Lazy and Cowardly Compassion

The Proposition
Many of the arguments for euthanasia or assisted suicide are posed something like this:

An elderly parent becomes ill and cannot take care of him or herself. This puts an unbearable burden on the children. Expenses are incurred, careers are ruined and the children's lives are damaged beyond repair because of the parent. The argument continues that the parent hates being such a burden and the compassionate thing is to either assist the parent in suicide or even murder the parent. The result, career saved, money saved, and children no longer burdened.

The Truth Behind the Curtain
There is a small element of truth in this argument. Taking care of an ill loved one is a burden. Doing so may require putting your career on hold. Ending the parent's life would help with these burdens. Yet, the argument goes wrong by positing the idea that children and loved ones should never be inconvenienced. Yes, I said inconvenienced. Taking care of someone very ill is a huge inconvenience. So, why do so many buy into the idea that none of us should ever be inconvenienced! Why do people believe that they some how are entitled to a career? To the point that they would end a life to pursue it?? People's priorities clearly are all wrong. I am grateful to the Fire Fighters who are inconvenience by smoke and heat and yet pull people from a burning building. I am grateful to police who are inconvenienced by bullets and violence, yet still are actively fighting crime.

The Role Reversal
Most of our parents worked very hard to supply our needs when we were helpless and could not tend for ourselves. This is called being an infant. Many parents put their careers on hold to care for their children and provide food, clothing and shelter. When parents or loved ones age and become ill, the role is reversed. We who at one time depended on our loved ones for our very existence are being rightly asked to return the favor. Parents who woefully neglect children to pursue careers or get rich are sometimes charged with child abuse. Is it really any different when this is done to elderly parents?

The Spoiled Society
Our society has gotten so comfortable with all the modern conveniences that, as a result, we some how feel entitled to not be called upon to give up anything for anyone else. This has reached the point where people are writing and advocating the death of a fellow human so as not to be burdened in any way. Folks, I call that lazy. It takes courage to tough it out with the care of a severely ill loved one. Some pain might be felt and here is a new concept, a sacrifice might have to be made. I make this bold statement as one who is now a permanent caregiver, who lost considerable money and a career to take care of someone I love dearly.

Taking care of loved ones is a responsibility. Who really wants to be responsible these days? That is my whole point. Workmanship on products produced today is shoddy because no one feels responsible for it. Banks have collapsed because someone wasn't being responsible. Perhaps, the leaders of these banks were even working on their careers and getting rich at the time.

Historically, great things have been accomplished because a few individuals dared to take the heat and face the consequences. One prime example was the work that brought about the outlawing of slavery.

Sadly, our sluggard society is all too selfish, lazy and irresponsible. Murder is now considered an an appropriate option to elder care. The Barbarians truly are at the gate.