Using that logic, then the right to drink, becomes a duty to get drunk.
My stance is quite simnple ... allow the person the OPTION to determine his own fate. Some people would call this 'Freedom' (a topic that I'm pretty sure FreeRepublic is pretty much in favor of). Other people would call this Liberty (another topic that FreeRepublic espouses as a 'good thing').
As a healthy person, we have the option at any point in time to terminate our lives. Some do, but a vast majority endure whatever hardship they have, and persevere. But, if we are suddenly struck sick, paralyzed or terminal - this ability is stripped from us, without appeal. Life is full of slippery slopes; it's up to us to know what to do, and when. I call it "Personal Responsibility".
To say that "right to die" quickly desolves into "involuntary euthanasia" is like saying that abortion proponent's "right to choose" quickly becomes "involuntary abortion". (for the record, I am a "Right to Life" proponent - the baby has no voice in his fate).
To force someone to remain alive, beyond what would be a normal lifespan - is nothing short of sadism. You are abusing a person who is helpless to fight back.
Is your stance "Life at all costs" or do you support a "Death Panel" that determines when your 'Quality of Life' or medical costs justify pulling the plug?
What I disagree with is that we have a right to force or expect someone else to do it for us. Funny you should bring the abortion debate into this. The “right to choose” is becoming the right to force someone else to terminate the life of the unborn. As you may know, in some places there aren't enough butchers willing to do the dirty work, so medical schools are forcing doctors to be trained in abortion techniques.
“To force someone to remain alive, beyond what would be a normal lifespan - is nothing short of sadism.”
Your statement sure sounds like those awful prolifers “forcing” someone to continue with an unwanted pregnancy.
“Is your stance “Life at all costs” or do you support a “Death Panel” that determines when your ‘Quality of Life’ or medical costs justify pulling the plug?”
Sorry, I don't accept either of your choices. Are you aware that most people who commit suicide are depressed (rather than terminal) and that treating the depression often eases the urge to commit suicide?
I did notice that you didn't really deal with my main point of the vulnerable being pressured into assisted suicide. Sorry, I can't take your “duty to get drunk” flip comment seriously.
The culture of death has no place on FR.