Legalization.

[paulpablo]

Where you live right now is there anything which is illegal that you would like to be made legal or anything that is legal which you want to be made illegal?

I just want to say I'm not encouraging anyone to break the law in this thread.

Personally I would legalize prostitution and marijuana smoking.

I never saw the point to legalizing prostitution. Why spend your money for sex when so many are already giving it up for free?...and it's legal.

1 Why spend money on sex?

Some people have fetishes they don't want the wife or girlfriend to find out about, some people have been "blessed" with the ability to make money and not so "blessed" with good looks or personality and just want no strings attached sex by simply paying for it, some guys might want to do things that are just quite difficult to convince a girl to do, for example have sex with 5 girls at the same time while another 5 girls watch.

2 Not seeing the point in legalizing prostitution.

The point is that it has the possibility of being amazingly well regulated and decriminalized, at the moment street prostitution is highly associated with sexual violence, underage sex, drugs, robbery and sometimes even murder. I don't see any reason why prostitution can't be as well regulated as any other retail outlet offering services.
On top of all this take into consideration the amount of man hours spent on policing prostitution. I've seen "Cops" episodes were they would do a sting operation and get around 8 women police officers dressed as prostitutes, surrounded them with around 8 under cover officers then for a few hours they arrested men looking to pay for sex.
So that's 16 police officers being paid for around 4 or 5 hours work to catch some horny guys wanting to pay for sex.
I saw another episode were they did a sting against the prostitutes and set themselves up in a hotel, had around 7 police officers and an FBI agent there and that was all to arrest 1 prostitute and 1 guy who sent her there from an internet site.

Additionally I don't know all the statistics about women who are forced into porn or trafficked by criminal gangs, I do think legalizing prostitution will eliminate a lot of problems within that business though. The reasons why a lot of women can be taken advantage I'd guess is because if you're a prostitute you might not be taken seriously by the police, or you could be robbed and not tell the police because you can't complain if someone steals the money you obtained illegally anyway but both of these things would be dealt with if prostitution were legal and people bought the services like they would legally by any other service. I'm sure there would still be problems, but there's problems any type of system of retail, selling and buying and so on.

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Drugs, prostitution, marriage for competent consenting adults, driving without a seatbelt if you're over 18, all abortions...there's probably more haha

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Yup the right to die

I listened to an audiobook recently which had a portion which talked about how seat belts became standard things in cars and to me it does make sense to make it illegal to not wear one.

It talked about the irrationality of the human mind and how some people didn't like to wear a seat belt because it was like preempting something to happen, and also that at one point in time it was like an insult to someones driving to put a seat belt on when you were their passenger. And they do work quite well.


also someone asked me how and why I would limit people's drinking, I don't know how but the reason why would be in England an enormous amount of time and money is spent on policing drunk people and providing ambulances, hospital beds, nurses and doctors for them when they fall over, fight, choke on their own vomit and so on.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I would de-criminalize the following (partial list):

-Purchase, possession and use of ALL recreational drugs.

-Prostitution.

-Public nudity.

-Suicide, assisted suicide, attempted suicide.

-Riding without a helmet.

-Driving without a safety belt.

-Crossing against the signals.

Boru

[Dystopia]

I disagree. I don't think it should be illegal at all.

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I don't need the government to protect me from myself. I am perfectly capable of deciding whether or not I wish to risk my own life while putting no one else at risk.

Amen! In a country where we can drink ourselves to death and/or smoke ourselves to death we have to be sure to buckle up!

Thank you insurance company lobbyists!

Drinking or smoking will kill you with time, but having a car accident can kill you instantly. Just because we don't forbid A, it doesn't mean we can't forbid B.

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[quote='Blackout' pid='701294' dateline='1404503050']
I disagree because my ethics hierarchy (personally mine) is composed by 3 values 1 - Life 2 - Justice 3 - Freedom. Most times, I don't support anything that violates life, therefore I don't support the death penalty or euthanasia (this doesn't mean I want it illegal, I just don't approve it ethically, it is still an act for taking a life, even if done for compassion). The thing is we need to think if problems would arise, eg my professor told us euthanasia could give origin to organ trafficking and other problems like taking out the weakest members of society. Another problem, many people may want euthanasia and regret, I remember a guy in my country, he has no arms and legs, wanted to be euthanized, but after a few years he is now happy and says he regrets his former wishes.

If life is at the top of your heirarchy, you should also recognize that the quality of said life is an extremely important factor. It is a fact of life that existence can become so painful that non-existence is preferrable. If you truly value life, you should value that fact and recognize that people in certain situations will have so much pain that their want to die will rise to a need.

The quality of life will highly depend on the circumstances, even someone in pain can use medication to ease it and spend more time with his family. This is my position. I'm not saying sometimes a painful existence violates human dignity more than losing your life, but in generally I oppose everything or almost everything that violates the right to live. I too don't ethically support suicide. My hierarchy may be strict, but I stick truthful to my principles. I'm not saying people can't do it, but I won't. I don't need to support it ethically to support legalization. I may also think it is immoral to consume cocaine, it doesn't mean I support people going to jail for it.
Euthanasia is not taking a life. It is the willful relinquishing of one's own life with help.

Also no euthanasia if you are physically capable of doing it yourself, this is a logical necessity, if you are unhappy you kill yourself, don't ask for help

How about if I have been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, but can still physically move well enough to kill myself? Do you think the ethical thing would be to refuse me the assistance of a medical professional and force me to take a much less pleasant route, like throwing myself off a building?

If you don't have physical mobility that is a different issue, I'm talking about healthy people that don't have courage to commit suicide. There is no need for involving a third party if you have physical capacity to do so

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[quote='Blackout' pid='701279' dateline='1404501919']Well I'm assuming assisted suicide implies someone unplugging, therefore taking a life in a cause-effect relationship of another human being.

Assisted suicide is not just "unplugging" someone from life support. If it were then that would be illegal in 49 US states and it's not. Assisted suicide is actively assisting someone who wants to die. This should be made legal in all jurisdictions for all cases of "no-hope" terminal illness. The only objections that can be made are religious ones.

Not only religious but moral or ethical. I didn't know euthanasia and assisted suicide were different therefore my answer could be twisted. Can you explain me the difference?

I wouldn't be comfortable do it, specially if it was a relative of mine. But if some people are fine doing it, it's ok. We should always respect the person's opinion on the matter.

Have you ever watched a loved one die slowly, in excruciating agony from cancer? I watched my mom die that way. It was not fun. My brother even mentioned to me that he had considered overdosing her (mercy killing). The truly sad part is mom lived in the only state in this country that allows assisted suicide but her religiosity got in the way. She didn't have to suffer the way she did but for her delusions.

It depends on the situation. A friend of mine highly supported assisted suicide, but once her grandfather needed it to avoid suffering, she just couldn't do it, she said it paralyzed her, it's still a hard decision even if it's the right one. I'm not saying I would always be incapable, but I'm not imagining myself doing it.

From a legal perspective it matches the description of murder, even though it's not the same. Where I live it is still illegal.

Assisted suicide and murder are not the same, legally, morally or ethically. Helping someone who wants to die, because they are going to die, but don't want to die horribly is compassionate, not criminal. Ever had to put down a pet? The only difference (as far as assisted suicide is concerned) is consent. It's wrong to make an animal suffer when there is nothing that can be done about the suffering. It's wrong to make a human suffer when there is nothing that can be done about the suffering and they want the suffering to end!

Once again I don't know the difference between assisted suicide and euthanasia. Firstly comparing humans and animals arguments will make zero points. I didn't say it wasn't compassionate, but form a constitutional perspective it is not possible where I live

And I think euthanasia shouldn't depend only on the law, each case should go to court and the decision of the court would be yes or no. I say this because in some cases we don't know if the person would consent or not, if they are in a comma for instance.

Without consent, assisted suicide is off the table. Please stop equating euthanasia with assisted suicide. They are similar, but are not the same thing.

I agree

Court decisions on every case of assisted suicide? Please tell me you're kidding. Most people with terminal illnesses would die in agony waiting for their day in court. While I will probably live out my life in Colorado (a place I love), if I'm ever diagnosed with a "no-hope" terminal illness (unless this state wises up), I'll die in Oregon (a place I fucking hate). That way, I'll be able to end it myself, with my loved ones around me. That's the most pernicious part of assisted suicide being illegal. If you're even in attendance of the death, you'll be prosecuted. Imagine having to leave your loved one who has decided they have had enough of the agony to die alone while you have to go out and pretend you're not terribly bothered by something.

I agree court decisions shouldn't always be needed, specially if the person can consent specifically. But imagine the case when someone is in a comma and the wife argues the person is against assisted suicide and the parents argue the opposite. A court decision would solve this case and similar cases pretty well.
Just saw this:

Also no euthanasia if you are physically capable of doing it yourself, this is a logical necessity, if you are unhappy you kill yourself, don't ask for help

Do you really believe the only reason people ever want to die is because they're unhappy? Really?!? Do you think my loved ones would prefer to go away while I blow my brains out and them come back and have to clean up the mess? Or do you think, just maybe, they would prefer to be with me when I go, helping to make my passing better and more comfortable and being able to say goodbye for fucks sake!

I was just making my expression the simplest possible. You may want to die for all possible reasons. If you are capable of committing suicide, why ask for help? and what method would we use? Why call in a third party if you can do it yourself without involving others? If I was capable of killing myself I would never ask anyone to have the burden of doing it for me. Sounds selfish. But I may just think differently than you

If you're depressed and suicidal, seek help. It's there. If you're dying and wish to avoid the excruciating agony along the way. Tough shit, I guess (unless you can get yourself to Oregon).

Where I live it's illegal too. But pain can be controlled with medicine, the more scientists progress in terms of medications the less assisted suicide will be needed. If I had 3 months to live and could ease the pain almost to zero I wouldn't want to die but to enjoy my time.

[Minimalist]

If I had 3 months to live and could ease the pain almost to zero I wouldn't want to die but to enjoy my time.

My mother-in-law spent her last 3 months blind, bed-ridden and in pain from bed sores. She stopped taking any medication in the hope it would end things and perhaps eventually it did...but she hung on for two months after making that decision. I don't think she "enjoyed" her time.

[Dystopia]

If I had 3 months to live and could ease the pain almost to zero I wouldn't want to die but to enjoy my time.

My mother-in-law spent her last 3 months blind, bed-ridden and in pain from bed sores. She stopped taking any medication in the hope it would end things and perhaps eventually it did...but she hung on for two months after making that decision. I don't think she "enjoyed" her time.

Again, it depends on the pain and complications. I am talking about myself, I don't need anybody else to follow my choices, if I preferred being in pain while alive to be with my family that is my choice and mine only. Others can do what they want. But the more we help people dealing with complications, the more time they'll spend with loved ones and the less they'll need to commit suicide. It benefits all society.

[Losty]

If I had 3 months to live and could ease the pain almost to zero I wouldn't want to die but to enjoy my time.

My mother-in-law spent her last 3 months blind, bed-ridden and in pain from bed sores. She stopped taking any medication in the hope it would end things and perhaps eventually it did...but she hung on for two months after making that decision. I don't think she "enjoyed" her time.

I don't know who you're quoting...but who cares what they would do? Every single person deserves the dignity of being allowed to decide for themselves.

Mini awe I'm sorry :hugs:
I've heard too many stories of people who had to watch loved ones suffer slow painful deaths to ever be against the right to die.

[Minimalist]

Again, it depends on the pain and complications.

Precisely. It is an individual decision and should not be left to legislators...or even worse, clergymen.

[Losty]

My mother-in-law spent her last 3 months blind, bed-ridden and in pain from bed sores. She stopped taking any medication in the hope it would end things and perhaps eventually it did...but she hung on for two months after making that decision. I don't think she "enjoyed" her time.

Again, it depends on the pain and complications. I am talking about myself, I don't need anybody else to follow my choices, if I preferred being in pain while alive to be with my family that is my choice and mine only. Others can do what they want. But the more we help people dealing with complications, the more time they'll spend with loved ones and the less they'll need to commit suicide. It benefits all society.

Your choice is yours and everyone else's choice should be theirs alone as well. Some "complications" cannot be helped. Some people suffer immensely and there is no therapy or medicine that could alleviate their pain and humiliation. They deserve to be allowed a nice goodbye before things get too horrible and a peaceful death if that's what they choose.
Sadly most people in most places are not allowed that option.

[Dystopia]

Again, it depends on the pain and complications. I am talking about myself, I don't need anybody else to follow my choices, if I preferred being in pain while alive to be with my family that is my choice and mine only. Others can do what they want. But the more we help people dealing with complications, the more time they'll spend with loved ones and the less they'll need to commit suicide. It benefits all society.

Your choice is yours and everyone else's choice should be theirs alone as well. Some "complications" cannot be helped. Some people suffer immensely and there is no therapy or medicine that could alleviate their pain and humiliation. They deserve to be allowed a nice goodbye before things get too horrible and a peaceful death if that's what they choose.
Sadly most people in most places are not allowed that option.

I just think we should take things with prudence and not go to the extreme of allowing everyone to die without justification. Let's say this case - A woman wants to die but is a mother of two children, they need the mother or else they have no relatives, do we allow? What causes are legitimate do ask to die? For instance, is blindness or deafness legitimate? Anorexia? Obesity? I really don't know. Again, what causes can be considered legitimate? If I'm healthy and physically capable, can I go to a doctor and ask him to kill me?

I investigated our law and I discovered euthanasia is indirectly allowed but only in extreme situations, when the patient doesn't wish to continue treatment-

[Losty]

I go back to our differing opinions on seatbelts and freedom. Why is it your business why they want to die? Why should they have to ask permission to end their own lives. Do we need a serious improvement on mental health resources, absolutely. Do we need to change how most view mental health issues (there is a serious taboo in most places), absolutely. Do we as a society need to do everything in our power to help those who can be helped, absolutely.
Once a person has decided then they have a right to die. How should the laws be on it...I'm not sure.