The great pro-life/pro-choice poll

[BipolarGuy]

Two questions in the poll above, both of which represent opposing ideals.
It is somewhat hypothetical, but I would be interested to see your choice.

Would you rather:

1. No barrier access to physician assisted suicide.
Physician assisted suicide would be legal, free, with no intervention from other doctors or psychiatrists. It's YOUR uninhibited choice.

2. Dramatically improved social services for dealing with mental health issues and personal life problems.
If you had an issue, you could access a service that would take a holistic look at your life and would thoroughly go through things with you to quickly and effectively deal with issues; mental health issues, financial problems, housing issues, family problems, etc.

 

[Futile]

Not everything can be fixed, first choice is the best one

 

[TheQ22]

It's a difficult question to answer, there should perhaps be a 3rd option of both of the above.

That is to say, dramatically improved services to people who need it (and in a utopian world the solving of housing, financial, etc problems that lead people to suicide - which is probably impossible, particularly housing and finances), or if these can't be solved then no barrier to deciding you don't want to be here.

Rather than the current system - crap MH service, no help with housing or finance, and illegal to end it all.

Win-Win rather than Lose-Lose.

 

[not4us]

I'd go for "2"
@BipolarGuy What would you choose?

 

[Sinkinshyp]

a mix of both somehow. If assisted suicide is made so anyone can walk in and get it done- it has to much potential to be abused. Organ harvesting, people living below poverty being euthanized for being looked at as a burden, assisted doc A believes in flying footballs in outer space and anyone who doesn't agree should be euthanized, granny is old and family wants her money and it goes on and on how it can be abused. It should be legal and available to ANYONE who wants it but it should be a process. I say a 3 doctor process to keep people safe from the abuses it can cause. Lets face it mental health profession has failed beyond a shadow of a doubt and improvements are much needed in many areas. So I agree with both to an extent and some changes to both as well

 

[BipolarGuy]

It's a difficult question to answer, there should perhaps be a 3rd option of both of the above.

That is to say, dramatically improved services to people who need it (and in a utopian world the solving of housing, financial, etc problems that lead people to suicide - which is probably impossible, particularly housing and finances), or if these can't be solved then no barrier to deciding you don't want to be here.

Rather than the current system - crap MH service, no help with housing or finance, and illegal to end it all.

Win-Win rather than Lose-Lose.

Yes I agree, but I've purposely set up opposite utopias to see what people choose :)

 

[whitefeather]

If #1 is the law, Humans will instantly improve # 2 ! This is "Human Nature" .

 

[Nymph]

This is hard, I'd want to do the second one so I can limit the amount of people that choose option 1. Cause objectively death is sad I guess and it would be cool if people continued and try to enjoy life but then again I want to be able to end my life if I want to so... I would want something in between, this is too polarizing. That's something I don't like about the us "democratic" system. There's only 2 options, which are total opposites. It doesn't seem very democratic to me. Why did I start talking about politics? I don't know, don't ask me if I really had to choose I'd pick #1 because I don't think #2 could be good enough and wide spread to actually help everyone in need. That's just not possible, so #1 would be better

 

[asdasan]

#1

 

[BipolarGuy]

This is hard, I'd want to do the second one so I can limit the amount of people that choose option 1. Cause objectively death is sad I guess and it would be cool if people continued and try to enjoy life but then again I want to be able to end my life if I want to so... I would want something in between, this is too polarizing. That's something I don't like about the us "democratic" system. There's only 2 options, which are total opposites. It doesn't seem very democratic to me. Why did I start talking about politics? I don't know, don't ask me if I really had to choose I'd pick #1 because I don't think #2 could be good enough and wide spread to actually help everyone in need. That's just not possible, so #1 would be better

Remember this is a hypothetical choice:

1. Physician assisted suicide with no checks and no inhibition, or
2. A system where if you have issues like mental health, finances, housing, etc etc, you WILL be helped.

 

[almost_dead]

wooohooo #1 choice baby

 

[TheQ22]

Yes I agree, but I've purposely set up opposite utopias to see what people choose :)

Ah so you're a dystopian then.

Imagine a boot stamping on a human... oh no hang on - you're a realist.

 

[BipolarGuy]

Ah so you're a dystopian then.

Imagine a boot stamping on a human... oh no hang on - you're a realist.

Oh no, not dystopian.

Hopefully a realist :)

 

[TheQ22]

a mix of both somehow. If assisted suicide is made so anyone can walk in and get it done- it has to much potential to be abused. Organ harvesting, people living below poverty being euthanized for being looked at as a burden, assisted doc A believes in flying footballs in outer space and anyone who doesn't agree should be euthanized, granny is old and family wants her money and it goes on and on how it can be abused. It should be legal and available to ANYONE who wants it but it should be a process. I say a 3 doctor process to keep people safe from the abuses it can cause. Lets face it mental health profession has failed beyond a shadow of a doubt and improvements are much needed in many areas. So I agree with both to an extent and some changes to both as well

Yeah imagine it - legalised euthanasia with no checks - all the undesirables marched into the office and processed instantly.

This guy was doing 32 in a 30 zone, he says he wants to die - okay. Done.

 

[Eren]

Assisted suicide would not be necessary if N and/or other substances were legal, you would simply go to a pharmacy and buy it.

 

[Chupacabra 44]

Awesome question! I need to think.


In a perfect world, I'd say choice A for everyone over age 35 (random age based on my own experiences).
And choice B for everyone under age 35.
Since this isn't an option from OP. Final answer is choice B. I prefer to do what I perceive is best for the next, future generation.

 

[schopenh]

It's certainly not a trivial question. Of the people who are actively planning their CTB, I'm not sure how many would be truly helped by dramatically improved social services - and I know many who already have incredible social circumstances and are still miserable. Whereas we at least know that access to physician assisted suicide is something that people need and that it definitely would end their suffering. On top of that, society takes a step forward in social progression by allowing physician assisted suicide.
Still it's a tough question and I'm coming at it from the perspective of someone in chronic physical pain who couldn't really care less if I had more social support but I am trying to imagine it's effect on others.

 

[Lmd]

The second one. I'm totally against the first one unless it's something reeeally extreme and objective and the second one feels... vague and boring? The problem usually are the issues itself so if the second one implies a way to prevent some things instead of just fix that then great(ain't gonna happen anyway)

I'm ok with the idea of assisted suicide but if someday they allow it without any restriction there will be people doing it without thinking and they are gonna make a hasty decision. Is not that easy when you are gonna do it

 

[BipolarGuy]

It's certainly not a trivial question. Of the people who are actively planning their CTB, I'm not sure how many would be truly helped by dramatically improved social services - and I know many who already have incredible social circumstances and are still miserable. Whereas we at least know that access to physician assisted suicide is something that people need and that it definitely would end their suffering. On top of that, society takes a step forward in social progression by allowing physician assisted suicide.
Still it's a tough question and I'm coming at it from the perspective of someone in chronic physical pain who couldn't really care less if I had more social support but I am trying to imagine it's effect on others.

Which one would you like to see happen, if you could choose only one?

I'd go for "2"
@BipolarGuy What would you choose?

I'm not sure!

 

[schopenh]

Which one would you like to see happen, if you could choose only one?

I'm not sure!

I'd probably choose option 2 then, for everyone else's sake welp

 

[Caspers]

If the mental health system was better, I believe there would be a significant reduction in suicide and it would help people before they consider this last resort. I prefer 1 for myself and 2 for the world. And if 2 happened, I'd still be able to CTB, I just wouldn't be able to donate my organs

 

[BipolarGuy]

If the mental health system was better, I believe there would be a significant reduction in suicide and it would help people before they consider this last resort. I prefer 1 for myself and 2 for the world. And if 2 happened, I'd still be able to CTB, I just wouldn't be able to donate my organs

It's sad really. I always wished that I would get into a long term relationship. You know, marriage, kids, the lot.
I just always wanted to share my heart with someone....




...so I've put my name on the organ donation list....

 

[HappyMstake]

Option 1. I feel like even if things were to get better, life will always find a way to screw me over.

 

[Caspers]

It's sad really. I always wished that I would get into a long term relationship. You know, marriage, kids, the lot.
I just always wanted to share my heart with someone....




...so I've put my name on the organ donation list....

Me too, I'm on the organ donation list, but I remember a poster saying they don't accept organs from suicide, although that will depend on the country and state of the body. I'd love to give another human the second chance I don't want

 

[darkghost]

The first option is the best. There are things that can't be fixed.

 

[BipolarGuy]

The first option is the best. There are things that can't be fixed.

The hypothetical situation that has been set up here is that option 2 represents working with organisations that WILL help you fix financial, mental health, housing, family problems etc. They won't be able to cure all disease or anything, but the hypothetical situation is that the services that are supposed to be out there to help people going through a hard time actually do what they are supposed to do, and are exceptionally good at it.....in this hypothetical scenario.

 

[Soul]

But we're all going to die anyway. In your second scenario, what happens to people who have painful terminal illnesses? Do we get the mercy people show dogs that are too sick to live well? Or will we be offered thoughts and prayers as we suffer agony?

 

[BipolarGuy]

But we're all going to die anyway. In your second scenario, what happens to people who have painful terminal illnesses? Do we get the mercy people show dogs that are too sick to live well? Or will we be offered thoughts and prayers as we suffer agony?

In the second scenario, there is no magic cure for terminal illnesses I'm afraid, and assisted suicide is only granted through choosing option 1.
But, effective mental health care, and exceptional support with dealing with practical life problems is granted through choosing option 2.

 

[Soul]

In the second scenario, there is no magic cure for terminal illnesses I'm afraid, and assisted suicide is only granted through choosing option 1.
But, effective mental health care, and exceptional support with dealing with practical life problems is granted through choosing option 2.

I don't need support dealing with the problem of dying painfully, unless by "support" you mean morphine. Since we all die someday I can't fathom not wanting to be allowed to exit with dignity.

 

[LivingDeadGirl]

Option 1
For me Money and a good home wouldnt keep me from wanting to ctb. The pain I feel on a daily basis, a past filled w torturous memories, a numbing echo of the person I could've been, a world that would prove over and over again that I'm not wanted or needed here, the constant fear I feel all the time. These things and so many more have gotten me to the point I'm at. Yes, a better mental health care system might have helped me some, but I don't think it would've been enough.