I put together this recent piece during a few moments I could steal away
because I thought it was an important topic that needs to be seriously
addressed, even, or especially, during this global pandemic. On second
thought, I realized that there could be legal
issues with the content, which might explain why it was not published in
some of my more "regular" venues (and why I decided not to publish it
on my blog). Or, of course, it just might not be of interest. But in
case you are interested, I have attached my
essay about the alarming symptoms being demonstrated by name redacted. I have also pasted it below with a pseudonym in place of .name redacted.
Thanks for reading.
Dementia is Not a Joke But it Should be a Democratic Deal-Breaker
Much like cancer, few if any
people in the United States will go through life untouched by dementia.
Whether it be your grandparent, parent, spouse, partner, or yourself,
chances are you will be affected by this
neurological ailment, most often manifesting itself in the form of
Alzheimer’s disease.
Though there are several
other types, sometimes stemming from illness or injury, by far the most
common dementia in modern Western cultures right is now Alzheimer’s.
According to figures from the Alzheimer's Association, 10% of
Americans over the age of 65 are afflicted. The rates only go up with
age, with almost a third of adults over 85 obtaining this diagnosis.
Lately, it has become
apparent that something is amiss about a certain front-running
Democratic Presidential candidate. Let’s call him Dem Candid for short.
Forget about his blatant plagiarism, his strong history
of prevarication, his “aw, shucks” form of sexual harassment, and his
poor policy record over the years. All those issues have been documented
ad nauseam and by now should be profound and obvious reasons to
preclude Dem Candid from “electability.” However, if he indeed has
dementia, which has been jokingly speculated based upon his foibles,
missteps, verbal gaffes, and erratic behavior along
the current campaign trail, then it is deeply troubling that he be
allowed to continue his campaign.
As Alzheimer’s begins, it is
sometimes hard to determine. Those who are afflicted can mask their
symptoms well. Family and friends may notice some changes in memory or
behavior, but often chalk it up to plain
aging, partially because the symptoms can easily be consistent with
aging, but also because facing an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is a tremendous
burden to bear. Patients can often fake their diminishing mental
capacity. Only people who consistently speak with or
see the person with Alzheimer’s may notice any problems.
In the early stages, mental
acuity can fluctuate from day to day and even from moment to moment. One
second you will think that your loved one is normal and your worries
are overblown, the next you will see clearly
that nothing is at all normal, and the forgetfulness, confusion, and/or
behavioral changes in your loved one will return with a vengeance.
Dem Candid’s inability to
complete sentences during some speeches, his meandering train of thought
while giving public addresses, his mistaking circumstances, places, and
days, his unfounded agitation, his loss
of normal social filters - as in the case of name-calling
and verbally harassing constituents - point to a clear decay in normal
capabilities. No politician should forget the office for which they are
campaigning. No politician (or American)
should be unable to recall the conclusion of the phrase, “We hold these
truths to be self-evident …”
No politician should tell a citizen that he is “Full of shit” or
that she is a “Lying dog-faced pony soldier.” No politician would ever
act that way under normal circumstances.
Full disclosure: Dementia
has come into my life through several people close to me. I know the
reality of having a loved one with the disease because I am currently
living it. The situation is extraordinarily
sad, frustratingly difficult, unendingly stressful, and wholly
unpredictable. Every dementia patient has his/her own personal journey
through the disease, as do his/her family and caregivers. Regardless, it
is a dreadful path that inexorably alters the lives
of everyone involved.
My own life is no longer my
own, Because of the arbitrary, irrational, and nonsensical rules and
biases of our corporate capitalist society, my life is also virtually
over. As of now, it is in a kind of a holding
pattern from which I will probably never recover personally,
financially, vocationally, or emotionally. And the worst part is that if
there ever comes a time when I might be able to recover, that
inevitably also means the tragic end of the road for my loved
one.
Ironically, there is only
one potential major party Presidential candidate, now (and in my
lifetime) who ever offered a chance to help those suffering from
dementia, as well as those caring for dementia patients.
That candidate is not Dem Candid.
The provisions in Bernie
Sanders’ Medicare for All policy, which resemble the health care
policies of almost all other industrialized nations on earth, would
greatly enhance our ability to provide competent, comprehensive,
compassionate care to dementia sufferers. Moreover, Medicare for All, as
well as other pro-social policies of the Sanders campaign, could help
alleviate the financial burden to those diagnosed with the disease and
to the people who care for them.
Currently,
about 15.7 million adults in the U.S. provide unpaid care to family members with dementia. The cost of skilled nursing care for dementia patients residing in a memory care facility
averages over $7000 a month
and can run upwards of $15-20K/month in more expensive areas of the
country. Obviously, this figure is completely unaffordable for most
Americans. Yet,
rates of Alzheimer’s disease are continuously increasing in western
populations and there is no sign of abatement.
Every since I was a small
child, I have had a special sympathy for those impaired with stuttering
syndrome, like Dem Candid. I also empathize with the many heartbreaking
losses he’s experienced over the course
of his life. Nevertheless, my sympathy for Dem Candid’s lifelong
hardships does not provide me reason to vote for him as a Presidential
nominee; they merely engender empathy as a human being. But more, if Dem
Candid is indeed now suffering additional adversity
in the form of dementia, another circumstance with which I can
personally identify, that fact offers not just me but everyone specific
cause to NOT vote for him.
If Dem Candid is
demonstrating symptoms of dementia, there is no doubt that his family,
his handlers, and his close campaign staff realize his issues. If Dem
Candid indeed has any signs of Alzheimer’s or any other
form of decreased intellectual competence, it is the height of
irresponsibility and depravity for all involved in the Democratic party
to allow him to continue his campaign, let alone be elected to the
highest office in the U.S. We already likely saw this
occurrence with Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Though the facts are
controversial, most of America noticed a clear decline in Reagan’s
cognitive capabilities over the course of his two terms. Not
surprisingly,
his namesake son suggests that Reagan’s Alzheimer’s began while in office.
As evidenced by all recent
history, the Democratic leadership possesses such equally craven
corruption and contempt for democracy as the Republicans. To push forth a
Presidential nominee who may be completely
incapable of assuming the position for which he could be elected is
cruel and reckless. All this just to avoid the election of Bernie
Sanders, a man who might try to help ameliorate some of the enormous
exploitation of people and of our planet by the very
same political leaders and by all who inhabit their wealthy and powerful
circles.
Through mere statistical
probability, the majority of Americans will experience Alzheimer’s
either directly or indirectly over the course of their lives. Most of us
know, or will learn to know, that though some
symptoms, in isolation, may be funny, the disease is absolutely no
laughing matter. As far as running for President, for any society with a
hint of democracy and decency, dementia should be an absolute
disqualifier.
Kristine Mattis holds a Ph.D. in Environment and Resources. She is no relation to the mad-dog general.
