Had to leave hospital waiting room because staff were bashing Obama

[salbi]

Hi, I don't post very often but am so upset right now that I needed to let off a little steam. My husband is in the middle of surgery right now and I was waiting in the hospital surgery waiting room. A couple of volunteers and staff were standing up front and bashing Obama in very loud voices. One man announced he was a military man and thought that Obama was a communist. A couple of others talked about him allowing babies born alive during an abortion to be left to die. Among other very hateful things. I finally got so upset that I had to tell them that not all hold their beliefs and that they should watch what they say. I left the room and am now sitting in the hospital cafeteria and wondering why people even if they don't like Obama have to spew such hateful lies. I'm so happy not to be a part of such a mean party. Sorry if this post is just a rant and not news.

[LibraLiz1973]

1. Good luck to your husband. Stay calm- all those people are doing is spouting words.

[TornadoTN]

9. Self-Delete - wrong spot

[marmar]

2. My sympathies.....where are you?

n/t

[SuperTrouper]

3. The right is becoming unhinged at the prospect of President Obama

Ignore them and just laugh quietly because we are in for major ranting and raving from the left.

[ThatsMyBarack]

27. Thanks, Roberto1223!

I'll remember that advice next time I drive past a McFailin' sticker or sign! :patriot: :hi:

[jobycom]

4. Hatred sucks.

:hug: Hope hubbie is okay.

[NMDemDist2]

5. .....

:hug:

how stressful, I hope your husband gets better soon

:hug:

[qanda]

6. Best wishes for your husband to be well

I'm sorry you had to go through that while you're waiting.

[leftynyc]

7. Good luck with your husband's surgery

Don't worry about the hospital workers - there are assholes everywhere.

[gateley]

8. Oh, that's awful --

on top of the stress and worry about your husband, to have to listen to such hateful things. Maybe you should complain to the powers that be in the hospital -- if it will make you feel better.

I'll keep your husband in my thoughts for a successful, easy surgery and a speedy recovery.

:hug:

[nannycee]

10. Best wishes for your husband. Complain to patient services if you feel up to it. n/t

[peace frog]

28. Ditto that

Family members of patients undergoing surgery are under enough stress, but add to the mix hospital staff loudly voicing their negative political opinions puts that stress level over the top. COMPLAIN TO THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR - it won't change what happened to you, but it might make a positive difference for others. And best wishes for your husband's speedy recovery.

[windbreeze]

41. I third that...

That staff works for you. Your insurance and co pays PAY THEIR WAGES. Sometimes members of a hospital staff forget they are the employees....No one goes to a hospital expecting to hear the staff air their personal political beliefs, especially if there are those within hearing distance who are stressed out about the well being of a loved one....IF you have been offended, you need to turn in a complaint...however, I suggest you wait until your husband leaves the hospital...then put a very detailed account of what took place, and especially what was said, and by whom(if you know, but even if you don't, giving a specific time/area of the hospital should indicate which employees were possibly present), in a formal letter, and tell them, next time you need a hospital you will go somewhere else...I hope your husband will be fine, and I wish you both well...wb

[mwb970]

65. You are absolutely within your rights to lodge a complaint. Please do so.

Talk like you describe is wildly inappropriate from hospital staff. I suggest you report it to the Patient Services office and specifically identify the exact individuals who were doing this. Provide as many quotes as possible.

Unforgivable!

[stillcool]

11. Fox News..

[LiberalAndProud]

12. There is a time and a place for political conversation.

A waiting room in a hospital is neither. Take comfort in the knowledge that Obama will soon be their president.

:hug:

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery.

[Ilsa]

Just xstay away from them. Their hatred will bring them nothing but grief.

I want you to stay positive for your spouse; he needs your good thoughts right now. Try not to be distracted by their stupidity. You are above that. I am hoping and praying everything turns out well for your husband and his surgery. :hug:

[AllentownJake]

13. Next time that happens get names

and complain to the Hospital Administration. I hope your Husband gets better quickly.

[TornadoTN]

14. When you know your husband is going to be O.K. - go to the administration and complain

There's no place for that in a professional work environment. These people need to be doing their jobs and taking care of patients rather than spouting pathetic political filth, especially in the public view. It compromises their ability and willingness to work for everyone - not just those that agree with them.

[AirmensMom]

15. Aw, I'm sorry that happened.

It's stressful enough to be waiting for a loved one to get through surgery. But that's just horrible. :(

Obama spreads love while McCain spreads hate. But people who refuse to listen to Obama and instead believe the nasty rumors will never feel the love. Good for you for getting out of that toxic environment.

I hope your husband's surgery goes well. :hug:

[salbi]

17. Thank You all for your kind words

I was so upset when I left the waiting room I was literally shaking. I'm worried about the surgery so my emotions were on edge before I even heard their talk. All of you are great, you are just what I needed....thanks again. I think I may call the hospital to tell them how I feel when this is all over with.

[AirmensMom]

23. I know what you mean.

My husband had surgery a few weeks ago. Fortunately, they let me wait in his room, alone. After a while, my neighbors showed up, which was a wonderful surprise. It's a very emotional and difficult time and those people were beyond insensitive to be saying things like that where others could hear them.

[Rainbowreflect]

38. I am sorry for the added stress in an already stressful time.

You and your husband are in my prayers.
:hug:

[IndyOp]

16. Do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself and your husband -

just keep breathing, eat, focus on the people in the hospital who are there to help you and answer your questions. When my mother was in the hospital I would worry constantly and had questions on my mind, but when the doctors and nurses appeared I would forget to ask because I was focused on what they were saying. Now that you are in the cafeteria, it might be good to write down any questions you have. If you deal with the staff by asking questions that may push them into their, appropriate, professional role and get them to lay off the political conversations.

:hug:

[TomClash]

18. As long as your husband is ok

it doesn't matter. The ignorant and stupid will always be with us. Best wishes on your husband's recovery. May it be easy and complete.

[asdjrocky]

19. The lies and the hate is all they have left.

Desperation always has a bad smell.

[slampoet]

20. My Father runs Hospitals. ANY administrator would Fire these people for discussing politics

at work.


ALL hospitals depend on Federal Funds and MUST limit political endorsement in the workplace and discussion as well.



Report these people. Get them written up. Please for the rest of us.

[nannycee]

21. Thank you! These people need to know that their job is to eliminate stress, not add to it! n/t

[wvbygod]

24. Yes, by all means get some working mothers fired pronto

It's not like they wear the same brown shirt as *we* do. Get them up against the Wall!

Pigs-->Dogs-->Sheep

[slampoet]

30. Who is a mother? Are you saying nurses don't know how to use birth control so they should be allowed

to be rude in front of patients?


Stop using children as human shields.


HOW Fucking DARE YOU.

[wvbygod]

33. No, I am saying instead of buying attention....

One should start paying for it.

[slampoet]

39. Two non-sequitur in a row. Two points for me.

you are loosing this discussion as well as showing your sexism.

[wvbygod]

44. Dylan would understand and put it better than me

but I would expect a slam poet to be quick enough to spot a metaphor buried in
an out of sequence abstraction.

[slampoet]

47. A metaphor uses the word "IS" . You are confusing literary devices. Three points for me.

Slam poets know that if you can't say it directly it isn't said properly.


Maybe you are confusing us with the beats.


Try to read something written in the last 15 years please.

[yardwork]

37. How do you know that the people saying hateful things were mothers, or even female?

The OP referred to a "military man."

In any case, the behavior of these hospital personnel was unprofessional, unethical, and possible illegal, as a poster upthread mentions. The administration would want to know that this is going on in their hospital. At the very least, it's not a very good advertisement for the hospital in these competitive times.

[Shakespeare]

57. We can always count on you to stick up for the knuckle-draggers.

:eyes:

[mrreowwr_kittty]

60. So I guess it's okay to fire the childless people.

I mean, fuck them, they didn't fulfill their patriotic duty to procreate. :puke:

[lolamio]

22. I am really sorry you head to experience that..

I am not sure how comfortable you are with doing this, but you could write a letter to the hospital CEO or administrator letting them know what happened. There is a time and place for such conversations, and having one when family members are sitting in a waiting room while their loved one in surgery, is definitely not one of those times. You are already stressed as it is; you don't need to hear their hateful conversations. Those staff members were out of line, and IMO, should be spoken to about their behavior.

I hope your husband is OK. :hug:

[madaboutharry]

25. I hope that your husband will be o.k. , But

please write a letter of complaint to the Hospital Administrator. They take patient complaints VERY seriously. My husband works in a hospital and discussing politics is absolutely inappropriate, especially in public areas.

[No Elephants]

26. Rant on. No problem. Best wishes to your husband, you and your family.

[Joanne98]

29. They are stuck in the sixties.

[pnwmom]

31. People like that are toxic. I guess the only comfort is

that they KNOW they are losing and that's one reason they're behaving like this.

Best wishes to you and your husband. Hope you're both safely out of that hospital soon!

[CADEMOCRAT7]

32. I pray all goes well with your husband's surgery.

You have to take pity on them, they are asleep.

[skooooo]

34. Report them - that is unprofessional behavior.

Hospitals and staff are supposed to comfort people, not add stress.

[Morrisons Ghost]

35. This is why

I don't go anywhere without my mp3 player! Worry about your husband right now and ignore negative conversations around you...you'll be better and happier for it! Prayers for your husbands quick recovery!

[yardwork]

36. Make a complaint to the hospital administration. I'm sure this is against the hospital's rules.

I can't imagine a hospital being pleased that their staff and volunteers (who are supervised by staff) are creating a hostile environment for patients' families. These are very competitive times for hospitals.

Make a formal, polite complaint to the hospital administration. Specify exactly what was said, when, and where in the hospital. The administration - if he or she is not a complete fool - will put a stop to this immediately.

[high density]

40. That's when I start saying sarcastic things in a loud voice about John McCain

"Yeah, I can't wait for John McCain to start taxing my health insurance. That will be great!!"

[Zuiderelle]

42. You should lodge a complaint. At least an informal one. It's completely unprofessional of them.

Even if they are volunteers, it's unacceptable, and I'm certain the Hospital administration would frown on it.

[renie408]

43. I am sorry you had to go through that when you are already having to deal with

your husband's surgery. How is he doing? I wish you, your husband and your family good luck and best wishes.

[SoxFan]

45. I'm not buying this

1. Very, very few medical professionals would be this unprofessional.

2. Most medical employees I have spoken with (nurses, CNAs, etc) are backing Obama.

3. No specific hospital was named.

4. Very low post count.

[cynatnite]

46. I spent a lot of years in the medical field...

I agree with you.

[SoxFan]

48. My wife works at a public hospital

With the exception of one fellow who is a gun afficionado and a transplant from Mississippi, the staff there is backing Obama.

[ZoltarSpeaks]

52. Not that unusual to hear

It does not surprise me in the least to hear the claim made by the original poster.

It may be uncommon to hear something like this in the muted conversation of a waiting room or in a one-on-one with a doctor, but I am appalled at some of the conversations that I have heard that go on between staff members within earshot of patients.

I'm not just talking about politics, but patient information (including names), their medical conditions, and so on. Spend enough time waiting in the bowels of a hospital near a nurses desk, or on a cart waiting for a procedure while everyone talks around you, and you will hear something interesting

I have an even lower post count, so you can dismiss me as well, but you shouldn't dismiss the possibility of the OP.

[AirmensMom]

53. I agree.

I am appalled at the lack of privacy displayed at some hospitals and doctors offices.

Once I was waiting for a mammogram and the nurse yelled across the crowded waiting room, "Mrs. xxx, when was your last period?" :banghead:

When my husband was checking into the hospital for surgery, there was a line in front of us. The nurse doing the checking-in asked each patient loudly about allergies, height, weight, etc. I could tell you how much three people weigh and what their allergies were. We were the last ones in line, so at least my husband's information wasn't broadcast to anyone else. But jeez! It's completely insensitive and unprofessional.

And, yes, I have heard political discussions as well, between two receptionists at a doctor's office.

Everyone starts out with a low post count. Even a high post count won't protect you around here sometimes.

[Erin Elizabeth]

55. It really depends on the state and area she's in.

I can totally see that happening around here, unfortunately.

[Morrisons Ghost]

58. Yes I think I

Agree with you...Thought it was also kind of a weird thing to bring up while ones spouse is having surgery! I think Barack Obama and whether or not some hospital employees like him or not would not even be on my radar at the moment...That and I don't make it a habit of listening to other peoples conversations!:shrug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

49. *healing vibes* for your husband, and thank you for speaking up. That

must have been hard. :hug:

[ZoltarSpeaks]

50. Faux News found to skew blood pressure readings too...

I had to sit for 45 minutes (during the primary season) in a clinic waiting room where every TV in sight was set on Fox. I could feel my temperature and pressure going up as I waited with that drivel forced upon me. I complained about it at the desk but they had no access to change it, nor did they show any inclination to do so. And yes, my blood pressure was elevated when tested.

I would formally raise hell, too. I just had a long complaint session at my local bank (Prior Lake State Bank in Minnesota) that has Fox on their lobby TV every time I go in. It's still on, and we have decided to change banks because of it. But a hospital is quite a different situation since you can't always just refuse to do business with them.

[DuaneBidoux]

51. For these people they are not lies. They live in the world of myth and magic which, unfortunately..

is a world where it is very important that there be an enemy and "outsider." This level of personal development precludes the ability to think about how you think. To see how you see. In short, this level of personal development makes impossible the act of self reflection needed to extend the bubble of belonging beyond your own little tribe or clan.

I have spent a number of years learning about Integral Psychology. It has helped me not get as upset as I used to at people like that. Although they are responsible for themselves, they are not able to help it. It is like asking a scorpion to not be a scorpion. Progressives need to reflect on how they got to that detination--and then help others get there by finding the milestones for themselves that will get them there. Each human must make that evolutionary journey alone.

[salbi]

54. Thank You to all the kind responses

Thanks to all of you who had kind words. My husband came through surgery great and is now resting at the hospital. To the couple of posts that doubted my story, this isn't something I would lie about. Why would anyone lie about something like that. And, I never said they were medical staff, I said hospital staff. It was two volunteers, a hospital chaplain and someone else who I think worked housekeeping (there was a housekeeping cart outside the room). As far as what hospital, all I'll say is I live in a red county in a blue state (IL).
thanks again,
Susanne

[DuaneBidoux]

56. Glad to here surgery went well. Imagine life in Texas and feel better! (My state)

[rainbow4321]

59. Depends on where you are/work in TX

I work at a county hospital and have no problem with co-workers and politics. Of course, it is also an HIV/AIDS unit so it is not the place that wil going to exactly attract the right winged nuts as co-workers. But I STILL wouldn't think about starting a political conversation in front of a *patient/family member* cuz you never know. Though most of them are pretty vocal people so it's not hard to tell where they stand
:-)

But then there is the problem of my 2 stolen bumper stickers in the last month. The one I got to replace the stolen one...was ripped off at some point in the last day or so. I don't drive to work so it had to have happened at my daughter's high school (she drives to school). I still have an Obama sticker left and the other is a "Collin County Democrat" window sticker. She had warned me ahead of time that they may get ripped off. Whatever. If I lose the last one I'll just order another.
There is hope, though, for my county. I've only seen TWO McCain car window stickers in the last several MONTHS. That is it.
And the blue cup stack at my corner 7-11 is alot shorter than the red stack every morning!

[DuaneBidoux]

63. I'm a Unitarian too!

[rainbow4321]

64. Yay..another UUer!!

My daughter who turns 18 in January is already making plans on getting a tattoo for her birthday..wants to make it a "family trip to a tattoo parlor" with me and her sister so she can get a UU chalice symbol tattoo. Except then she followed it up with "and you need to get a tattoo of my name and (other daughter's) name. I'm thinking: Ummmm...no tattoo for mom, let's just stick with your chalice! :-)

[ShortnFiery]

61. That "military man" is not representative of an ENTIRE Community.

I wish that I was there ... I would have er ... engaged him in conversation. :evilgrin:

[ShortnFiery]

62. p.s. I'm sorry that an surgery waiting room is not free of hateful partisan drivel.

:(