The weird part about it all is that there is a different form of suicide that is far less objectionable, in fact, is almost laudable. It’s called “A trip to rural Mexico”.
The purpose is to escape the twisted machinations of doctors, government and technology to extend life beyond where it should naturally end, followed by the grotesque games played with one’s Earthly remains after death.
There are hundreds of small, rural towns in Mexico, where for a small fee one can reside in their final days, and be buried with honor and respect in a polite funeral, once death has visited. Not suicide in the usual sense, just being in a place where death is about, to be found in a sip of water, a breath of air, or just about, sooner or later.
Perhaps a friendly Priest or Reverend to minister to you in your final days, to help you recapture your faith, surrounded by people unafraid of life, and thoughtful to their elders, happy to tend to your needs like you were a relative, a tradition in such places.
And you can repay their kindness with a small stipend, that may improve their lives, perhaps buy their children new shoes for their small feet, or some extra rice and beans for a while. Perhaps much more for the favor.
It will not change the world, but it might give some peace to a troubled spirit, tired and sick of Deux ex machina, the refusal to permit others a harmonious passing from the cacophony of life, and the morbid curiosity of those who ritually defile the dead as a strange entertainment, and for great sums of money.
For in passing itself, is it not to seek the peace that passeth understanding?
Thank you.
I would suggest that the very real, pre-existing option that you relate would be virtually unthinkable to the Socialist mindset, who demand that all needs, from cradle to grave, be either provided by the Government or enthusiastically supported by the Government and Law. When it is problematic for the Government to automatically and without a word provide a 'service', The Socialist wants to be able to pick up a Government-printed and distributed Official Telephone Book, lift the receiver that connects to a Government-run telephone exchange and contact a Government-approved entity to provide the 'service'.
Going to rural Mexico and drinking the naturally-lethal water or travelling in an area where you will likely be beset by banditos / 'police' would require original thought that is outside the realm of Government Control, and it seems that many Europeans are absolutely delighted to pay many times what the cost of a plane ride to Mexico would run, in order to have it done in a Government-approved manner that has a facade of Government Approved medical science attached to it.
Explain this part to me. Every patient in the USA already ---properly---- has a right to refuse any surgery, mediction, therapy, or any other intervention to extend life "beyond where it should naturally end."
If you specify that you don't want a respirator, a kidney dialysis, a coronary operation, chemo or radiation or even O2, they can't force it on you, and if they do they can be prosecuted for assault.
You also have a right to suspend ALL medical treatment and be given simple palliative care --- comfort care ---until your life comes to its natural end.
All that in mind, why would a person have to go to Mexico? OK, I can see some advantages ---- much cheaper to get a cook, laundress and personal attendant there --- but I wouldn't think it's necessary to go there to evade aggressive treatment.