Who knows best? We do
Who knows best? We do
A recent letter to the Ed- itor commenting upon Thomas Sowell’s recent op-ed piece poses the question: Are there actually American “elites who favor and promote“ a duty to die? An elitist is one who perceives that he is a member of a class that deserves favored treatment by virtue of perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
This meaning encompasses many contemporary political leaders who believe, espouse and legislate with a goal toward ever expanding erosion of individual freedom and initiative. Although not specifically requiring “death panels” or a “duty to die” it appears the Health Care Act of 2010 recently enacted by Congress through almost certain future rationing of medical care will likely lessen the availability of meaningful health care to certain population age groups: older Americans
The Declaration of Independence, one of our two founding documents, in the second paragraph states in part: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty and Pursuant of Happiness.”
To this writer, life being stated first is most important. Any impediment to continuing life is not only wrong but immoral.
Ohio permits individually optional end of life authorizations such as living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care. These are tools that an individual patient, the attending health-care professional, and designated family members (or friends) assist in deciding both critical and non-critical issues for that individual patient. Neither the government nor anyone else decides these issues.
All Dr. Sowell (Ph.D.) ever suggests is that we Americans are individually best suited to make our own health-care decisions free from governmental restraints, to exercise our God-given rights, including the right to life.
Atty. Carl D. Rafoth, Boardman