How to tell a story

How to tell a story

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Why expand Death With Dignity?

The purpose of Oregon's act is to provide "a humane and dignified manner" of death - but only for those with a terminal illness. This greatly compromises the humaneness and dignity of the bill because there are other reasons for an old person to want to pass on and without the assistance of this law we force him to choose among illegal, demeaning and difficult options. It's disgraceful.

In fact, life itself is a terminal illness! Obviously terminal. And if you don't believe human behavior is an illness, you are an illiterate observer of history.

This act is a gesture in the right direction but also is an insult to a truly humane and dignified offer. It's a tad Orwellian, suggesting All seniors are equal but some are more equal than others.

We should set an age after which ANYONE is eligible for terminal medication.