The New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee recommends the House passing House Bill 1283 which would allow for euthanasia.
I concur with the Judiciary Committee in having this bill passed as it is certainly needed to progress from the cruel stupidity we have in treating euthanasia as something horrific. In reality, what is really horrific is letting someone suffer for such a long time because they are not dying a “natural” death.
According to the Keene Sentinel, the bill has a bit of contention. Two Republicans hold opposing views on it. Bob Lynn from Windham says he supports the bill passing stating his views on euthanasia have changed over time and wanting a more peaceful death as he grows older for himself. Rep. Walter Stapleton from Claremont says he is against the bill stating it can become a slippery slope to target people with depression and dementia.
The bill being offered is meant to end suffering in people who desperately need it. It would only allow people who are mentally competent and are within six months of their death to choose a less painful alternative.
What a lot of people may not realize is that being dead is not the worst part of dying, it is the process itself. While some say they do not support euthanasia out of a love for human dignity, there is nothing dignified about the deteriorating mental state as someone in pure anguish suffers for months before they are finally given the sweet release. What is dignified is letting an adult choose how they want to die.
It is inhumane and despicable to force someone in agony to suffer further so people do not have to take the responsibility of putting them out of their misery. Those opposing euthanasia should be ashamed of themselves for letting their silly fear of death get in the way of helping someone not have to face their very imminent fear of dying. Forcing someone to suffer to death and have it be viewed as righteous reminds me a lot of Mother Teresa, who carried this same mindset.
According to ScienceBlog, the late journalist Christopher Hitchens reported Mother Teresa’s reply to her criticism of letting people suffer to death. Her reply stated, “There is something beautiful in seeing the poor accept their lot, to suffer in it like Christ’s Passion. The world gains much from their suffering.”
Although Mother Teresa did horrendous stuff like this and justified it she is mostly remembered for being an altruistic person. This is exactly how anti-euthanasia talking points are. There are no good reasons to force somebody to suffer to death, however, this does not stop people from thinking it is the most righteous thing to do. The people who think this way need to stop acting high and mighty and actually take a look at the reality of the people they are letting suffer.
Those who are against letting people who will die anyway choose a more peaceful option do not care about the dignity of said person. They care about prolonging their unnecessary suffering so they can feel better about not technically ending a life. They think being dead is worse than dying in agony which is what is really terrifying.
Nico Brazill can be contacted at
nbrazill@kscequinox.com
