Posted on 10/10/2005 9:31:15 AM PDT by conservativebabe
Sure, so let's pass a constitutional amendment.
"So, given that about 10 constitutional principles collide in this one,..."
Which ones? I'm no scholar, but I don't see where the constitution addresses this at all.
I can.
Prostitution. It's legal in some parts of Nevada.
It's illegal in the vast majority of the rest of the nation.
It's even repugnant to many, maybe even a majority.
The federal government doesn't do anything about that. It's left to the states.
I was speaking more to the decision to do it, not the actual act. The people make the decision and the state allows doctors to go along with that decision. Does the doctor actually have to do anything beyond writing the prescription (i.e. does the patient administer the drug themselves?)
Right, and they did so wrongly. At least, however, there is a strong case that the drug trade truly affects interstate commerce. Unlike doctor assisted suicide.
Every State that has passed a law legalizing medical marijuana has legal medical marijuana. The Feds can enforce the Federal law if they wish, but the State laws stand.
"Should you be able to doctor shop until you find one who agrees to kill you? Should you be able to employ any person of your choosing to kill you?"
Yes, and Yes.
Then that 'God-given right' should be enumerated as a constitutional ammendment. End runs are what the Left does and we shouldn't follow their lead.
This issue is an easy one.
Just like with abortion, it should be left up to the states.
That is the only acceptable conservative position.
"Providing someone with something they may or may not choose to kill themselves with" is hardly the same as "killing someone". And neither one of them seems much like "interstate commerce".
"First, there is the issue of equal protection and due process"
'Splain to me how either of those are appliable to someone deciding to have themsleves euthanized?
"First, there is the issue of equal protection and due process"
'Splain to me how either of those are applicable to someone deciding to have themsleves euthanized?
As pointed out by another poster, and always left out of the conversation, the argument is not over assisted suicide, but over the use of federally regulated drugs to assit in suicide. There I believe the Feds have a legitimate interest in the matter.
This is a state issue and the Feds have no constitutional authority to ram their power down Oregonians' throats. No, I would not vote for a state sentator or state rep who advocated this for my state. But under our federal system, Oregon unquestionably has the right to do this.
If we were not so conditioned to federal presidents, congresses, and courts ignoring the 9th & 10th amendments and trampling on the authority of the states, I don't think this would even be debated.
The argument in favor of suicide is twofold: self-determination and compassion.
The argument in favor of natural death is: power abuse, the value of life, murder laws, and coercion.
The problems far outweigh the benefits.
"I am an Oregonian. I voted against physician assisted suicide and would be happy to do so again"
Great. But you lost. The issue is should the Federal Gvt supercede your fellow Oregonian's wishes.
The doctor proscribes the drugs. If the doctor doesn't actually do anything to the patient then if a doctor gives someone a perscription that they are clearly allergic to, with the possibility of death and the person takes them and dies, well you can't sue. The doctor didn't do anything to the patient, he only gave them a prescription.
Two things. They are not euthanizing themselves. Doctors / pharmacists are supplying them with the means to do it, assisting with the process. Second, we are not talking about digging fence posts here. We are talking about life, one of the most fundamental things that the state is charged with respecting. Respect for life is the begining of what separates common law countries from the fascists.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.