Don't die painfully! We will gain access to safe & legal assisted dying SOON if we write to our elected representatives (politicians). LINKS PROVIDED!

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

A fellow forum member has brought to my attention the fact that while discussion and venting in this forum is excellent, an even better way to push positive change much faster, is for us to write to our elected representatives.

This is a very political issue, just like abortion and many others. If all we do is vent about it amongst ourselves, the effectiveness will be far less than if we reach out to politicians outside of this forum. To be safe, just make sure that the letter is about legal assisted dying programs, and not about wanting to CTB in any other form or fashion.

I do believe however, that discussing the issue in this forum IS as well an incredibly powerful and effective way for us to get organized and communicate, which also reaches many guests who are not members of this forum.

The fear and paranoia most people have about speaking up on this issue (out in the real world), is the main reason why the situation is so bad for those of us out there who are suffering chronically.

Advocating and pushing politicians to allow safe and legal medically assisted dying, along with expanding current programs to include all adults who are suffering intolerantly, is a completely safe and legal thing to do. The reality is that this is a political issue, just like all the others, except that it dramatically affects our lives and what happens to us.

If we choose to be completely complacent, then we are probably going to have to put up with the way things are for quite a bit longer. If we speak up, and stand up for ourselves, major positive changes will happen much quicker.

The world is definitely heading in this direction anyway, as the world is on the edge of a major turning point with this issue, but these changes will happen much, much faster if more people speak up and write to their elected officials.

It also wouldn't hurt if there were a few rallies as well. Basically anything that brings attention to the issue in a legal and civilized manner is a very good thing. It's not going to take long for a decent push to make a huge difference.

If all the politicians hear is crickets on this issue, then they will feel no pressure to make any changes very quickly.

To quickly contact and write to your elected representatives (in English-speaking countries), just click on the links below (provided by Unspoken7612):

 

[Unspoken7612]

Unfortunately I know my local MP personally because I helped him win his recent election. If I wrote to him saying I thought nembutal should be legalised then I know he'd be concerned for my safety.

If you live in the UK, here is how to contact your local MP:
https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/ - there is an upcoming debate on assisted suicide where your views could be very important. I would suggest this is especially important if you live in a seat represented by a Liberal Democrat or Green MP (who are more likely to be receptive), but does apply in every seat as it is a "free vote" where party discipline doesn't apply.

Here is an equivalent page for Canada:

Contact a Member of Parliament or contact us - House of Commons of Canada

Contact a Member of Parliament or contact us - House of Commons of Canada

www.ourcommons.ca

Australia:

Contacting Senators and Members

Contacting Senators and Members

www.aph.gov.au

Ireland:

Contact the Houses of the Oireachtas

Contact details for Houses of the Oireachtas Members and staff

www.oireachtas.ie

New Zealand:

Contact an MP - New Zealand Parliament

MPs are your representatives in Parliament. You can contact them at Parliament or at their electorate or community offices.

www.parliament.nz

and the US:

Find Your Representative | house.gov

www.house.gov

Note: in countries with a federal system, you might also have reason to contact state representatives. In fact this might be more productive - certainly is in the US.

I haven't included non-English sources, and of course this is only an option if you live in a democratic country.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

Why die painfully? We should be able to escape our suffering safely, peacefully, and with dignity.

 

[DeadManLiving]

The legal status of abortion confers the higher if not the highest equal privilege to the suicidal. It logically follows that if we permit the state being a gatekeeper of life for potential life in the womb which cannot give consent, then it is only confers the highest privilege to the living; to have the same prerogative of choice granted the living can give consent while the unborn cannot.

If suicide or assisted dying is not legal then that only makes abortion look like murder, because unborn babies cannot give consent but living adults can give consent and make rational choices in controlling their own fate.

If it is permissible to terminate life in the womb without the consent of the potential life, then it is more permissible to offer the same prerogative to adults who can rationally act and who can give consent.

If you're going to be pro-choice in the womb you've gotta be consistent and remain pro-choice outside of the womb. Can't cut it both ways.

So I don't understand why assisted death is not integrated into the social construct in the same manner as Planned Parenthood.

People really need to start standing up for their negative Liberty rights and becoming agents for change. Otherwise the status quo is going to entrap suicidals in this horrific reality.

I hope this political advocacy thread becomes a sticky because it's extremely important.

 

[Emeralds]

The problem is that not many politicians are going to push for universal euthanasia because they want to get re-elected. Some people do support euthanasia under certain circumstances, but the majority don't support universal euthanasia. They would vote the politicians out of office. Most people would have to support euthanasia before there would be a chance of this happening.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

The problem is that not many politicians are going to push for universal euthanasia because they want to get re-elected. Some people do support euthanasia under certain circumstances, but the majority don't support universal euthanasia. They would vote the politicians out of office. Most people would have to support euthanasia before there would be a chance of this happening.

Up until now & currently this definitely is the case, but this will change quickly once the general population realizes that 85 to 90% will experience long-term chronic suffering at some point in their life (usually toward the end). There is proof that only 10 to 15% of us will drop dead of natural causes. Ask anyone who works in a seniors home and they will confirm this.

Once the vast majority realize that chronic suffering will likely affect them, then universal euthanasia will be exactly what the public will want, and therefore what the politicians will want in order to be re-elected.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

The legal status of abortion confers the higher if not the highest equal privilege to the suicidal. It logically follows that if we permit the state being a gatekeeper of life for potential life in the womb which cannot give consent, then it is only confers the highest privilege to the living; to have the same prerogative of choice granted the living can give consent while the unborn cannot.

If suicide or assisted dying is not legal then that only makes abortion look like murder, because unborn babies cannot give consent but living adults can give consent and make rational choices in controlling their own fate.

If it is permissible to terminate life in the womb without the consent of the potential life, then it is more permissible to offer the same prerogative to adults who can rationally act and who can give consent.

If you're going to be pro-choice in the womb you've gotta be consistent and remain pro-choice outside of the womb. Can't cut it both ways.

So I don't understand why assisted death is not integrated into the social construct in the same manner as Planned Parenthood.

People really need to start standing up for their negative Liberty rights and becoming agents for change. Otherwise the status quo is going to entrap suicidals in this horrific reality.

I hope this political advocacy thread becomes a sticky because it's extremely important.

What an excellent point, I never looked at it that way before. Ending the life of an unborn child, who has absolutely no chance of giving or declining consent, versus an adult who is fully capable of thinking it through completely to make their decision, I mean there's just no comparison.

 

[MrHastatti]

In the form they ask me to put down my name and address. Would putting down my real information risk a welfare check?

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

In the form they ask me to put down my name and address. Would putting down my real information risk a welfare check?

It should NOT, because you are simply stating your support or lack of support for a major political issue. If discussing legal assisted dying programs with our elected representatives creates welfare checks, then we are no longer living in democratic countries.

To be safe, be sure not to discuss wanting to commit illegal suicide in any way. Show your support for medically assisted dying only. If they do not get the impression that you're suicidal, then they will have no reason to give you a welfare check. If you want to be 100% safe, then just pretend that you yourself are not suicidal at all. You could just show your support for others who are suffering. It's going to have the exact same political effect either way, so my advice is to be completely safe. In fact, I think your message would be even stronger this way.

 

[UnluckyBastard]

We're doomed to be tax cattle, aren't we? Shit.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

We're doomed to be tax cattle, aren't we?

Not if we stand up for ourselves. We just need to speak up.
We're just as important as everyone else in the world, which means that our rights are just as important as well.

 

[permanently tired]

Up until now & currently this definitely is the case, but this will change quickly once the general population realizes that 85 to 90% will experience long-term chronic suffering at some point in their life (usually toward the end). There is proof that only 10 to 15% of us will drop dead of natural causes. Ask anyone who works in a seniors home and they will confirm this.

Once the vast majority realize that chronic suffering will likely affect them, then universal euthanasia will be exactly what the public will want, and therefore what the politicians will want in order to be re-elected.

What would happen for them to realize? Aging? There are old ppl now in chronic pain from aging related conditions. Why haven't they demanded change? I doubt the general population's views will change, at least not within the next several decades. The sanctity of life bs is too ingrained in society and continues to be passed on.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

What would happen for them to realize? Aging? There are old ppl now in chronic pain from aging related conditions. Why haven't they demanded change? I doubt the general population's views will change, at least not within the next several decades. The sanctity of life bs is too ingrained in society and continues to be passed on.

In my country Canada, for example, public support for our MAID program is currently at 80% and rising, with only 20% opposed. Public opinion on this issue is changing quickly, and the general population is no longer interested in forcing people to suffer, especially now that they're starting to realize that they will likely be the ones who will be suffering at some point in their life.

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

There is absolutely no political incentive for any democracy or other voting-based system to ever indulge a lobby that runs on the platform of assisted dying. Think about it. Why on earth would anyone want to appeal to voters who are just going to remove themselves from your pool of supporters anyway?

The only way I could see this happening is if over time, conditions become even worse to the point where even the most optimistic of delusional prolifers is feeling utterly suicidally miserable on a daily basis. This reality may never come to pass unfortunately.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

There is absolutely no political incentive for any democracy or other voting-based system to ever indulge a lobby that runs on the platform of assisted dying. Think about it. Why on earth would anyone want to appeal to voters who are just going to remove themselves from your pool of supporters anyway?

The only way I could see this happening is if over time, conditions become even worse to the point where even the most optimistic of delusional prolifers is feeling utterly suicidally miserable on a daily basis. This reality may never come to pass unfortunately.

The proof is in the pudding, the vast majority ARE supporting assisted dying. This doesn't mean that everyone is going to choose to die, but people don't want to ever become trapped in case they do end up in a state of chronic suffering. Also they are feeling compassionate toward others.

 

[Loaf of bread]

A fellow forum member has brought to my attention the fact that while discussion and venting in this forum is excellent, an even better way to push positive change much faster, is for us to write to our elected representatives.

This is a good thread!

I agree that activism is lacking in SS, those assisted dying laws aren't going to change by themselves!

Perhaps a dedicated megathread or subforum for activism could be useful?

 

[alltoomuch2]

A fellow forum member has brought to my attention the fact that while discussion and venting in this forum is excellent, an even better way to push positive change much faster, is for us to write to our elected representatives.

This is a very political issue, just like abortion and many others. If all we do is vent about it amongst ourselves, the effectiveness will be far less than if we reach out to politicians outside of this forum. To be safe, just make sure that the letter is about legal assisted dying programs, and not about wanting to CTB in any other form or fashion.

I do believe however, that discussing the issue in this forum IS as well an incredibly powerful and effective way for us to get organized and communicate, which also reaches many guests who are not members of this forum.

The fear and paranoia most people have about speaking up on this issue (out in the real world), is the main reason why the situation is so bad for those of us out there who are suffering chronically.

Advocating and pushing politicians to allow safe and legal medically assisted dying, along with expanding current programs to include all adults who are suffering intolerantly, is a completely safe and legal thing to do. The reality is that this is a political issue, just like all the others, except that it dramatically affects our lives and what happens to us.

If we choose to be completely complacent, then we are probably going to have to put up with the way things are for quite a bit longer. If we speak up, and stand up for ourselves, major positive changes will happen much quicker.

The world is definitely heading in this direction anyway, as the world is on the edge of a major turning point with this issue, but these changes will happen much, much faster if more people speak up and write to their elected officials.

It also wouldn't hurt if there were a few rallies as well. Basically anything that brings attention to the issue in a legal and civilized manner is a very good thing. It's not going to take long for a decent push to make a huge difference.

If all the politicians hear is crickets on this issue, then they will feel no pressure to make any changes very quickly.

To quickly contact and write to your elected representatives (in English-speaking countries), just click on the links below (provided by Unspoken7612):

I've emailed my elected representative yesterday asking to vote for the assisted dying bill in parliament right now (UK). I'm hoping it will influence her but it's a free vote so who knows. My points were 1. People already ctb but right now have to do it alone using unreliable and painful methods. This bill would allow them to choose a peaceful non-painful death with their family and friends with them. I've also reminded them that we do this for animals on welfare grounds. And that Dignitas have few if any problems of safeguarding

 

[Lost Magic]

I agree. If you are in the UK, there is a historic dying bill in November for people with terminal illnesses. If you could send a quick message to your MP, this would be a big help

URGENT: Ask Your MP To Back Assisted Dying Bill And Give Dying People Choice >>

action.dignityindying.org.uk

 

[divinemistress36]

In my country Canada, for example, public support for our MAID program is currently at 80% and rising, with only 20% opposed. Public opinion on this issue is changing quickly, and the general population is no longer interested in forcing people to suffer, especially now that they're starting to realize that they will likely be the ones who will be suffering at some point in their life.

Isnt that only for terminally ill though?

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

The proof is in the pudding, the vast majority ARE supporting assisted dying. This doesn't mean that everyone is going to choose to die, but people don't want to ever become trapped in case they do end up in a state of chronic suffering. Also they are feeling compassionate toward others.

Not really from what I've seen. It feels like whenever anyone outside of the terminally ill uses it, people on both sides tend to be quick to demonize it since neither wants to be seen as advocating for suicide.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

Isnt that only for terminally ill though?

No, there are also people who qualify who are not terminally ill. It just has to be a qualifying medical condition. There's also a bill that has been delayed, that would allow mental illness to be the sole qualifying cause of suffering. Since this would include depression, that would make our MAID program virtually universal euthanasia.

The delay is to allow the healthcare system time to get ready for the expansion. Major progress is being made, but we should not be complacent on this issue. Other countries are watching what is happening in Canada and Switzerland, and will follow suit quickly once there is enough political pressure.

 

[alltoomuch2]

Unfortunately I know my local MP personally because I helped him win his recent election. If I wrote to him saying I thought nembutal should be legalised then I know he'd be concerned for my safety.

If you live in the UK, here is how to contact your local MP:
https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/ - there is an upcoming debate on assisted suicide where your views could be very important. I would suggest this is especially important if you live in a seat represented by a Liberal Democrat or Green MP (who are more likely to be receptive), but does apply in every seat as it is a "free vote" where party discipline doesn't apply.

Here is an equivalent page for Canada:

Contact a Member of Parliament or contact us - House of Commons of Canada

Contact a Member of Parliament or contact us - House of Commons of Canada

www.ourcommons.ca

Australia:

Contacting Senators and Members

Contacting Senators and Members

www.aph.gov.au

Ireland:

Contact the Houses of the Oireachtas

Contact details for Houses of the Oireachtas Members and staff

www.oireachtas.ie

New Zealand:

Contact an MP - New Zealand Parliament

MPs are your representatives in Parliament. You can contact them at Parliament or at their electorate or community offices.

www.parliament.nz

and the US:

Find Your Representative | house.gov

www.house.gov

Note: in countries with a federal system, you might also have reason to contact state representatives. In fact this might be more productive - certainly is in the US.

I haven't included non-English sources, and of course this is only an option if you live in a democratic country.

For people in the UK, here is a a template for an email but you can add to it or change it as you want https://action.dignityindying.org.u...king.id=home&ea.url.id=7529955&forwarded=true

 

[Unspoken7612]

There is absolutely no political incentive for any democracy or other voting-based system to ever indulge a lobby that runs on the platform of assisted dying. Think about it. Why on earth would anyone want to appeal to voters who are just going to remove themselves from your pool of supporters anyway?

The obvious rebuttal is that several countries have assisted dying, so obviously you are wrong.

I think the political incentive is that a lot of people support assisted dying but don't plan on killing themselves in the short term. They either want the option, or think others should have the option.

If our political parties can keep pandering to pensioners who are going to die soon, they can pander to anyone.

 

[TransfemCutter]

Watching actual action be taken by this community really makes me happy. SaSu going from a safe place for people like us, to a place where we can actually organize and fight for a common goal is truly inspiring. I love you all. Thank you for what you're doing. ♥

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

Watching actual action be taken by this community really makes me happy. SaSu going from a safe place for people like us, to a place where we can actually organize and fight for a common goal is truly inspiring. I love you all. Thank you for what you're doing. ♥

There's such an incredible opportunity here, for us to make the world a much better place. We all may be suffering, but we all have one thing going for us here on the SaSu forum. There are a lot of us, and we're all communicating, and trying to help each other out. I see this as one of the best ways to not just help each other, but all of humanity at the same time. There are literally hundreds of millions of people who are going to be experiencing serious chronic health conditions in the years to come. Our efforts now can help so many people moving forward indefinitely.

 

[bleeding_heart_show]

I find the idea of the government having a say in who is "worthy" of suicide ridiculous if I am being honest. I suppose it makes sense for those that cannot accomplish it on their own due to disability.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

The proof is in the pudding, the vast majority ARE supporting assisted dying. This doesn't mean that everyone is going to choose to die, but people don't want to ever become trapped in case they do end up in a state of chronic suffering. Also they are feeling compassionate toward others.

Most support for MAID is mainly for those who suffer from certain medical conditions, such as terminal illnesses. Most people are against MAID for those who suffer from just mental illnesses or for those who happen to just want to die (no medical or mental health issues).

For example, only 28% of Canadians are support of MAID for those whose sole condition is mental illness, as opposed to 50% who are opposed to it. While 41% of those who difficulty accessing mental healthcare are in support of it (n=151), only 34% of those with easy access to mental healthcare (n=214) and 26% of those of those don't need mental healthcare (n=1,507) support it.


You can read this if you want a more depth look on the general opinions regarding MAID.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I think the terminally and chronically ill likely will receive it fairly soon. The world is more secular now. We're all living to be older so- they'll end up being more money being taken out than is going in. I think there is more general public support for assisted suicide under those circumstances too.

The greater 'we' though? People with less serious illness. People with mental illness- even severe mental illness and definitely people with no illness- I reckon we're just hostages for now, until we find ourselves in the chronically/ terminally ill bracket.

Personally, I will absolutely support the right to die movement but, I can't see it helping me. I doubt I'll want to wait that long! Why should I wait decades for my life to get to a point where it is so intolerable, even doctors agree it's kinder to put me down? Sorry- no! My life belongs to me. I may just have to risk a painful, less reliable method to spare myself decades of struggle and pain to meet their requirements.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

Up until now & currently this definitely is the case, but this will change quickly once the general population realizes that 85 to 90% will experience long-term chronic suffering at some point in their life (usually toward the end). There is proof that only 10 to 15% of us will drop dead of natural causes. Ask anyone who works in a seniors home and they will confirm this.

Once the vast majority realize that chronic suffering will likely affect them, then universal euthanasia will be exactly what the public will want, and therefore what the politicians will want in order to be re-elected.

I think that a lot of people know that life isn't pleasant at the end. The issue though is that they still have their toxic positive view on life regardless of that. They still think that life is worth it no matter what and also that the suffering that they go through is worth it. All of this has been instilled in us via pro life indoctrination. There's lots of indoctrination in schools and movies and cartoons and so on about pushing through the suffering, pushing through the hardship and fighting through life no matter what. As long as these forms of indoctrination exists and people keep on being indoctrinated into believing the sanctity of life, universal euthanasia won't exist

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

I think what we need to do is look at the bigger picture here. In my country of Canada, our MAID program didn't exist at all until June 2016. When you look at how far we've come in that short amount of time, it does seem to me that the general public is quickly warming up to the idea of medically assisted dying for those who are suffering intolerably.

Are we all the way to where we need to be? Absolutely not, not even close, but there is a ferocious battle going on right now, between those who truly understand what it's like to suffer, and those who don't. This battle is really just getting started, and we ARE on the edge of a tipping point with this issue. Once we get to the other side of this point, things will start to progress much quicker.

We're now living in the information age, and there are a lot of people who are like us and suffering chronically. People in our shoes are just starting to muster the courage to speak up and stand up for ourselves and our rights.

There are so many people in the world who know exactly what it's like to suffer intolerably, and if even a small percentage of these people continue to stand up for their (our) rights, it will not take long for us to get to where we need to be on assisted dying.

There are people who feel that the battle is over, and that things are going to just stay the way they are now indefinitely, but this is not the case. This political battle is just getting started.

We all know that the way things are right now is just wrong. What we need to do is communicate this to people who have some political power. If we can just push past this tipping point of public awareness (or more accurately lack of awareness), then things are going to progress much, much faster.

If we choose to just lay down and do nothing, then we will remain hostages of our suffering, or be forced into the very risky alternative(s).