Assisted Suicide

Imagine a couple who are both gravely ill, the woman is slowly falling into Alzheimer's claws, the man with cancer. Instead of living in pain, they choose to commit suicide and ask their son for help. Despite the jurisdictional danger and emotional anxiety that causes him, he agrees, and ultimately performs an act of love more difficult than any other that has been heard of. The Last Goodnights provides a rare and unflinching look deep into the reality of one of the most galvanizing issues in our present time: physician assisted suicide. Being totally frank, John West's account of the deaths of two brave people he loved more than life itself, is both frightening and illuminating, gritty and loving. It shows a very powerful testimonial act of death by choice, and also reveals the complete sense to why these end-of-life issues are far too personal for the government to intrude onto. The Last Goodnights points out the unnecessary agony and suffering that is labored upon moribund people and their families, not just one time, but time after time;and honor to choose to live or die with dignity and strength. In the end, this story is not just about death--it is a story of how love, courage, and autonomy are tested. John West , the author of "The Last Goodnights," goes into the profound torment that is encompassed with his actions when he assisted both of his parents with their suicides (fghl;dg

Physician Assisted Suicide has always been a very delicate and touchy subject, but the biggest concerns we must deal with, are health care premiums, the great amounts of hardship and strain that can be conserved, and finally, the freedom to choose.

It's no secret that health care premiums costs have taken an extensive rise in the last decade. Many workers around the country go on strike, protesting this increase. Controversy regularly takes place on how to provide cheaper prescription drugs, care for the uninsured, and the best method to fight the skyrocketing costs many have to deal with. Consider the existing tremendous costs of keeping a dying patient alive for a few more months. The medical bills for the hospital overhead, x-rays, drugs, lab tests, medical staff salaries, etc. Many families spend from $50,000, up to $100,000, maybe more, just to keep withering patients alive. The question that must be asked is "is this the best way to spend money when the convalescent much prefers to die instead of living with the torture?"

Wouldn't the money and time be better spent on the patients that actually have hope? The ones who aren't in so much risk? It's completely unreasonable to spend money on patients that just want to end their suffering. As Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs drive the United States to bankruptcy, anything that causes a decrease to these costs must be a consideration. Most want to leave their family with something when they die, but medical expenses make it almost impossible.

Astounding amounts of suffering and pain for patients can be saved. Numerous ailments, such as cancer, result in a slow, tortuous death. What is the purpose to suffer endlessly until the body finally gives out from all the excruciating paroxysm? This physiological suffering and the patient's knowledge that he's definitely going to die, along with the misery will only get worse, must considered. Physicians have enough experience to know if a patient's not going to pull through. Isn't it more humane to give the patient the option to say when he's had enough? Isn't it? Why keep the patient suffering? It's not necessary, so why all the pain?

It is also true that by legalising Physician Assisted Suicide, it runs the risks of becoming a lifestyle choice. In Oregon, a physician assisted suicide study showed that out of six people, one suffered from depression. Many are taking this as an exit from living, why not just legalize it, making it

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