The phrase "life unworthy of life" was a Nazi designation for the segments of populace which had no right to live and thus were to be "euthanized". The term included people with serious medical problems and those considered grossly inferior according to racial policy of the Third Reich, This concept formed an important component of the ideology of Nazism and eventually helped lead to the Holocaust. How the killing was carried out is described in the article, Action T4. The T4 program is thought to have developed from the Nazi Party's policy of "racial hygiene", the belief that the German people needed to be "cleansed" of "racially unsound" elements, which included people with disabilities. According to this view, the euthanasia program represents an evolution in policy toward the later Holocaust of the Jews of Europe. Blitzer: “A healthy, 30-year-old young man has a good job, makes a good living, but decides: You know what? I'm not going to spend 200 or 300 dollars a month for health insurance, because I'm healthy; I don't need it,” Blitzer said. “But you know, something terrible happens; all of a sudden, he needs it. Who's going to pay for it, if he goes into a coma, for example? Who pays for that? Paul: “In a society that you accept welfarism and socialism, he expects the government to take care of him,” Paul replied. Blitzer asked what Paul would prefer to having government deal with the sick man. Paul: “What he should do is whatever he wants to do, and assume responsibility for himself,” Paul said. ”My advice to him would have a major medical policy, but not before —" Blitzer: “But he doesn't have that,” Blitzer said. “He doesn't have it and he's — and he needs — he needs intensive care for six months. Who pays?” Paul: “That's what freedom is all about: taking your own risks.,” Paul said, repeating the standard libertarian view as some in the audience cheered. Blitzer: “But congressman, are you saying that society should just let him die,” Blitzer asked. Audience member: “Yeah,” came the shout from the audience. That affirmative was repeated at least three times. The Nazi's motivation for euthanizing people unworthy of life was to purify the German race. The motivating factor for letting sick people die in the current view of the Tea Party is to save money. Hum?
Thanks for posting this. It's a perfect example of how calls for personal responsibilty and self reliance can become twisted into something evil. I don't expect that type of person to understand the connection, or how that attitude will result in the deaths of the poor, sick, and elderly. They are too used to ignoring that fact, and are too determined to save the country a buck, to care what happens to people who are unable to afford the care they need to survive. Why is it we are always doomed to repeat history?
Read the scenario again. In this hypothetical the guy has a good job (I read that to mean a good income & access to benefits) but simply chooses to be irresponsible. How is that acceptable? What would keep everyone in the country from saying no to available healthcare insurance? Heck, take it a step further. If you aren't going to be responsible for your actions, why save money? The gov't will provide fully in retirement, right? Why budget? If you sqaunder your money the gov't will pay your bills, right? Now before you accuse me of being in favor of letting someone die, I'll tell you you are wrong. I don't want anyone to die. There should be a safety net (there's that word again) but it should be so unattractive that no one would really want to rely on it. Oh yeah, the guy should be required to pay back every penny of the bills he amassed. Not eberyone can ride in the cart, someone has to be pulling.
Blitzer was using a straw man argument to try to embarrass the Congressman. The obviously correct answer is that the individual would receive the care he needs but be billed in full for it.
I agree and came to the same conclusion after hearing the question. How come nobody on stage came to that conclusion? It was a bad example. He should have asked about a child born with a severe birth defect that required hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in medical care that obviously even people with insurance can't afford. Then who pays? I think the question was a softball.
I found this interesting: Though the precise definition of Fascism may be argued, I am talking here of Fascism as defined as the corporate control of government. Or as the Godfather of Fascism, Benito Mussolini, once summed it up: “Fascism should more properly be called corporatism, since it is the merger of state and corporate power.” In the early 1900s, the Italians who invented the term Fascism also described it as “estato corporativo,” meaning: the corporate state.
I will let you win the battle of the quotes. I did not pay much attention to the words of Mussolini. Why you would take any heed in anything he says escapes me.
Because he IS the father of Fascism. He created it. It didn't exist before he made it a form of government. He would know more than anyone else what Fascism is. How does that escape you?
I guess it "escapes" me about as well as knowing that reverend Wright was in charge of BO's religious upbringing and Ayers was responsible for starting his political career. However, I doubt I will be citing either for religious or political references.
