So would we be for allowing drugs for Euthenasia?

[Red Dingo]

I am for legalization and decriminalization of drugs and drug addicts. I see them a being either foolish, sick, or more positively, I see say Marijuana as not only have medical benefits, but being a pleasant relaxant for some who desire relaxation - like someone having a glass of port.

Anyway, 80 years ago, you could pretty much by anything at the local drug store/chemist, which includes most of the drugs that you need to a prescription for these days (and some really hard opiates/laudnum was available). You could easily buy enough to top yourself. I wish you could still get relaxant tablets (valium related-azepam family stuff) as my mum is a terrible worrier and sleeper and she has had to grovel before doctors to get sleeping pills. Yea, it's probably self brought on, due to personality, cirumstances etc but she's a good person.

Now, due to religious beliefs, I'm not for killing yourself, and I am not comfortable with the elderly wanting to end their lives sooner (though I doubt it's like 50 million elderly folks are gonna suddenly want to end there lives if it was made available). But if we legalize everything, we allow the importation and cultivation of some drugs that will be used for euthenasia.

I am pro-life, but with this issue, I used to be opposed to it (as I wish they would enjoy life and keep living etc), but now I realise I don't want to impose upon people's wills and lives. Actually, for religious reasons, my thinking would be - well, if they want to do that, that is fine, but they are accountable to their Maker. What are your thoughts? What are Ron Paul's thoughts? I know he is for protection of life, but when you legalize drugs, you will open the door to this, which again, I think I now am not worried about, BECAUSE, I care about my life and setting an example from my life, not dictating to others what they should or shouldn't do.

Any thoughts? Please? that would be great. Actually, as a caring and fairly sensitive person, I have often felt sad for those who commit suicide, not only for the situation that has broken them, but because they often have to do it in terrible ways - e.g. jumping off a cliff, in front of a train, in U.S. you could buy a gun and shoot yourself but not elsewhere, hanging etc. These are terrible and terrible to the people who find them. I have caringly thought that, even though I'd rather them live, that I would rather them have a more dignified ending - and I'd rather the person who found them, found them in a more pleasant way e.g. dead on their bed in tact, like they fell asleep. And I'm dead set conservative.

[revolutionman]

I'm in full support of Euthanasia for the terminally ill. my uncle died of cancer about a year and a half ago. In the end he was in constant pain and pissing and shitting himself as tumors ravaged his brain, nervous system and other vital organs. The highest dose of opiates available would only reduce the screams of pain to lower moaning. This is a man who worked his whole life to support his family and hes reduced to this, by a terrible disease. In his last days he pleaded with my father to kill him. My father opted not to citing that he had his own family to look after and could not afford to go to prison. it broke my fathers heart.

its easy to sit in the pews or stand behind the pulpit and podium and decree this or that but I dare you to come face to face with a once proud man in that condition, look him square in the eye and deny him release from his suffering. i don't think its about your religious beleifs or my religious beliefs, i think its about the individual beleifs of the person suffering.

I know its not all so cut and dry, but I definately think it should be on the table as far as state legislation is concerned. People who are not getting better, and want to die after months and months of torturous pain are suffering, and we sit by with out heads hung and our hands clasped because no one has the balls to do what we all know is right.

You don't deny a dying man his last wish.

[AutoDas]

People already do it and they suffer while doing it so why not make it painless?

[amy31416]

its easy to sit in the pews or stand behind the pulpit and podium and decree this or that but I dare you to come face to face with a once proud man in that condition, look him square in the eye and deny him release from his suffering. i don't think its about your religious beliefs or my religious beliefs, i think its about the individual beliefs of the person suffering.

I know its not all so cut and dry, but I definitely think it should be on the table as far as state legislation is concerned. People who are not getting better, and want to die after months and months of torturous pain are suffering, and we sit by with out heads hung and our hands clasped because no one has the balls to do what we all know is right.

You don't deny a dying man his last wish.

Agreed 100%. It's easy to proselytize until you've seen someone waste away slowly and painfully. Individual choice. Nothing else is acceptable or humane.

[Meatwasp]

My husband died at home and the doctor gave him Morphine but he told me he wanted to be completly coherent when he went so he wouldn't take it. After he died my son and I saw a beautiful blue light above his body. Later I talked to Southern people and they told me that was his spirit light and it happened always when a person died at home naturally. When my time comes I will do the same. No suicide drugs.

[TastyWheat]

If proper procedure is used (i.e. consent forms and the like) then euthanasia is fine with me. I even believe assisted suicide can be acceptable (again, with proper procedure). However, if someone can't communicate their wish to die then it's not fair to euthanize him or her.

[Knightskye]

Amendment X (http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html)

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Exactly.

[soapmistress]

The Hippocratic oath, while hilarious in it's reference to Apollo and other gods and godesses, specifically prohibits euthenasia and abortion, and surgery unless trained specifically as a surgeon. It's an interesting contrast between oaths and actions, in many areas these days.


Original, translated from Greek.[1]

“ I swear by Apollo, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath.
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.

I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.

To please no one will I prescribe a deadly drug nor give advice which may cause his death.

Nor will I give a woman a pessary to procure abortion.

But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.

I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.

In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.

All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.

[Working Poor]

I believe the powers that be in government want to reduce the population. Politicians may say they are pro-life or pro-choice to gain the support of these groups but it does not really mean anything. Look how Bush based practically his whole campaign on pro-life and no gay marriage this was a design to gain the support of a certain majority of voters.

Our government was started by people who wanted freedom but, over time it has gradually changed while a small group of billionaires manipulate the law to work in their favor.

The question is do enough people care about their individual liberties enough to stand up to a government that has a totally different agenda....

[Tsar Bomba]

I think as Libertarians (for those of us who are) - this is pretty simple and doesn't even require lengthy discussion:

Yes, these substances should be legal. You can buy Drano and pour it down your throat if you want, you don't see legislation trying to prevent Drano-suicide. Give it time, however.

Yes, euthenasia should be legal IF IT IS VOLUNTARY. If the would-be euthenized does not consent, it would be murder. You would be taking the life of another against his will and given consent.

Yes, I've thought about the "brain dead" and this is a gray area. However, doing something to someone (i.e. their property) without their consent is immoral.

If you allow someone to arbitrarily judge whether or not another person can be put to death then it becomes hard to draw the line. The lines must be clear.

No one can tell you what you can or cannot put in your body or do with your own body, it is your first and most important piece of private property.

[brandon]

Of course euthenasia should be legal.

A better question is, would you want to abortion pill to be legalized?

I say yes.