"They should die." The words haunt me to this day. I was discussing with a friend from high school about health care, government, and so on. Through the years I have become very liberal, and he has turned quite conservative. I cannot remember the exact question I asked. It was something along the lines of what happens when a person doesn't save enough for retirement or can't afford health care. He responded with three simple words: "They should die."
I was taken aback. Speechless. He soon responded with a lengthier comment, trying to justify his rather shocking statement. Even his long response boiled down to the same simple sentiment: "They should die."
I do NOT consider this to be an acceptable option, and I could not understand how anyone could. Then I realize that this is not only his position, but, quite frankly, a foundation of the Tea Party position (of which he is a proud member).
The Tea Party regularly speaks of capitalism only working if people are allowed to fail. Failure in a business sense is fine; failure in a lot of ways is fine. But when we talk about our health and our lives, failure is not an option. If our elderly failed to save enough, what could they do? What do you do when someone is too old or unhealthy to go back to work?
Death. That was his option, and it was an acceptable option to him. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it. This is the solution he presented though. And I have a feeling this option is acceptable to others in the Tea Party as well. After all, this is the way to "balance" in capitalism. If the demand for health care is too high and raising costs, how do you think they plan to lower them?
This death option seems to be the solution for everything. Food shortages, overpopulation, health care, ANYTHING. Failure is their option, and, don't be fooled, failure is death. No matter how they try to spin it later.
I would've felt like I'm being harsh, but when you hear it from a friend who happens to be a member of the Tea Party's mouth, it really hits hard.