Jack Kevorkian wants to Knock em Dead in Congress

Hello Politisite,

When I saw the name 'Kevorkian,' my first thought was 'oh, this is a change of pace for Politisite!'  But I see now after reading your article, that he fits right into your politics niche.

We could have a great debate here about euthanasia - and I suppose I'll kick it off by saying that I believe in euthanasia if a person has a painful, debilitating disease from which he'll never recover.

I don't believe in euthanasia for those who just claim to be sick of life, those who want to leave the world because someone dumped them, or for any other reason for that matter.

As for Kevorkian being forced to the back of vans and hotel rooms to administer the lethal injections - doesn't this situation remind you of abortions when they were first illegal?

Girls ended up with serious blood infections, internal injuries and all manner of health problems, until abortions were allowed by law in hospitals. 

People have a right to choose what to do with their lives when pain becomes unbearable and narcotics are not desired.

Narcotics cause constant sleepiness when administered in the last incredibly painful months of a disease and communication with family is almost impossible.  This is no life for a person.

I have a strong opinion on euthanasia because my mother died of lung cancer just a couple of years ago.  When I flew back to Australia to spend time with her in hospital, she lay there motionless barely recognizing me and most of the time she slept.

I would sit by her bedside, singing the songs she sang to me as a baby, I'd hoped that it would trigger recognition - but that would only come once before she died.

I remember gently washing and massaging her, thinking how embarrassed she'd be if she were truly coherent and not totally spaced out on the drugs.

Dignity meant a lot to my mother - and she simply had none left.

It's the saddest thing in the world for a child to witness.

I've spoken to David (my husband) about this and asked him that if ever I come to the same situation as my mother, I want to be taken to Switzerland where I know euthanasia IS legal, under the right circumstances.

It should be legalized here, but with strict hospital controls to moniter and assess the person's ongoing health, level of pain and long-term diagnosis.

My 2c,
     ~ Swan