Gone are the simple days when a bill was read by elected officials before it was voted upon or passed out of committee.  Or were there ever such days?  Had HR 3200 been read, Democrats would have known the source of concern for seniors, the disabled and religious.

The Veteran’s Administration has a brochure entitled “Your Life, Your Choices” that was given to some veterans when admitted to the VA hospital system or in VA nursing homes.   It was first published in 1997, and this 52 page book was promoted as the VA system’s living will document.

In 2000 when the Bush administration reviewed this document, it was suspended, but has resurfaced once again.  The suspension was warranted due to the nature of some of the end-of-life information it provided.  It went well beyond living wills or medical durable power of attorney recommendations.

Some sections of the workbook are similar to political “push polls” that lead or steer one to a predetermined conclusion.  They were geared to where you determine the “quality of your life” through a series of questions.  Such as whether you live in a nursing home, have lost a limb or are in a wheelchair, or are a vegetable.

However more provocative were these inquiries: unable to “shake the blues,”  ”I can no longer contribute to my family’s well being,” or that the veteran’s situation “causes severe emotional burden for my family.”  The inference is that if you answer yes to these questions (perhaps during a vulnerable stage), your life is not worth living.

Informing individuals, veterans or not, of the necessity of planning for their eventual mortality is valid and loving.  My husband’s family was spared these decisions when his mother died around Easter.  More than one of my husband’s brothers remarked that they were surprised that their mother had taken care of all the funeral arrangements.

My husband and his mother (after the death of his father in 1990) had purchased a bond to pay for the funeral, the plot, the type of casket and even who was to officiate, providing this pastor was still living.  Together, my husband helped her prepare the durable medical power of attorney and her will.

He informed all 7 other siblings that she was empathic regarding placement on a ventilator which had occurred for 2 weeks last September.  Some of the adult children desired for her to be intubated, but my husband with compassionate firmness, reiterated his mother’s wishes.  Her willingness to plan for her death made it so much easier on her family.

Nor was it a financial burden.  This from a woman with an 8th grade education, who had never made over $20,000 in any given year. In fact considerably less!  But she saved monetary birthday, mother’s day and Christmas gifts in order to give a profound gift to her children at her own death.  Her love for them allowed them to mourn freely, having relieved them of the stress of planning and paying for her funeral.

So I am not adverse to pre-planning and I consider it an act of love.  We have done likewise for my mother.  But to guide someone through guilt to the conclusion that their life may not be worthwhile?  Especially when they are vulnerable?!?  Merely because that life is not the same as someone else’s?

I am quite sure Christopher Reeve could have answered yes to those questions or even Michael J. Fox or Franklin Roosevelt?  Was or is there no value to their lives even though their capacity for certain activities was or is limited?

With the resuscitation of this pamphlet into the VA system (given to all veterans) by the Obama administration, is it any wonder that people are concerned with end-of-life planning included into HR 3200?

Had they read HR 3200, they would not have denied that this passage was in the bill.  They would have been able to answer questions regarding the intent, and offered provisions that protected the “least among us.”

Compassionate pre-planning can be a gift, but prodding someone into devaluing life because it does not fit a definition of “productive” or “worthwhile” is beyond reasonable.  However, they will justify these actions when the taxpayer pays the bill for medical care.

Having cared for quite of number of dying individuals, the dying want to know most that someone cares.  That they have had some impact, regardless how small.  That they will be remembered because this is an indication of caring.  The gift of freedom we have been given by veterans should elevate them above “burdens” to the taxpayer.

The youth always seem to want to be non-conformist.  In this area, we should adopt a youthful viewpoint and be as non-conformist in death as we are in life.

On Memorial Day, I had the privilege of addressing a large gathering at the American Legion facility in Clarence, IA. 

This is a great group of people brought together to honor those who died in the service of their country or died having once served in one of the branches of the military, including the coast guard.  I can not think of a better way to begin or end the Memorial Day holiday.  

Driving from Ottumwa to Clarence, I went on the county roads so I could pass through the smaller towns.  It was a beautiful day and I was greeted by farms with large flag posters, town squares lined with flags on lampposts and houses with bunting on the porch or fence.  It was inspiring and one of the things I love about rural midwest America.

Upon arriving, and given that I am female, I had to make use of the facilities.  While there, a young girl remarked “Gee, I love this place.”  She didn’t realize that someone, other than her mother had come into the bathroom.

I was so enchanted by her comment that I included it in my remarks.  It was so noteworthy because the percentage of  Americans who have served in the military has dropped to an all time low of 17%.  After WWII, it was over 50%.  That means there are fewer of us that will remember to put aside the time and make the effort to acknowledge those who have truly provided us the freedoms we enjoy.

That was why I was especially moved when 6 year old Anna loved being in the American Legion hall.  Her father was in the Navy and she and her family will ensure that those who served in the nation’s service will always be honored.  Because her family recognizes Memorial Day, it will be part of her upbringing and the traditions that will be retained for another generation.

I made mention that day of placing the flags at the gravesites at Memorial Cemetery in Ottumwa the Thursday before Memorial Day. Long after the other volunteers had left, I remained to make sure that no grave of a veteran went without a flag.  It seemed so very important to me that their service did not go unnoticed.

After meeting Anna and her family, I know that when I die the veterans of my era, myself included, will be remembered.

It is a shame that it sometimes takes the death of someone, for us to begin to know them.  I am, of course,  speaking of the passing of Jack Kemp last Saturday.

His death permitted me a look into the man that was and that I wish I had had the opportunity to know.  But I was not interested in politics then, was finishing medical school and beginning residency in Iowa with a 9 month old son and husband in tow and concerned about massive school debt.  However I wish I had paid more attention.

It is not just that Jack Kemp did what I am now attempting to do, but it is because I find so much about him to be admirable.  He too was a staunch fiscal conservative, but was very much concerned about the plight of the underprivileged and minorities.  He had an insatiable appetite for learning and reading.  And he delighted in sharing his new findings with his staff and those around him.

He remained solidly inline with his principles, but was able to articulate clearly his message and the idea that the republican party offered solutions to the issues facing our nation at the time (post Carter era).  Last night at the Johnson County Republican Meeting I stated that the free market capitalist system had brought more people out of poverty than any other economic or political system on the planet.  Jack Kemp would have echoed this statement and punctuated it with an exclamation point!

As I read about his life, I find a kindred soul.  You see, whatever our political ideology, the goal should be to make the lives of our citizens better.  By a smaller, more limited government, I do not mean we abandon all regulations.  By reducing government spending, I don’t mean that the poor and middle income average person pay an unfair tax burden or be unable to access those resources necessary to fulfil their potential.  

I strongly believe that a larger, more centralized federal government means that we will have less liberty!  Less liberty to fail and then succeed, less liberty to come from poverty to become a doctor, or opera diva, or truck driver or a stay at home Mom.  Less need to challenge ourselves intellectually and motivate ourselves to be better individuals within the collective whole.  Less ability to reclaim the dream.

So through the passing of Jack Kemp, I have been inspired and motivated to keep working for the American values that will bring thousands out of poverty, will create new jobs and grow our economy and dignifies each human’s right to be free.  Hope does not come from the government, it comes from the foot soldiers.