28 March 2008

A Lament for PBS

Yesterday evening we viewed without doubt one of the most insulting bits of communist propaganda shown to man -and

to our disappointment - on the usually reliable PBS.

We have been wondering what is happening there since Judy Woodruff appears more and more frequently - and we see Jim Lehrer less and less.

But the segment on money and health really, really offended. The ultimate prognosis: the wealthier the healthier and thus taxpayers must cough up to equal the playing field.

The “experts” who put together this joke of a presentation clearly know nothing of U.S. history or U.S. Americans.

Mainstreet will not speak for all, but can speak for its own well researched family medical history.

Our Mayflower ancestors who did not die of the “sickness in the land” (according to native legend and Vatican archives) in the first year, went on for the most part to long lives, the Aldens into their 90’s, and have many children. Of course, in that era they accepted death as part of life. They were Christians, our founders.

Following our lines down through the years, we have legions of farmers (lawyer farmers, teacher farmers , preacher farmers) most of whom lived to at least their 80’s. One great granny perished in a carriage accident, but then, she was in her 70’s at the time. One grandmother died in her 40s of the epidemic of the moment (influenza), coupled with bronchitis and, some say, boredom. A few took the sympathetic death route when they feared being a burden to their children.

Money had nothing to do with it, although education may have since even from the Mayflower none were illiterate. No more were they barons of Wall Street (although the descendants of Anike Jans Bogardus supposedly should still own Wall Street). They were farmers, led wholesome farm lives, birthed a nation and were not given to self pity. Perhaps we could press for homesteading for the sake of the public health. Get thee to the country!

Upon the arrival of Medicare, however, we find our siblings and cousins not living to the longevity of their parents. Our parents would not accept charity, did not use Medicare and took no medications. We would wager that those of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries used home medicines, like mustard plaster, hot lemonade and the like.

Now PBS is telling us we should cough up to equalize incomes for the public health?

PLEASE!