August 3, 2009

While the Congress and president battle over transforming health insurance in America, here in the U.K., an important threshold has been crossed in the destruction of human life.

Debbie Purdy, who has early stage multiple sclerosis, has won a ruling in the House of Lords that would allow her husband to help her commit suicide should she wish to do so.  The lords will now clarify the assisted suicide law.

It’s being called “compassionate assisted suicide” in order to shift the moral ground. One doesn’t have to be a prophet to see where this is headed. Rich grandmothers will be assisted in their suicides so the heirs can get more money instead of “wasting” it on caring for granny. People will be pressured into taking their own lives by relatives because they don’t want to be a burden to their children.

And then, slowly at first, but inevitably, the suicides won’t be assisted by relatives, but mandated by the state and carried out by executioners in white coats. With the sacredness of human life becoming a fleeting memory, things can only get worse… here and in America.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.