A 'Duty To Die' In An Advanced Civilization?

Investors.com ^ | May 10, 2010 | The great THOMAS SOWELL

[Kaslin]

One of the many fashionable notions that have caught on among some of the intelligentsia is that old people have "a duty to die," rather than become a burden to others.

This is more than just an idea discussed around a seminar table. Already the government-run medical system in Britain is restricting what medications or treatments it will authorize for the elderly. Moreover, it seems almost certain that similar attempts to contain runaway costs will lead to similar policies when American medical care is taken over by the government.

Cash Question

Make no mistake about it, letting old people die is a lot cheaper than spending the kind of money required to keep them alive and well. If a government-run medical system is going to save serious money, it is almost certain to do so by sacrificing the elderly.

There was a time — fortunately, now long past — when some desperately poor societies had to abandon old people to their fate, because there was just not enough margin for everyone to survive. Sometimes the elderly themselves would simply go off from their family and community to face their fate alone.

Is that where we are today?

[screaminsunshine]

If it is going to get this bad I am going to get the party started now. While I still can. I am tired of sitting around worrying about a bunch of stupid dumb ass commies. Screw Em.

[GeronL]

I think Obama agrees with this stuff

[Kaslin]

Ping

[Kaslin]

Might as well

[Kaslin]

He definitely does

[Del Rapier]

Yeah that is called Genocide.

[sam_paine]

[barb-tex]

reardless of what Barricuda Sarah says, there are no death panels in obummercare.
barbra ann

[Cvengr]

I prefer the other damn bastard die for his country, but would prefer another come to faith in Christ even if my life were to precede his.

[Billthedrill]

Sowell BTT.

But do you just abandon a child when it is inconvenient to raise him?

I'll ask the lady at the Planned Parenthood booth next time I see her. Well, no, actually I won't.

[Slings and Arrows]

No, Zer0 thinks that you have a "duty to die." Don't look for him or The Wookie to sign up for Quietus any time soon.

[beethovenfan]

Soylent Green - the “green” way to die!

[RFEngineer]

If you are looking to off granny because she’s a PITA, that is one thing. Of course there is no “duty to die” in this case.

If you are saying that there may be limits to life-extending medical care that the government won’t pay for in the future like it does today - and if pursuit of such care will bankrupt your survivors and leave them destitute, then I would say there IS a hypothetical duty to not pursue such care and be left to your fate.

[Tax-chick]

Dr. Sowell has a duty to live to be 120.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

BEAT ME TO IT!

[Tax-chick]

Apparently you need a lot of expensive education, sometimes including courses on ethics, before you can start talking about "a duty to die."

[wagglebee]

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[jazusamo]

Dr. Sowell nails it again. Obama, obamacare and death panels have no place in a decent society.

Thanks for the ping, Kaslin!

*PING*
Thomas Sowell

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[IYAS9YAS]

First they will tell you it's your duty to die. Then they will continue to lower the age at which that duty should be carried out.

Party elites, however, will be exempted.