.
covered in possessions
A doctor in ANY country is bound to be materially well off, so I can only conclude that you are referring to people outside the profession of medicine now. I am forced to conclude that you practice 'racial jadedness' towards ANYONE who doesn't speak good English. That is fundamentally racist.
I readily admit to being racially jaded in the sense that I believe countries like Australia and America have better education systems.
Now, I want you to tell me what a better education system has to do with race...
To give you more food for thought, Eastern Europe, with the exception of Greece, is all developing... but they're white! And they don't traditionally speak good English (in their home countries, anyway). It's amazing, isn't it?
You "admit" you are 'racially jaded'... but why? There is nothing to be racially jaded about. Every doctor has a different racial, cultural and educational background, and you cannot position race as the sole determinant of quality without being called racist.
Don't forget that a doctor, in any country, attracts only the most intelligent and disciplined people of the nation.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by postmoderncritic
Guess you're not the upright and proper lady you like to think you are, eh?
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by postmoderncritic
Or is that how you think of everyone who isn't neo-con, like you? Sexually dangerous (exciting)? It's time you looked in the mirror and asked yourself where your willingness to engage with sexual imagery when it's not appropriate is coming from? Perhaps you prefer to deflect responsibility for coming up with such explicit imagery, unprompted?
You're the one bringing up the kind of activity you claim not to want to have anything to do with, dragging the conversation into the gutter - or trying to, anyway.
I have no comments about anal sex play I'm interested in making to you or to anyone on Orble. Yet it's MY standards you're deeming questionable?
And who said anything about my sexual life? Oh, right. YOU. If you truly don't care, then why mention it in the first place?
Trust me, I try to avoid you as much as possible. I will redouble my efforts in the future.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
PMC
I really didnt want to come back here. I gave up on the argument with Alt_ed because it was obvious we were severly and irrepairably miscommunicating. But I think that the same prejudices you say I have, are the same ones you have against me.
What the hell? Since when were we talking about Ahmed? I think I know the post you mean and I did not say a word! I stayed out of that argument. What was the point of bringing that up?
I went back to Morgans post the other day - I never said I was 'disgusted' specifically, its like this -
When attracted to masculinity, Im most tantalized by strong, muscly, capable guys. Henceforth, a skinny emo that cant lift an axe is not going to cut it (pun intended)
On the flipside, lesbians that look masculine - short hair and stocky bodies - dont do a thing for the side of me that likes women. When Im attracted to female, I like what is typically described as a princess.
Now I dont give a flying rats about peoples personal choices, theyre free to make them, but a skinny guy or a big woman is not going to make it with me, and Im sure after me saying that, they wouldnt want to.
I am so glad you said that, so very glad. Never once in my comments did I say or imply that it was anything BUT my own personal opinion! I was actually starting to think, wow, did I get famous overnight? Why do people suddenly care about what I think?
Is it because Im on SL's blog?
Let me just say this. It is impossible to communicate effectively through a computer screen, and I am sure this discussion could be much more enjoyable for us both in different circumstances. You have pre judged me, so it makes no difference what I say. In the same way, I have pre judged you, and its my personal opinion that your lack of labels and lack of definition will bleed into your sense of self leaving you confused about where you really stand. I believe many of the views you have on the world are unrealistic and that is bound to get you hurt.
But, as usual, I only offer my opinion, which means nothing in the scheme of things.
Hopefully one day we can explain ourselves properly.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief