Proposal:

There have been countless advances in medical technology that is allowing us to stay healthier, control and cure diseases, and even keep us alive if our lungs, hearts, and minds give out. Many of us are having to face the immense burden and unbearable decisions that come with terminal disease and end of life care. Today people are taking it a bit further and fighting for their “right to die” with dignity before they become unable to care for themselves and become completely dependent on others.  Unfortunately, many states, and even more disheartening, family members, are fighting the dying wishes of those who are nearing the end of their lives. Over the past few years, many states have been allowing physician assisted suicide, or “Death with Dignity” to be practiced and carried out. It is in the best interest of the country to follow in the footsteps of states like Washington, Oregon, and Vermont, and allow a person in their right mind with a debilitating terminal illness to choose not to live the rest of their life in suffering, not only for human rights purposes, but for economic purposes as well.

How Mom’s Death Changed My Thinking About End-of-Life Care

 Charles Orstein’s mother Harriet was sent into a coma after her heart stopped while doctors were inserting a nasogastric tube. She was hooked up to a breathing machine, had a feeding tube inserted,  and was given a constant iv drip of medication to stabilize her blood pressure. Obviously this all costs a whole lot of money, on top of the cost to even be admitted in a hospital room.

Although I understand it’s extremely hard to part with loved ones, I believe there is a part of everybody who wants to keep somebody ‘alive’ for as long as possible, sending hospital bills through the roof just for the chance to be with the person for a few weeks longer. I believe that it is a much more financially sound choice to listen to the doctors diagnoses and make a choice based upon that diagnosis. If it is not expected of the patient to make it, then don’t prolong the inevitable.

Intend to Use: As an example for the monetary side of the argument.

Starting the debate on end of life

This article lays out the foundation for the debate, saying that a vast majority of American’s are senior citizens or quickly approaching that title. With the baby boomers becoming of age, that now leaves us with an important question, Do we have the right to die? Physician assisted suicide is only legal in a few states right now, but it is a topic of major importance. Many believe that a patient should have the right to die, and I do too. Life is something that belongs to the individual, not to a judge, or a doctor, and if I was terminally sick and wanted to end my suffering, then by God I should be able to do just that.

Intend to Use: Summary of the controversy

State Senators Look to Introduce ‘Death With Dignity’ Legislation This Month

This article explains that even though Death with Dignity is only legal in 5 states, a very large state, New York, is fighting for that right to be implemented in their laws. The article focuses on a young woman in her late 20’s who recently chose to her life because she developed brain cancer and didn’t want to suffer. Two NY politicians are lobbying the bill in the state.

Intend to Use: To show that even more populous, influential states like NY are proposing the legislation.

Assisted Suicide: A Right or a Wrong?

This article lays out a nice understanding of what those who support the idea of assisted suicide believe. They believe that we as compassionate human beings should be understanding of a suffering person who wants to end their life with a sense of dignity.

Intend to Use : As an emotional argument to explain the compassion and understanding it takes to allow a patient to be freed from their suffering.

Jack Kevorkian Biography

Good ol’ Doctor Death. Jack Kevorkian is pretty much the symbol of physician assisted suicide because he helped over 70 terminally ill patients peacefully end their lives before any type of Death with Dignity law was enacted. He was brought on trial and even served jail time for his part in the deaths of those 70 patients, but even after he got out, he continued helping patients in need.

Intend to use: As the preface to physician assisted suicide, how it began, how it grew in popularity, etc.

How A Woman’s Plan To Kill Herself Helped Her Family Grieve

This is an NPR broadcast on how Sandra Bem decided to end her life before her Alzheimer’s disease got the best of her. This story actually was very touching, although it made me extremely upset, I felt happy for the family who was able to see their loved one die with dignity. What was amazing to me was how her family collectively dealt with her death very well. They explained that seeing her go peacefully helped them immensely with the grieving process.

Intend to use: Helps psychologically with dealing with the death of a loved one with a terminal illness.

Stephen Hawking Backs Assisted Suicide For The Terminally Ill

There nothing really too powerful in this source, I just really like Stephen Hawking’s quote “We don’t let animals suffer, so why humans?” I think those words are very powerful in convincing those who might be on the fence with this controversy.

Intend to Use: just as a quote.

History of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide

This source shows that until recently, assisted suicide has always been seen as a negative thing. The roots of the negativity stem back to religious beliefs. Now, more and more people are realizing that there is much more of a positive aspect to having a loved one go peacefully rather than seeing them go in pain and suffering.

Intend to use: As a historical background

Should euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide be legal?

I always like to browse these pro’s and con’s sites for insight on what the opposing side believes in. It helps create an understanding of what people believe on both sides, and it wrangles up all viewpoints in a concise manner.

Intend to use: Concession? If we need one?

Canada’s Highest Court Has Overturned Ban on Assisted Suicide

This is a giant step for PAS worldwide. Many (if not all I’m not sure) European countries have Right to Death laws enacted in their Constitutions, and now a North American country has overturned a PAS ban.

Intend to Use: To show that many other governments/countries allow for this right.

http://www.deathwithdignity.org/advocates/national