My Views on Euthanasia

Some people think that euthanasia should be abolished because to them it's just another way to murder a helpless person but I think that euthanasia is a practical way to end someone's life if ever put into that situation. I don't agree with all the possible ways euthanasia can be done. The article I read about the family in Italy is acceptable to me because she's been in a state where the chances of her fully recovering and getting back to life are slim to none. Plus, she had already discussed with her family that if something were to happen, she would appreciate it if they would let her die peacefully. The father of the woman technically killed her by euthanasia but to me it's acceptable because it was inevitable that she was going to pass away because there was nothing else they could've done to help her get healthy and back to normal. However, I don't agree with the murder suicide the man in California did and calling it euthanasia. His reasons were valid reasons but not so much that it should lead to death. There are many other ways that man could've dealt with the loss of both him and his wife's jobs and the financial strain. Sure, it's overwhelming but killing your family and yourself to escape from those problems is a bit much. To me, there are many other ways he could've implemented his financial strain. Murdering other people especially children who could've had a bright and successful future shouldn't be put under the same category as a bed-ridden hospital patient who's been in a coma for 10 years and dying after the family decided to cut off his life support. It's simply not right. I also consider the situation with Lennie and George euthanasia because there really no way out for Lennie. If George could escape with Lennie, it would just be more stress and trouble for both of them. Curley and the rest of the gang would've tortured Lennie and then kill him. If they managed hold back Curley and his anger, then Lennie would've been thrown in jail. Conditions in jail are terrible, as Slim explained to George so it was out of the question. Lennie died a happy and peaceful death, because he died thinking about his lifelong dream and what he considered as "paradise". I wouldn't agree with the concept of euthanasia if it was a murder suicide and saying that there was no other option making it euthanasia. Another exception would be a mass murder spree where tons of people are killed and then killing yourself (Virginia Tech). To me those situations are just obscene and just plain, cold-hearted murder.

"Mercy" Killing

1a. I think George thought that what he did to Lennie was what was best for him. He didn't want Lennie to suffer in the conditions of jail and he didn't want to get tortured and beat up by Curley or any of them before he was killed. I think he wanted Lennie to die without suffering, so that's why he reminded Lennie of the house and the rabbits, so he can die peacefully and have his last thoughts of his dream and not the nightmare he caused.

1b. Yes I think that George's decision was the best thing for Lennie because if Curley or Slim or any of the men on the ranch killed him, he would've been beaten and tortured before killed. Lennie's last thoughts would've been, "Why are they doing this to me?, What did I do to deserve this?, This is terrible!". George made sure that Lennie died with a happy moment in his head. Killing him was best for Lennie because as Slim explained to George, Lennie would be strapped down and have horrible conditions if he was locked up and it wasn't even sure that he could get locked up because first they would have to restrain Curley and prevent him from hurting Lennie.

2a. "Late last year, 67-year-old Beppino Englaro, won an intense 10-year legal battle to allow his daughter's feeding tubes to be removed, saying that was her wish." This quote explains why the father removed her tubes and eventually letting her die. She had already told her before-hand that if something happened to her, she would like for her family to let her die naturally rather than to keep her alive with all the machines helping her live. It's not murder in the Englaro family's eyes because that was her wish. She wanted to die on her own because if she can't truly "live" then what's the point on spending time, money, and effort on someone who's chances on waking up and recovering is slim to none. The family just wants her to finally rest in peace.

b. The court accepted that before the accident, his daughter had expressed a preference for dying over being kept alive artificially." I think that it their decision was the best thing they could do for their daughter because it was her wish. She had already talked this over with her family before, basically saying that if something ever happens and I'm in a situation where there's nothing else they can do to save me except for life support, then I would like to be left alone and just die. They were just fulfilling and respecting their daughter's decisions before all this happened. They're just blaming the family for her decision because she can't make that critical decision herself.

c. I agree with what the father did because he was just listening to what his daughter told him to do a long time ago. I know that if my mom or other close family member were in the same situation as the daughter, I would respect every wish and decision they would like for themselves. They're already in a bad situation, why would I make it worse for them by ignoring their opinion. Who am I to take that away from them regardless of their physical and/or mental state or situation.

3a.

1. "How am I suppose to support my family now?"
2. " I'm a disappointment to my family for not stepping up and doing my role in the family which is to support them."
3. "My wife is telling me that death is our best and only option to be happy again."
4. "How am I going to pay all the bills and the children's expenses"
5. "Killing ourselves is the only way we can be happy in life with no worries,"
   

3b. Money isn't the only thing children need to succeed in life. I think that if you're living in financial problems, there are many other things that you can give your kids. Most important, give them love. Make them feel that they're loved. Spending time with them and giving him/her attention. Listening to them and knowing that you care. To me people who are successful in every aspect of their life, had a good childhood. They felt that their parents did everything they could to give them a good life. They learned the lessons of hard work and patience and determination. If your kids learn the key points in becoming successful, they will be successful. The best thing is, all these things are free. All you have to give is your time and your knowledge of the world. In the end, all kids really want from their parents is knowing that they care.