I hear on good authority that the first steps towards having a citizens’ initiative vote in the state of WASHINGTON in November 2008 (at the time of the general and presidential election) have been taken towards a law permitting physician-assisted suicide for the dying.
Concerned groups have just created a PAC called: “It’s My Decision Committee.” It is in the throes of hiring campaign staff and renting an office, but have yet to make an official announcement.
(PAC = Political Action Committee, required under law for such an endeavor.)
The law which the PAC will try to pass for its state is likely to be similar to the Oregon Death With Dignity Act, l994, which has operated successfully — after court challenges — since l988. Some 300 terminally ill Oregonians have taken advantage of this law to die peacefully. Only residents of the state may use it. The US Supreme Court rejected the Bush Administration’s attempt to disqualify the Oregon law.
Before the question can be placed on the ballot next year, more than 600,000 signatures must be gathered on a petition from citizens on the voters roll that they want the question of physician-assisted suicide put on the ballot form. To be successful, more than $5 million USD will be required overall for the initiative.
Watch this blog for the official announcement, and details about how to help. You can obtain informative literature on voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide at the ERGO Bookstore.
