I work in medicine, and one of the hospitals in our system is the VA. I have literally no interest in serving veterans; people who fight in wars for America pretty much stand and act against everything I believe in. It's not necessarily that I think these people don't deserve great healthcare, it's that I don't want to be the one giving it to them. I would much rather spend my time serving people from my community who didn't spend large parts of their lives wrecking other communities.

Sure, some of my patients anywhere are going to be complete assholes. Sure, there are a lot of veterans who weren't involved in combat (but they did directly aid those in combat at least, right?). Idk, is there a perspective I'm not seeing here? Is it wrong for me to be morally opposed to working for the VA?

  • threshold [he/him]
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    4 years ago

    As a patient they'd be deeply dependent towards you and because of that would probably be willing to listen. You'd be surprised how much regular people agree on certain issues. Unfortunately another awful element of imperialism/capitalism is that the individual has a decent possibility to remain blameless through delegation and lack of education/understanding as to how their actions lead to other worse actions.

    It's up to you, but I think empathy as a starting position would be wise. If you had to, maybe boycott outright Trumpers or Lobbyists lol

    • darkchapofantasy [he/him]
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      4 years ago

      I think the empathy up front approach is key. No patient wants to be told by a doctor that they aren't "worthy" of treatment or any sort because of something they did and would only undermine their trust in medicine I would never want to do that.

      Interestingly, my favorite patient I've ever had was a right winged boomer. If I met him in a bar I probably would have told him to fuck off but something about the professional setting really helped bring out the good nature in him.

      • MotherOfZachHill [she/her]
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        4 years ago

        would only undermine their trust in medicine

        "Black newborns more likely to die when looked after by White doctors" https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/18/health/black-babies-mortality-rate-doctors-study-wellness-scli-intl/index.html

        something about the professional setting really helped bring out the good nature in him.

        Read Marx and learn what human nature really is

    • MotherOfZachHill [she/her]
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      4 years ago

      remain blameless through delegation

      it's so funny how socialists think the Banality of Evil is an argument in their favor and not one that condemns them for being worthless little drones

      think empathy as a starting position would be wise

      Radlibs will never use marxist historical materialism because its in their class interests to obscure materialism

      • threshold [he/him]
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        4 years ago

        I don't disagree with your derision of the banality of evil defence, but the delegation and relative degrees of powerlessness allows us to judge on soldiers as a case by case basis.