Another American Icon Advocating Death Panels

In April 2009, Sarah Palin suggested that the health care bill being debated in Congress would create death panels; Health care would have to be rationed and health care decisions would be made based on your value to society. She was roundly ridiculed for this statement. "How could anyone believe something so absurd?"

That was before it became law.

Two months ago, another icon of American success made a similar statement that nobody is ridiculing. During a conference at the Aspen Institute, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, stated that we should have the discussion about the benefits of allowing someone to die a few months early so that we can save the jobs of ten teachers.

Gates continued, "But that's called a death panel, and you're not supposed to have that discussion. . . because of our penchant for generosity [in our end-of-life decisions] we will be laying off over 100,000 teachers, which, you know, I'm very much against that." ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrJBY2l1MQQ )

I highly value our public teachers. There are many who are underpaid, and whose jobs are in jeopardy. But we live in a dangerous time when celebrities like Bill Gates can advocate a speedy death for some individuals so that others, who are more beneficial to society, can keep their jobs. Where should we stop? Do we refuse to treat terminal cancer patients so that we can pay first responders like police and firefighters? Do we sacrifice Down's Syndrome individuals so that we can build better highway bridges?

Is there any job that is so valuable that we can justify "buying" it with a human life? And what would a society who was willing to make that transaction look like? Would you really want to live in that kind of a world?

Celebrities have always spoken out on public policy matters, but Gates is more than an icon, he is a wealthy icon who can financially influence public policy decisions. In American society, few are admired more than those who are financially successful. We would do well to listen to Jesus' letter to the church in Laodicea.

"You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." - Revelation 3:17-18

Mother Teresa plainly challenged the idea that life and death decisions can be carried out based on financial considerations. She said, "It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."

Followers of Christ have an obligation to challenge the idea that any life can be traded for financial or social gain. If the people of God remain silent on this issue, the deaths of some people will be accelerated so that others can take benefit financially. Some lives will be deemed "worth-less" so that our tax burden can be reduced. Other lives will be deemed "worth-more" so that politicians can gain and maintain political power. We must act. We must pray.

Pray for those who make social policy. Pray for financial power-players like Bill Gates. Speak out wherever you find this idea. Stand up for those whose lives are jeopardized by policies that trade human lives for financial or social advancement.

No matter how ridiculous this idea sounded yesterday, it may be public policy tomorrow. The structure is already in place, the battle is now in the arena of public opinion. The choice is yours. Choose well.

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