The-Morality-of-Capitalism-PDF

another epidural injection to advance me even more toward anormal state. Unfortunately, the for-profit pain clinic was bookedup completely for three weeks. I didn’t want to wait that long andcalled some other hospitals in the area. A very well-known andhighly regarded nonprofit hospital could fit me in in two days. Igladly made an appointment.When I got to the nonprofit hospital, I spoke first with somehelpful retired ladies and gentlemen who were wearing neatvolunteer uniforms. They were clearly benevolent people, asone might expect in a nonprofit hospital. Then I hobbled withmy cane to the pain clinic, where I signed in with the desk. Anurse came out and announced my name and after I identifiedmyself, sat down next to me in the lobby. The interview tookplace while I was surrounded with strangers. Thankfully, therewere no embarrassing questions. I noticed that the other nurseswere actually ordering patients about in the imperative voice.One nurse told a lady who was clearly in pain to sit in anotherchair and after the patient said she was more comfortable whereshe was, the nurse pointed to the other chair and said, “No. Sit!”When that same nurse approached me, I think that my look toldher that I had no intention of being treated like an enrollee inobedience school. Wordlessly, she pointed at the examinationroom, which I entered.The administering doctor walked in. No introduction. Noname. No hand to shake. He looked at my file, muttered tohimself, and told me to sit on the bed, pull down my pants, andhoist my shirt. I told him that the procedure had been donebefore while I was lying on my side, and that that position wasmore comfortable, since sitting was quite painful. He said thathe preferred it with me sitting. I responded that I preferred to lieon my side. He said that sitting allowed better access, which wasat least a reason that appealed to my interests as well as his, soI acquiesced. Then, unlike the doctor in the for-profit hospital,he slammed in the needle and injected the medication with suchsurprising and agonizing force that it caused me to let loose a realyell, quite unlike my previous experience. Then he removed theneedle, made a note in his file, and disappeared. The nurse handedme a sheet of paper and pointed the way out. I paid and left.38