Reaction unbecoming of ‘Right to Life’ party

I listened to the Sept. 12 Republican Tea Party debate and shuddered when the question was posed about a hypothetical healthy 30-year-old who had foregone the opportunity to purchase health insurance.

This man, due to an unfortunate occurrence, now needs intensive care. The question to the candidates: What should we do as a society for this guy?

To paraphrase candidate Ron Paul, the guy made his decision and now has to live (or more likely die) with it. When asked should we let him die, someone in the audience shouted “yes” and the remainder clapped and cheered.

What the hell is going on here? I thought the Republican Party was the party of life. Does its support depend upon what stage of life you are in? If you are in the womb, you have their full support? If you are 30, well, is it OK for you to die?

Someone has to make that decision to withhold medical care from a person. I assume it would be a panel of some type. Weren't the Republicans warning us of these “death panels” during the health care debate?

Those who cheered would station themselves in emergency rooms and look the 30-year-old and his family in the eye and say: Sorry, no treatment for you, survive if you are able. Could you do that? Are you human?

Tim O'Brien

Fayette