Maria Sundy – 1/29/09

This page was last updated on February 1, 2009.

Not-so wonderful ending for hospital; Maria Sundy; Beaver County Times; January 29, 2009. An editor’s note asserts, “The writer was employed in patient registration at the former Aliquippa Hospital from Dec. 22, 1977, to Dec. 12[, 2008].”

This is a first for me because I’m not critiquing the letter itself, but instead the following comment from the Times website.

CarlDavidson wrote on Jan 29, 2009 11:09 AM:

“We can re-run the tape, 'Ms Sundy,' and find a brighter future.

“But the Good Lord helps those who help them selves. So let's get the churches, the union and the county commissioners clearing up the bankruptcy mess, using some eminent domain rulings if need be to stop it from being gutted, and find a buyer or create one. I hear several are interested.

“This time, though, it might be wise to have 'open books' and stakeholder seats on the board representing workers and community. Then get our congressman, Altmire, to co-sponsor HR676 Medicare for All, pass it, and get some funding in line.

“Then everybody can win, as in the more progressive ending of 'Wonderful Life.'”

Here’s a little background info about Mr. Davidson, a local lefty activist. The reason for calling attention to this comment is to show the tactics. First, Mr. Davidson has no problem using eminent domain to take private property (the hospital) from its current or eventual owners and giving it to some undefined organization. Second, and most telling, is telling people if they support a taxpayer-funded, government-run healthcare system they will get their hospital back. Please read my “Healthcare” paper for details about H.R. 676. Making promises like this is a key part of leftism and specifically targets people down on their luck.

Mr. Davidson refers to “the more progressive ending” of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I have to admit it’s been awhile since I’ve seen the movie, but I don’t recall the government riding to the rescue and using other people’s money to bail out the B&L. That would have been an ending based on progressivism. In fact, family and friends came to the rescue voluntarily using their own savings. That’s a conservative ending.

Below is a copy of the letter as I submitted it.

“A few Saturdays before Christmas, I was watching ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’

“Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) is the banker and Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) is the conniving financier eager to get hold of George’s bank.

“This scenario was like the trouble Commonwealth Medical Center had with its CEO.

“The only difference was George Bailey had a guardian angel to pull him out of his downward fall. He had someone who believed in him and gave him self-confidence to go on fighting.

“The hospital, without a guardian angel, was given empty promises for more staffing and possible services.

“Hope was dangled before us like Mr. Potter’s easy plan for George.

“The reality of our story played out like a tragic B movie.

“Suddenly, we were alone. There were no directives from the administration. There were no plans for closure or benefits. And there was no explanation for their actions or decisions. The hospital breathed its last breath on Dec. 12. It died with a whimper in darkness without any solace for a reprieve.

“So many questions come to mind. But an important one is this. Has the good care and service to the community been forgotten?

“Or will its fate play out like this quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth (Act 5 Scene 5): ‘Life’s but a walking shadow. A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing.’”