Entitlement and the Decline of America

Entitlement is to blame for the rapid decline of the Great US of A. Entitled people expect and demand privileges. The have a delusional belief that they are superior to others. They enjoy manipulation and controlling people and situations. We are a nation where narcissism extends far beyond the DSM and into the core of our infrastructure. What happened to reciprocity? The Golden Rule? If you come to my aid I will repay you in some way or at a minimum I will thank you over and over. With entitlement there is demise of reciprocity. There is no sense of repayment, rather entitled people simply expect others to meet their needs. In health care, it is evident that entitlement and narcissism control the system.

"I am very busy. I am in the emergency department because I am very sick. I demand to be treated immediately. And I expect the Cadillac of all work-ups. Yes, I want a stat MRI of my back. Yes, my pain has been present for 2 years, that's why I must have a stat MRI. You won't order an MRI? I need to speak to the hospital manager. The hospital president. I will call my lawyer. I will absolutely not wait overnight for the MRI. I am leaving. You will be sorry."

This is not a far-fetched situation. It happens every day. In health care alone, Americans are demanding more and more. The health care industry enables this behavior. Heaven forbid a patient leave unhappy. Enter in the customer service push in emergency medicine. You wonder why the use of percocet and other opioid pain killers has increased exponentially over the past 10 years. Everyone wants them and providers dare not say no, because management will be notified that the patient is not adequately being treated. It's a losing battle. We have developed a system that cannot sustain itself, which is obvious.

There are so many social realms in which entitlement has taken the throne. It is all the same. Without reciprocity our society will crumble. We will lose.

Anarchy

I loathe the word "commentary". The definition can be either positive or negative, but I almost always associate this word with the negative. Criticism or Critique. My patients typically do not enjoy the "running commentary" on their thoughts provided by exasperating auditory hallucinations. I do not appreciate commentary regarding my commentary.

I also do not take well to being told, "You shouldn't..." First, and most obvious is the fact that I do not like being told what to or not to do. Ask my parents! They will confirm this. I don't view this as a completely faulty personality trait. I think it has actually gotten me to where I am now, both personally and professionally. I also just find it condescending. It's not really worth your breathe to tell me that I shouldn't do something because I can probably rattle on forever about everything I do that I shouldn't.

I shouldn't:
1. Cuss: I do. A lot. I try to censor when necessary.
2. Sleep In: I hate mornings. I hate my alarm clock. I am not naturally set to rise early. I like the night.
3. Hate Myself: I don't actually hate myself, but I certainly find it hard to love myself. I am "should" love my body, but I don't. I am embarrassed by the shape it has taken.
4. Eat Processed Sugar: I try not to, but I do. I can justify it by mixing sugary goods like peanut butter cups with frozen yogurt. The yogurt is "healthy".
5. Judge: I silently judge everyone. It's not always bad.
6. Lie: Sometimes I do. I'm not a good "big" liar, but a little white lie here and there doesn't seem problematic to me.
7. Break Rules: I LOVE to break rules! I believe in the philosophy that one should not ask for permission, rather ask for forgiveness. Rule breakers make history and create revolutions.
8. Be Late: No matter how hard I try to be on time I am usually a few minutes late. Unless my life or some other life depends on my timeliness I will likely be a bit late.
9. Hold Grudges: I have a hard time forgetting. I might bring up prior lapses in judgment, stupidity, or thoughtlessness from years ago, if we fight again.
10. Put "Real" Trash in the Recycle Bin: I'm sorry! Sometimes, I don't want to exert the energy to mentally sort out what can and cannot go in the blue bin.

I could go on, but I should stop.

Paisley

She is breathing noisily on my arm. I can feel her breathe; hot and wet. It is faster than it has been in the prior 7 years. It keeps me awake. Worried. On edge. But when it slows and becomes more quiet I am also awake. I have joked in the past that I must have some form of autism, because I really do like my dogs better than most people! I'm pretty sure I have always been a bit extreme on dog spoiling...she has a car seat! But, I always assumed that Paisley Star would live her full life span of 18+ years. I have gained acceptance of the fact that I will never have a rug in my home until I am approximately 40 something years old. That is just one of many sacrifices I have made out of love for my dog. Now, I am just hoping for one day more and then another and another etc. I come home each day with a slight pang in my chest for fear that she won't be alive. She has this way of looking at me that makes me believe that I am the most important person in the world. She depends on me entirely and in return she gives me all the love that her 11 pound body can give. I have to credit her with getting me through some of the toughest times in my life. She listens without passing judgment. She never gives advise when advise is not needed (well, actually she never does). She never interrupts and never interjects her opinions. She just cuddles and gives a few licks here and there. I can't stand the thought of losing her to a terrible disease. I have done everything to give her the absolute best chance at survival and nothing seems to be working. I'm not giving up hope!! But, I'm also not naive to the facts. If love itself can cure, Paisley should be making a full recovery soon. I love love love this dog. (some of you may think I am crazy, but that is OK)