The Death Book for Veterans ( Archived) (11)

"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?


Last I heard the WSJ was considered to be reliable. Any disabled vets care to put in their two cents?

Sorry, forgot the link:

The document in question:

You appear to be doing all the talking here. I guess this must be a subject close to you.

Very much so.

I was raised around a large number of elderly disabled people. I was taught that they were as normal and as important, if not more important than the reat of us. The combat Vets deserved extra respect.

In addition to my wife there are/were many friends and family members with varying mental and physical disabilities. In the twenty or so years I’ve seen more and more of them treated like second-class citizens because of those disabilities.

As a friend pointed out one time if you’re not old or disabled now, odds are you will be one day.

I literally came within inches of becoming a paraplegic in an on the job accident fifteen years ago. If I had, and some SOB had placed something along the lines of “Your life Choices” in front of me I would have knifed them.

I don’t begrudge anyone who has a different idea about how they would deal with their own aging process or disability but I take great exception to anyone that tries to convince them they are better off dead especially when it comes from someone with a financial interest.

Thanks Tom I figured there may have been a miscommunication. When over tired I don’t make myself as clear as I think I do.

Very true words on disability and Vets. Korea era man I know had a letter in the paper back after Gulf1 pointing out they had PTSD back then but no one talked about it. Likewise with many disabled in society, especially the less visible disabilities, it is often the case there should more wonder at the effort made and what is achieved.

Some friend in the disability community feel very nervous about the way the wind is blowing now. It’s not about Reps or Dems, It’s about the mindset in Medibiz and the media being transferred to the general public.