During at least part of our 12 years of mandated schooling, we
learn about words. How to spell them. Pronounce them. Use them
correctly in a sentence. The goal being to teach us how to
communicate clearly.
During at least part of our 12 years of mandated schooling, we learn about words. How to spell them. Pronounce them. Use them correctly in a sentence. The goal being to teach us how to communicate clearly.
Even as those structured lessons are being taught in the classroom, life’s busy teaching us how to use words in other, shall we say, more creative ways.
We learn slang in order to be cool. We learn puns in order to be funny. We learn sarcasm in order to be mean while pretending that “we’re just teasing.” We learn euphemisms in order to put a positive spin on a difficult message.
I’m not fond of any misuse of the English language but I’d have to say that euphemisms bother me the most. I don’t like lies and half-truths (ask my children) – and that’s how I feel when politicians, journalists and persuasive speakers use them.
Case in point, Assembly Bill 654. Introduced by Patti Berg (Santa Rosa) and Lloyd Levine (Van Nuys), AB 654 has already been amended, barely passed the house, and slated for review by the California Senate in January of 2006.
It’s called, “The California Compassionate Choices Act.” Now, doesn’t that sound warm and fuzzy?
But couched beneath those words of empathy lies a bill that takes a solid swing at life. If passed, this piece of legislation will legalize physician assisted suicide. Our state will be the second in the nation (some say the world) where you can choose to end your life on the date and in the medical manner you choose.
One small piece of legislation but a giant step for humanity. It takes us from accepting passive euthanasia (the hospice ideal of letting nature take it course without intervention) toward active euthanasia (artificially inducing death.)
The bill can be read online and is a fascinating read. I was able to slog my way through most of it without a lawyer standing by to interpret. I’d encourage Dispatch readers to look it up under “legislature.ca.gov/” (and, in light of this bill, get your Advance Directives finished!)
It’s considered a “non-mandated” proposal which means that doctors, terminal patients, the disabled and the elderly are not required to participate.
There are, however, a few institutions that do receive a mandate.
Insurance companies must comply and cannot discriminate against or restrict an individual’s right to end their life by, “lethal injection, mercy killing, or active euthanasia.”
This might be a financial benefit to health insurance groups who will no longer have to pay terminal patients’ medical bills for months or years.
It also means that life insurances will be required to pay survivor benefits to the patients’ families (in the past, they were exempt from paying when the person committed suicide.)
The bill also provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for the patient and professionals who help them. It states that a terminally ill person who chooses to end their life has not committed suicide nor is the assisting medical professional participating in a homicide.
Personally, I’m conflicted …
On one hand, as an active player in the end-of-life arena, I understand why some people want to add physician assisted suicide to the list of hospice options. They want to empower patients by offering them the ultimate choice: the choice to no longer be.
On the other hand, over the last 10 years, I’ve walked with quite a few people in their final mile. From family to friends to assigned patients. From cancer to heart conditions to MS to ALS. In spite of their physical and emotional suffering, in spite of their physical limitations and innumerable losses – most loved life and fought hard to keep it.
In other words, I don’t think many will choose to end their life prematurely. Which prompts me to ask, “Is it necessary to change the law for the few who will?”
Between those two hands is me. I personally believe that life is a gift from God. That it has value beyond human understanding.
I believe that, until my brain stops functioning, my heart stops beating and my lungs no longer breath, my life has a purpose. My job – as it’s host – is to live until my destiny is complete. “Nothing more. Nothing less. And, nothing else.” (anon.)
I’ll continue on this line of thought next week with examples from the real world.
