Government Decides Who Lives and Who Dies?

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Updated: Oct 28, 2013

Government Decides Who Lives and Who Dies?

While the media focus on the train wreck that is Obamacare, to the north of our border, national health care is tightening its grip. The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that doctors may not unilaterally ignore a Toronto family's decision to keep their near-dead husband and father on life support. Simultaneously, the court also confirmed that a group of adjudicators appointed by the government could yet override the family's choice. In other words, the tribunal, not the family, has the ultimate power to turn off the machinery. Death panels!

All inhumanities are ushered in at the extremes. It doesn't happen quickly, so people can become used to it. The motivations are always presented as pure: Grandpa would have wanted it this way; he doesn't want to become a burden; why waste the inheritance when there is no chance of survival; quality of life; and so forth.

Of course there are circumstances when the plug should be pulled, but notice the precedent. The government gets the final word. It is then a short step for government to adopt a utilitarian view of life and not God's view. Government decides who lives and who does. Coming soon with Obamacare. You watch, if they allow you.

I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.

Publication date: October 25, 2013



Government Decides Who Lives and Who Dies?