by Thomas Robertson II

Created on: February 20, 2008

This is just such a stupid, illogical question.

Should smokers and the obese be denied coronary artery bypass surgery? I don't know. Should HIV patients be denied medication? They apparently did not care enough about themselves to have safe sex or use a clean needle, just as smokers and the obese do not care enough about themselves to change their lifestyle.

It amuses me when holier than thou people sit around and tell others how to live, and dictate who is deserving of what. What is even more amusing is that a majority of these people participate in some sort hypocritical "lifestyle" that others may view as unhealthy or immoral. I've noticed the ones who are so eager to throw stones are the ones who drink too much, smoke a little weed, have affairs, etc..

But anyway...

I think the bigger question is should anyone be denied treatment based on their lifestyle? As I pointed out, should HIV patients be denied treatment? Except in extreme cases, HIV is only contracted through unprotected sex and intravenous drug use. Obviously, their lifestyle is the reason for their condition. What's the difference between that and someone who smokes or eats too much?

We seem to live in a rather intolerant and unforgiving society these days. What caused it, do you think? Was it our Saturday morning cartoons? Did Elmer Fudd's unforgiving nature towards Bugs have a profound impact on our emotional development? Maybe. But, chances are you were too busy stuffing your face with CoCo Puffs to notice.

Ok, ok. Back on track.

Everyone deserves medical treatment, regardless of lifestyle. Preservation of human life is a fundamental element of human existence. Granted, some people should be given priority if priority is needed, but no one should be denied a second chance at life. We should all be so lucky. My dad was a lifelong smoker. In 1998, he had a heart attack. He came home from the hospital and quit smoking. After all those years, he just quit.

He died three weeks later.

I use this to illustrate that anyone can change. Some may change, some may not. Some may change too late. But when it all comes down to it, and you are forced to reflect back, would you rather be able to say "I helped everyone I could", or "I helped the ones I thought were deserving"? The latter is merely a matter of picking and choosing based on your own criteria. And that's playing God.

So, are the only people deserving of medical treatment the ones who attempt to prevent the necessity of it in the first place? Boy, that would sure dry up revenue for the health care industry. If it wasn't for people making wrong choices, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies would be bankrupt in a year. Then would would pay for all the political campaigns?

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