If I have misrepresented your views in any way then I apologise unreservedly.
I thought you advocated killing certain members of society (namely those who are elderly, who have a very poor quality of life and no prospect of recovery, and who lack the means to pay for their care) without their consent. I also thought that you were prepared to advocate the same fate for severely handicapped people. Killing such people would certainly be murder.
Perhaps you could explain how you disagree with the view I have outlined above, and give me the chance to apologise for my misquotes and misrepresentation. If not, you might perhaps explain how killing innocent people who have expressed no wish to die is not murder. I would be very interested indeed to read such an argument.
Ok first of all - killing and putting to sleep are different approaches with different connotations. So if you want to discuss the subject seriously don't twist my words. The objective should be trying to extract the meaning and idea not to personally attack me.
If you wish to ask "do you mean kill them?" I would reply no. And then we may expand on discussing the alternatives.
If you respond by saying I'm talking crap and to you that is effectively killing - then that is fine by me. However, my interpretation of your response would be that you have a narrow definition for ending life. You may well be right but not by my approach. If somebody ended my life saving me from the later stages of a terminal illness that too me would be compassionate act of mercy. To you it may be a killing or murder. Can you comprehend the point I am trying to make here?
Few of examples - have you seen anybody die at home from cancer? I have and it is not a pretty sight. Towards the end I was asking my self why is all this suffering so extended letting it run its full course. Why not just give double or triple dose of morphine and end it in a dignified way. Everybody was suffering without a doubt. Aunty, uncle, cousins relatives neighbours - everyone. The body was littered with bruises. Bed sheets constantly being soiled. Constant pain. Everybody sitting around for it to end. Then finally, one night the body can't take much more and passes away in their sleep. When someone has 6 months to live the last couple of months are not good.
Consider dementia... One of my uncles had it. Condition deteriated quite badly. Once again after some time he didn't even remember his own children. Aunty tearing her hair out. Can't be left alone as they can become confused and endanger their life... Once again the bodilly functions go and they start pooing in their pants like a baby. However, with grown-ups changing and washing is not like changing nappies on a baby. You can imagine. After a while it is obviously unbearable situation. Cousins confused and heart broken on how to help aunty who is also old and unable to cope. Cousins busy looking after their own families and children. Aunty is force to move uncle to an old peoples home. The end is predictable with many more complications and unless there is very strong close family support - the person wastes away usually alone once again in pain and unable to recognise or acknowledge those around him. As for loved ones looking on it is just very painful. You feel pain for not visiting. And you feel more pain when you visit and see the poor soul.
Now in my opinion - of the many different types of illness, these two are quite common and not as bad or withdrawn as few others. There is worse when one person may be bed ridden or wheel chair bound with reduced mental state or communication.
With an aging popullation - these are going to grow in number significantly.
In these circumstances if we as a society were to openly discuss the end of life and various ways of finishing it then quite a lot of suffering can be avoided.
I was not suggesting people be put to sleep against their will screaming and shouting as you seem to imagine. It should be a choice or an option to be considered. I think it may take time for our acceptance and opinions to change but I know from personal experience it would be a route desirable for me in such circumstance. I see no shame or offence in the path being made available or in the option suggested as an alternative.
You see this is what I'm trying to say. At no point did I suggest to Splitlink that he should end his life because he has some back pain - as you did. The moment you get all high and mighty with your morality and twisting my words the blogging turns from discussion to a farce.
As for costs in looking after the aging popullation with limited resources available to the council authorities - are they better off spending monies on elderly people homes or support for young children? Now there is a dilemma??? If you check your council bill you'll find elderly peoples homes take up a disproportionate amount of monies as it is very resource intensive.
As the working popullation declines so will taxes. Aging popullation costs will rise in health and pensions.
What would your solution or proposition be to this impending problem??? Calling me names is not an option.
.
