75 replies to this topic

[melissaphish]

I have to say I truly love living in the liberal bastion state that is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Two big YESES to both of these questions for me.

[elder]

I vote YES and YES also.

Even our Gov. Christie, so called big time conservative, publically acknowledged that the War On Drugs is a failure. He's was also for the recently passed law reducing the penalty for possession of small amounts of mj.

Liberal, Conservative, and all the shit in between. If everyone would just think of themselves as ONE country and worked towards common sense solutions, like this one that both sides acknowledge.

[Ginger Snap]

Yes and No...In theory I agree with assisted suicide, but in pratice there are just damn many ways it could go wrong- you know, kind of like the death penalty.

[Jwheelz]

Yes and No...In theory I agree with assisted suicide, but in pratice there are just damn many ways it could go wrong- you know, kind of like the death penalty.

this.


Yes and No... same reasons

[Jabadoodle]

Q1: YES
"Right to Repair" Auto manufactures have to make same
diagnostic & repair info available to consumers and private
repair shops as they do to authorized dealers.

Q2: YES
"Death with Dignity" / Assisted Suicide. In the abstract I agree
with Snap & Wheelz and have argued that point. Reading the
ballot question it seems to me there are enough safe-guards
in place, so I'm voting yes.

Q3: YES
Medical MJ. Certainly there are medical uses. Mostly I don't
think the governments should be regulating this at all.

[Julius]

I just have got to say, I REALLY MISS MA when it comes to ballot questions.

You guys have this standard where you actually know what you are voting for!!!!! That is something you should be proud of because here, they write them in such a way as to fool you into voting for the opposite of what you really want.

[china cat]

Yes and No... with assisted suicide there are just damn many ways it could go wrong- you know, kind of like the death penalty.

agree

[Tim the Beek]

Yes and No...In theory I agree with assisted suicide, but in pratice there are just damn many ways it could go wrong- you know, kind of like the death penalty.

What Wit says.

[tyedyedee]

i am planning to vote yes on all three questions, as well, although i do agree that there is a lot of room for error on the assisted suicide question, if it passes......so i guess what i end up voting on that question will depend on my feeling at that moment

[Jabadoodle]

Yes, I'm concerned about it "in practice" too. Reading the actual ballot question, I'm satisfied with the safeguards.

Death penalty and assisted-suicide are similar...but different in an important way:

* With the death penalty -- any time or way that a mistake is made it is *always*
harming and removing the rights of a citizen and *never* is NOT doing it harming
the rights of anyone.

* With assisted-suicide -- when the government curtails the right of all people to decide
for themselves how to end their lives it is removing individual rights *every* time.

[Java Time]

yes and no

mj should be legal for all 21+...but for starters I guess for medicinal purposes will

a.s. legal? what GS and JW say...less the death penaly crack and adding where do lines get drawn

[wonka]

yes, yes and yes.

I am pro-choice, whether it be for assisted suicide or terminating a pregnancy. The Gov't should not be involved in either of these personal family very hard decisions.

Perhaps I am not fully understanding the link/mentions with the death penalty, but in one scenario a terminally ill patient can make a choice to slowly die from the disease or to take matters into their own hands. There is no chance of an innocent person being put to death by their peers.

[Jabadoodle]

Wonka, for me (and I'm pretty sure this is what Michelle meant) the death-penalty comes in like this: I happen to believe that once a person takes certain actions (commits certain crimes) they have no more "right" to life. The remainder of society, acting through government, can kill or not kill them -- as it sees fit for it's own best interest. In short, I'm "for" the death penalty in one view. ~ But I would not vote FOR the death penalty and I would vote AGAINST it because in too many cases it has been applied incorrectly. That is, it's been used when it shouldn't. ~ The only fail-safe way to prevent misuse it to not allow it at all.

The same could be said of Assisted-Suicide. Even if you believe that people should be allowed to end their own lives and that government has no place in stopping you...many (including me) are concerned that it could be misused. That relatives or doctors could end a life for their own reasons, whether is be convenience, monetary gain, wanting the person's organs, or just a mistake.

That is a real concern for me...but again:
* This bill offers many protections against that.
* Voting against this WILL without a doubt deprive many people of a right they should have.

[Spidergawd]

All I know is I really hope assisted suicide is legal should I ever need it. I can't imagine being forced into a painful, slow, awful decline with no way out.

[Tim the Beek]

All I know is I really hope assisted suicide is legal should I ever need it. I can't imagine being forced into a painful, slow, awful decline with no way out.

Even if it's not legal, I 'spect...ok don't 'spect...know...that you're loved enough that you'd find the help you needed.

I'm uncomfortable with institutionalizing the loss of life. Whether or not to continue should be a personal decision, and the more hands that are involved with personal decisions, the more they're open to abuse, coercion, etc. In my book. Yer book may read different.

[Spidergawd]

I agree with the personal decision part. Should be 100% on the patient, and only applicable if that patient is still "of sound mind". Not sure I'm comfortable with others making that call.

[Spidergawd]

Perhaps it could also be included in a living will? The patient could grant decision authority to a proxy, such as a spouse or other kin?

[Tim the Beek]

I haven't read the MA initiative, so I don't know the particulars.

Also a little skeeved by the notion of them that's taken the Hippocratic Oath helping people to die...

[Jambear]

I am at work smoking a joint and drinking a seconal smoothie right now.

Actually, i live in N.H. and the whole live free or die thing is a joke.

Go Mass..........Pass it all!

[melissaphish]

Dont vote on question 1! It is a done deal, and they passed the law too late to remove it from the ballot. Just skip it!

Voted - waffled on assisted suicide but ended up voting yes.

[TheDHJ]

CO is voting on MJ legalization this year. Looks like it's going to pass. Same measure is on the ballot in OR and WA.

[Joker]

Ya know, something could go wrong and that medical marijuana could get into the hands of others who could abuse it and end up jumping of the Tobin Bridge....Just Say No D'oh

[china cat]

We're asserting quality of life supersedes its sanctity. Very slippery slope that troubles me.

[melissaphish]

We're asserting quality of life supersedes its sanctity. Very slippery slope that troubles me.

if it was me, I would want the option. Especially when it gets to the point that you are unable to throw yourself off of a cliff or other methods to end your unrelenting pain without other's assistance.

[Chip]

Boston has a question 4

Unlike the other three ballot questions, which will become law if they secure a majority of the votes, Question 4 is a non-binding referendum aimed at demonstrating popular support for the progressive budget priorities

http://www.baystateb...al12-2012-11-01

[china cat]

Hi M.,

I'm not sure this is as much about taking away the right to commit suicide as it is about the state sanctioned ability of doctors (who took an oath to heal) to instead participate in the killing of a person.

Most focus on individual cases of suffering. Yes, many people have and many more will suffer, in many ways (child abuse, hunger, painful illness). I just don't see laws sanctioning death to avoid suffering as the answer.

It's a complicated issue and I certainly understand the perspective of others, just not sure I can get behind it.

[melissaphish]

Doctors pledge to do no harm. But if someone is in constant, unrelenting pain, and at the end of their life, is it doing no harm to not give them the means to end thier pain? Is it doing harm to give them those means?

Tough questions, with no easy answers, but at least if the law passes, doctors who are morally opposed do not have to write prescriptions.

[u.s.blues]

yes, and maybe...

[wonka]

Hi M.,

I'm not sure this is as much about taking away the right to commit suicide as it is about the state sanctioned ability of doctors (who took an oath to heal) to instead participate in the killing of a person.

Most focus on individual cases of suffering. Yes, many people have and many more will suffer, in many ways (child abuse, hunger, painful illness). I just don't see laws sanctioning death to avoid suffering as the answer.

It's a complicated issue and I certainly understand the perspective of others, just not sure I can get behind it.

Doctors pledge to do no harm. But if someone is in constant, unrelenting pain, and at the end of their life, is it doing no harm to not give them the means to end thier pain? Is it doing harm to give them those means?

Tough questions, with no easy answers, but at least if the law passes, doctors who are morally opposed do not have to write prescriptions.

I agree with Melissa.

I assume that folks who vote no also are pro-life and not pro-choice when it comes to abortion, if not, isn't that flawed logic when it comes to sanctity of life thing. In my eyes, these two topics go hand in hand in the pro-choice vs pro-life arguments.

[Java Time]

Even if it's not legal, I 'spect...ok don't 'spect...know...that you're loved enough that you'd find the help you needed.

I'm uncomfortable with institutionalizing the loss of life. Whether or not to continue should be a personal decision, and the more hands that are involved with personal decisions, the more they're open to abuse, coercion, etc. In my book. Yer book may read different.

very well put

[Java Time]

Also a little skeeved by the notion of them that's taken the Hippocratic Oath helping people to die...

Doctors already help people die (do not resuscitate order by the patient or give the option to family; life support or no life support).

IMO that's too much power given to them already...Sorry folks saw the movie COMA as a child...can't have Doctor's given that power

[Spidergawd]

I want the power, for myself. The doctors should only have it with my express consent.

[china cat]

I agree with Melissa.

I assume that folks who vote no also are pro-life and not pro-choice when it comes to abortion, if not, isn't that flawed logic when it comes to sanctity of life thing. In my eyes, these two topics go hand in hand in the pro-choice vs pro-life arguments.

Hi W

I am consistent in my thinking. Opposed to abortion. Opposed to death penalty, Opposed to the wars. Also vegetarian. Try to, compassionately and thoughtfully, adhere to sanctity of life ethic. Complicated issues, I question my stances and understand there are exceptions and cases worth reconsidering. Always growing...

[Depends]

Something I learned during my brother's ordeal. He had a signed DNR, with my sister as proxy. He had gone through an instance where they did not do anything, he had slipped into a coma... Well he came out of it, then several days later, my sister walks in, and they were working on him. She said that he had a DNR. They said that becomes invalid after the first time, and that my brother had changed his mind, and signed a different order (I forget what it is called, but basically says use all efforts to revive...)
Point being, that things can change in the final days...

I spoke with him a couple of times about dosing him. Earlier on, he said he would want me to OD him with morphine, if I could. As he got worse, he started to change his view, even though he was in more pain. LUCKILY for me, I did not have to make that decision, nor did I participate. He died a " natural" death, complete with pain.
Even though he had asked me, and even though it was his wish, I don't think I would have been able to dose him...

[Jabadoodle]

We're asserting quality of life supersedes its sanctity. Very slippery slope that troubles me.

I don't see the issue in those terms. I think we're asserting that the individual
has the right to decide if quality supersedes sanctity for themselves rather than
the government deciding for them.

...can't have Doctor's given that power

This law does not give the power to doctors. It gives it to the patient to decide
and adds safeguards (multiple requests separated in time, independent witness
that is not a relative or affiliated with the hospital, etc.) to insure that it is the
patient's decision.

[Tim the Beek]

Can we all at least agree that Spidergawd won't have any trouble finding some boardies to poke smot and choke him out?

Can we at least agree on that?

[TEO]

Something I learned during my brother's ordeal. He had a signed DNR, with my sister as proxy. He had gone through an instance where they did not do anything, he had slipped into a coma... Well he came out of it, then several days later, my sister walks in, and they were working on him. She said that he had a DNR. They said that becomes invalid after the first time, and that my brother had changed his mind, and signed a different order (I forget what it is called, but basically says use all efforts to revive...)
Point being, that things can change in the final days...

I spoke with him a couple of times about dosing him. Earlier on, he said he would want me to OD him with morphine, if I could. As he got worse, he started to change his view, even though he was in more pain. LUCKILY for me, I did not have to make that decision, nor did I participate. He died a " natural" death, complete with pain.
Even though he had asked me, and even though it was his wish, I don't think I would have been able to dose him...

I am still not at peace with not assisting my best friend in this manner when she begged and pleaded with me to help her die.

[Spidergawd]

Can we all at least agree that Spidergawd won't have any trouble finding some boardies to poke smot and choke him out?

Can we at least agree on that?

Shit, that could happen next week!

[Depends]

I am still not at peace with not assisting my best friend in this manner when she begged and pleaded with me to help her die.

I'm sure if it was me that waffled, I also would not be a peace with it... Like I said LUCKILY for me, I didn't have to decide.

[TEO]

I'm sure if it was me that waffled, I also would not be a peace with it... Like I said LUCKILY for me, I didn't have to decide.

[Java Time]

I don't see the issue in those terms. I think we're asserting that the individual
has the right to decide if quality supersedes sanctity for themselves rather than
the government deciding for them.





This law does not give the power to doctors. It gives it to the patient to decide
and adds safeguards (multiple requests separated in time, independent witness
that is not a relative or affiliated with the hospital, etc.) to insure that it is the
patient's decision.

i didn't say laws give doctors the power to do anything...you are pulling parts of sentences out of context

but I will try and respond anyway...

hmmmmm yes....but if a patient is not conscious and that patient, as well as their family members aren't doctors, who's to say the Doctor isn't chomping at the bit for that's patient's liver cuz he's got a black market organ donor gig...and feeds the family a cock n bull story on how the patient is a gonner.

[lilphlower]

if i see one more dem voting for brown on facebook im going to scream. we are sending this person to WASHINGTON. aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

/rant

[KrisNYG]

All I know is I really hope assisted suicide is legal should I ever need it. I can't imagine being forced into a painful, slow, awful decline with no way out.

Or worse, making family members witness it and have to potentially enforce a DNR. I guarantee my dad would have preferred this to knowing I would be the one to make the call when the time came, which I did with zero hesitation.

Even if it's not legal, I 'spect...ok don't 'spect...know...that you're loved enough that you'd find the help you needed.

I'm uncomfortable with institutionalizing the loss of life. Whether or not to continue should be a personal decision, and the more hands that are involved with personal decisions, the more they're open to abuse, coercion, etc. In my book. Yer book may read different.

Suicide = Kiss the life insurance for your family good bye, and add a potential murder charge. Yep, seems rational to me!

I agree with Melissa.

I assume that folks who vote no also are pro-life and not pro-choice when it comes to abortion, if not, isn't that flawed logic when it comes to sanctity of life thing. In my eyes, these two topics go hand in hand in the pro-choice vs pro-life arguments.

[Ginger Snap]

I don't see the issue in those terms. I think we're asserting that the individual
has the right to decide if quality supersedes sanctity for themselves rather than
the government deciding for them.





This law does not give the power to doctors. It gives it to the patient to decide
and adds safeguards (multiple requests separated in time, independent witness
that is not a relative or affiliated with the hospital, etc.) to insure that it is the
patient's decision.

It would be doctor prescribed suicide, so yes it may not be giving doctors "power" but it sure gives them responsibility. I've thought a lot about this question and I still haven't decided so i am abstaining.

[wonka]

i didn't say laws give doctors the power to do anything...you are pulling parts of sentences out of context

but I will try and respond anyway...

hmmmmm yes....but if a patient is not conscious and that patient, as well as their family members aren't doctors, who's to say the Doctor isn't chomping at the bit for that's patient's liver cuz he's got a black market organ donor gig...and feeds the family a cock n bull story on how the patient is a gonner.

Wouldn't the family of the recently lethally dosed patient question a rush to the OR?
And if the patient is an organ donor, I don't think organs are on a finders keepers method. I think that there is a donor/recipient registry with set processes and documentation etc... Plus, the type of doctor treating you for a coma/cancer/etc... isn't the same type of doctor who would be in the donor/transplant realm. Also, if you are going to take these steps for yourself or a loved one, wouldn't it be with a trusted family doctor who has been with you for the duration of the illness.

[KrisNYG]

It would be doctor prescribed suicide, so yes it may not be giving doctors "power" but it sure gives them responsibility. I've thought a lot about this question and I still haven't decided so i am abstaining.

Very true. However doctors will not be forced to participate (as I understand it) if they personally disagree or do not want the responsibility of carrying out such an action.

[Tim the Beek]

Suicide = Kiss the life insurance for your family good bye, and add a potential murder charge. Yep, seems rational to me!

I believe that it goes on much more often than we're aware, and that either of the risks you speak of are slim ones. JMO.

[Java Time]

IMO...if I am dying and in a lot pain and will be suffering for weeks, months, what-have-you...if it means that my loved ones can still visit me, talk to me...just be there, then I will be there for them and will go through whatever pain I must endure for them and for me!!!

I'm not having my life short changed for nothing....NOTHING!!!

[Java Time]

Wouldn't the family of the recently lethally dosed patient question a rush to the OR?
And if the patient is an organ donor, I don't think organs are on a finders keepers method. I think that there is a donor/recipient registry with set processes and documentation etc... Plus, the type of doctor treating you for a coma/cancer/etc... isn't the same type of doctor who would be in the donor/transplant realm. Also, if you are going to take these steps for yourself or a loved one, wouldn't it be with a trusted family doctor who has been with you for the duration of the illness.

to avoid anymore conflicts about what I'm saying I'll repeat my last post to answer regarding my stance on assisted suicide.

IMO...if I am dying and in a lot pain and will be suffering for weeks, months, what-have-you...if it means that my loved ones can still visit me, talk to me...just be there, then I will be there for them and will go through whatever pain I must endure for them and for me!!!

I'm not having my life short changed for nothing....NOTHING!!!

[Tim the Beek]

I'm not having my life short changed for nothing....NOTHING!!!

Not even if Ratdog is the Hospice house band?