What do we need to do post Washington State?

On Wednesday, March 4, 2009; Washington state will become the second state in the United States to legalize assisted suicide.

The I-1000 assisted suicide Initiative was organized by compassion & Choices and won by a 58 - 42 percent margin, legalizing assisted suicide in Washington state.

It is clear that the Compassionate & Choices - Death Lobby believes that they can make serious political gains in the next year.

Since the Washington State defeat we soon experienced the activist judicial decision in Montana by Justice Dorothy McCarter. McCarter legalized assisted suicide in Montana by judicial fiat without any concern for the democratic rights of the citizens or the legislative jurisdiction of the elected representatives. To rub salt into the wound, McCarter is determining the legal costs that will be rewarded to the plaintiffs in the case. Montana’s attorney general, Steve Bullock is appealing the decision.

Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New Mexico are debating the legalization of “Oregon style” assisted suicide and it appears likely that a bill will be introduced in Vermont during the current session.

All is not lost.
A bill that was introduced in Hawaii to legalize assisted suicide was postponed for one year. A coalition of groups were able to re-organize and present a united opposition to assisted suicide. A Previous attempt in Hawaii was defeated by a similar effort a few years ago.

Canada is facing a new legislative attempt to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, but the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition which is organized by a culturally diverse group is effectively working to convince members of parliament to oppose the bill.

In the UK, recent attempts to legalize assisted suicide have failed because the Care Not Killing Alliance is comprised of groups and people who are culturally diverse but working in a unified manner to oppose assisted suicide.

It is clear what needs to be done. We need to organize and build an effective opposition to the Death Lobby on a state by state and nation by nation basis.

The organizations need to be composed of: people with disabilities, physicians groups, religious groups, liberals, conservatives and moderates.

If you are truly wanting to become part of this organized and effective opposition to the Death Lobby, then you need to attend the Second International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide near the Dulles Airport - May 29 - 30, 2009. For more information go to www.epcc.ca

The time is now.