Ok, I know that organ donation has been discussed here more than once, but I couldn't find anything that addressed my particular question/issue........so here goes.
In this year's presidential election, many of the exit polls showed that people voted based on their "family/moral values." It seems they (not me!) voted for Bush because they felt he stood for those values, especially in regards to gay marriage, abortion, etc. I was very distraught after the election because I hear these people talking but I don't see these people taking moral action! Organ donation is just one of the areas that angers me.
How can the majority of this country stand on such moral high-ground and then show such PATHETIC organ donation numbers? People are dying because they can't get an organ when there are plenty available, but they get buried with the patient! How can you proclaim to be such a good person with such high moral values when you aren't even willing to donate your or your family's organs in the event of their death? I really don't see that as being a whole lot less than murder.
I'm not even a nurse yet, so I'm not right in the middle of this yet, but I do dread it! Anyway, this is just something that disturbs me deeply and I wanted to get your take on it, especially those of you, if any, that are not willing to donate. I'd like an explanation!
Different issues. I believe in mandatory safety devices. I liken seatbelts and helmets to say elevator safety.
I also believe in death with dignity, allowing a terminal person to make decisions in that process. I'm not getting the connection between caring for a person die with dignity and mandating safety on the roads.
I'm against mandatory organ donation and a lot of government interferences. I draw my own lines that are way quite different that yours. Yours is an issue of choice, mine is public safety. I'm wishy washy and hippocritical I know and we definately agree to dissagree. I was just trying to answer your question as to why I care whether you wear a helmet or not. I'm a trauma nurse and worked neuro as well, so if you head injure yourself and I'll be very happy to help you die with dignity (while shaking my head in shame that your life might have been spared, or severe disability at great taxpayer cost could have been spared).
BTW I enjoy debating you because I can tell you believe what you say and you think things through. I guess I am saying it is a matter of personal choice. I care about others and I for one am glad you care also. Part of my credo for caring for someone is to let them make their own decisions. For the record, wearing a helmet is safer but should not be mandatory, IMO. Elevator safety is expected because the public is at risk through no actions or choices (other than getting on) of their own. I understand how you feel because I would want my kids to wear a helmet-actually I don't want them riding a motorcycle.
Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
I never said Bush was against organ donation! Please don't get that started! I'm just saying that Bush supporters (a lot of them) say they voted for him based on moral issues, yet most of them will not donate organs (statistically speaking).
I'm so happy to hear about your son! Spread the word!
Do you have some statistics or research to back this statement up? Remember in nursing, everything should be EVIDENCE-BASED, and not hearsay or one's personal opinion. For what it is worth, I am a Bush supporter and I am an organ donor.
Obviously people who can't donate shouldn't be penalized for that, but if you just don't want to then that's another matter. It's completely your right to do and I am not going to try to convince you to do otherwise, but no one ever said that choices don't have consequences. I think an opt out system where those who opt out of organ donation are also opting out of the option to receive organs is completely sensible. Don't worry though, I am sure it will never happen and you'll always be able to get on the organ recipient wait list should you need it regardless on your stance on donation.
I'm just saying that Bush supporters (a lot of them) say they voted for him based on moral issues, yet most of them will not donate organs (statistically speaking).
That is the most erroneous statement I've ever heard. You have absolutely no basis to make such a statment and makes about as much sense as me claiming that Kerry supporters, who are notoriously hipocrites, would be the ones most likely to NOT donate but be the first in line to TAKE a donation.
And besides, organ donation and one's feelings about crime & punishment, gay marriage, etc are two unrelated things.
I supported Kerry (not because I liked him, but because I can't stand Bush, his administration and everything it all stands for).
I am NOT a hypocrite (the correct spelling).
Debates lose weight when statements like this are made.
I think wannabe's state is completely misunderstood. Maybe if it was worded differently, it would make more sense.
I think it was made on the assumption that organ donation is the moral thing to do.
And if that's true, then why aren't there more donations in this country because after all, half the country did vote on moral issues but organ donation statistics do not reflect that (that is, if organ donation is a moral issue).
The key here is the assumption that organ donation is the moral thing to do.
Has nothing to do with the way individuals here vote.
I supported Kerry (not because I liked him, but because I can't stand Bush, his administration and everything it all stands for).
I am NOT a hypocrite (the correct spelling).
Debates lose weight when statements like this are made.
Oh gosh, you noticed my typo. My deepest apologies.
Your statement about debates lose weight when statements like that are made is precisely the message I was trying to deliver. To make a blanket statement that all a) all Bush supporters voted on values when then means that b) they should agree with organ donation but then c) don't
is exactly why this debate was losing weight, as you say.
It was an opininated judgement not grounded in any sort of fact that I have seen. However, you seem to think wannabe really meant something else. I'm willing to hear the clarification.
I supported Kerry (not because I liked him, but because I can't stand Bush, his administration and everything it all stands for).
I am NOT a hypocrite (the correct spelling).
Debates lose weight when statements like this are made.
I think wannabe's state is completely misunderstood. Maybe if it was worded differently, it would make more sense.
I think it was made on the assumption that organ donation is the moral thing to do.
And if that's true, then why aren't there more donations in this country because after all, half the country did vote on moral issues but organ donation statistics do not reflect that (that is, if organ donation is a moral issue).
The key here is the assumption that organ donation is the moral thing to do.
Has nothing to do with the way individuals here vote.
Please correct me if I'm wrong wannabe.
Q was being facetious about all Kerry supporters being hypocrites. She was making a point that just as saying that all Kerry supporters are hypocrites is unfair and untrue, so is saying Bush supporters, who supposedly voted for moral values, DON'T donate . . is unfair and untrue.
The OP did say that Bush supporters statistically don't donate and yet they voted for "morals". She has no proof of that.
No amount of spin will change that.
As a couple of us have stated, why even bring politics into it. Why not just ask the question:
Why don't people donate their organs more? Period, end of statement.
The key here is the assumption that organ donation is the moral thing to do.
And by the way, that's a pretty dangerous assumption. There are many cultures and religions that don't believe in organ donation, yet that does not make them immoral.
"In this year's presidential election, many of the exit polls showed that people voted based on their "family/moral values." It seems they (not me!) voted for Bush because they felt he stood for those values, especially in regards to gay marriage, abortion, etc. I was very distraught after the election because I hear these people talking but I don't see these people taking moral action! Organ donation is just one of the areas that angers me."
"How can the majority of this country stand on such moral high-ground and then show such PATHETIC organ donation numbers? People are dying because they can't get an organ when there are plenty available, but they get buried with the patient! How can you proclaim to be such a good person with such high moral values when you aren't even willing to donate your or your family's organs in the event of their death? I really don't see that as being a whole lot less than murder."
NurseGuy_in_06
276 Posts
BTW I enjoy debating you because I can tell you believe what you say and you think things through. I guess I am saying it is a matter of personal choice. I care about others and I for one am glad you care also. Part of my credo for caring for someone is to let them make their own decisions. For the record, wearing a helmet is safer but should not be mandatory, IMO. Elevator safety is expected because the public is at risk through no actions or choices (other than getting on) of their own. I understand how you feel because I would want my kids to wear a helmet-actually I don't want them riding a motorcycle.