The Shame of Walter Reed Army Medical Center

"Today a great hospital and medical center stand in constant tribute to Walter Reed."

The above quote is taken from a glowing account of the life of Walter Reed for whom "Walter Reed Army Medical Center" is named. The account is a page on the facility's own website. Recent news stories lead us to believe that today the facility stands in stark contrast to the life of the man whose name it bears. However, this small article is not about the man, nor even the facility, but is about thoughts that perhaps ought to spring to mind as a result of this latest example of not only waste, but of the attitude that seems to be emerging in those tasked with serving the people.

The recent information about what has been happening there; mold, poor upkeep, slipshod treatment of patients, for example, should be of even more concern to me than many of the people who might read this. After all, I am retired military with access to the military health care system. However, of more importance in my mind is the way in which these events echo some ominous omens found within government today.

People whose sole passion should be, at least at their elected or appointed positions, proper stewardship of the nation's funds and resources, proper treatment of its citizens, and proper planning for its future, often seem more concerned with the lining of their own nest than the condition of the walls of a citizen's home...much less the room in which a wounded warrior waits to heal.

These people, and I know for a fact that there are good people in government who do NOT fall into this category, often seem to be more interested in retaining the power and privilege they have achieved rather than performing the actions which would be the right and most effective course. What makes this worse, is that often "we the people" do little other than shake our heads in disapproval that "somebody" let this happen, and then go on with yet another shadow in our lives.

While the people in power who do or allow these things are distinctly and undoubtedly at fault, there are others who share a portion of the blame. "We the people" are the ones who allow these folk to acquire and keep their positions performing their "services" in our name without oversight, review, or outcry. "Those people in Washington", or Tallahassee, or Sacramento, or Austin are in place to serve us, and they serve at our will...at least at the will of those with money and power enough to make their voices heard.

It is not surprising, in view of the power wielded by corporations which control such large amounts of the blood of politics, i.e. money, that an individual can feel small, powerless, and at the mercy of forces beyond themselves. However, just as politicians achieve and hold their positions as a result of mass movements of the people (or at least some of them), whether swayed by greed, compassion, ignorance, or hope, corporations can be made to dance to the will of the public. In fact, a common attitude of both politicians and CEO's alike is, "We are only giving them what they ask for."

There, for me, is the crux of the matter. We "the people" elect (at least some of us) public officials and then turn to our entertainments and amusements, leaving them to learn that they are not servants but are the ones in charge. There are two old saws that spring to mind here. "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." and a simple reminder, "Who watches the watchers?"

The same is true of commerce and industry. The leaders of auto companies, oil companies, healthcare organizations, and a thousand other endeavors will only do what they find we are willing to pay for. If we cast our money about as blindly as we cast our votes, can we be surprised to wake up and find that we are the servants of politics and business instead of the other way around?

While what has occurred at Walter Reed Army Medical Center is tragic, and I speak as a citizen and a soldier, even worse is the fact that you and I, the people, have collectively the power to make things different for the world but to date have been apparently more concerned only with our personal worlds.

Last night in a two hour stretch of television inanity, I saw ads for cruises, cars, and casinos, among many other things, but I did not see a single ad asking us to be better citizens and stewards of our own, or our planet's, destiny. In fact, except for the occasional plea for aid to Darfur or ads from the Christian Children's Fund, I don't see a lot of prime time interest in a better world.

Oh well! Those guys in Washington will take care of that! Not my problem.

Donovan Baldwin is a freelance writer and a University of West Florida alumnus currently living in Stone Mountain, GA. He is a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, .and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, yoga, writing, the environment, happiness, self improvement, and weight loss.