tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post6358050885104310048..comments2024-03-28T13:26:59.030-04:00Comments on Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Pressure to expand euthanasia and assisted suicide laws.Alex Schadenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-66234128173069679222021-05-03T16:43:56.319-04:002021-05-03T16:43:56.319-04:00This is indeed a most diabolical ratchet-like stra...This is indeed a most diabolical ratchet-like strategy. Although we have experienced it up close in Canada, it remains difficult to offer definite advice to our friends elsewhere.<br /><br />One point, I believe to be key, is the whole question of "legal" vs "desirable", and this, particularly from a medical standpoint. USA for instance, is not like Canada. The govt can not just decree the nature of medicine the way that has been done in our socialist system.<br /><br />As an analogy, I would reference the Declaration of Independence, where some rights are delimited, including the "pursuit of happiness". Please note that "happiness" itself is not defined as a right, but only its "pursuit". In the same way, I would like to see our American cousins insist that the decriminalization of assisted suicide in no way entails a "right" to that service (as has so perniciously been claimed in Canada). A suicidal individual has the mere right to "pursue" that service (by finding a Dr or clinic willing to accommodate him within the scope of the law). No more.<br /><br />In particular, there is no reason, in a free medical system, why any institution should be held to offer this service. On the contrary. Free competition would imply that hospitals be allowed to exploit this consumer advantage by hanging prominent banners on the front of their facilities clearly proclaiming : "Doctors will kill no patients here".<br /><br />Once again, as we have found in Canada, the real battle is not about legalization, it is about normalization. And people in the USA have advantages to fight that terrible tendency which we do not have. I wish to warmly encourage our American friends to use those precious advantages to the utmost.<br /><br />Gordon Friesen, Montreal<br />http://www.euthanasiediscussion.net/ (français)<br /><br />http://euthanasiadiscussion.com/ (english site in development)<br /><br />http://hopeandfree.com/ (personal philosophical musings)gordon friesenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14093992667966373256noreply@blogger.com