thoughts on technology and culture, politics, and information design
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Oregon Death with Dignity Act vs. Ashcroft
I was pleased to see today that Ashcroft's assault on Oregon's Death with Dignity Act was stopped. As a former Oregonian, watching Ashcroft spend so much time and effort fighting the will of Oregonians for a state measure, twice approved, was discouraging. I'd like to see an adminstration fighting for consumers, or the poor, or enforcing civil rights, as opposed to fighting a state. If Ashcroft had, for instance, decided to sue credit card companies for extending unrealistic amounts of credit to college kids, that might be a worthy battle. Or perhaps addressing the issue of how an increasing number of businesses feel that cancelling pension plans is a realistic means to financial viability.
In any case, today's Supreme Court decision is a victory for Oregonians, and a victory for states that are experimenting in controversial areas in line with the majority will of their populace. Congrats Oregon! Less than 200 people have exercised their rights under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, and regardless of my or your beliefs on physician-assisted suicide, the act is about personal choice and doesn't compel anyone who disagrees with the premise of the Act to do anything. In my opinion, Ashcroft's campaign against the people of Oregon was an unfortunate waste of time that could have been much better spent... I'm not a big Ashcroft fan, so it's good to get some vindication from the Supreme Court.
As Anthony Kennedy wrote in the decision, the "authority claimed by the attorney general is both beyond his expertise and incongruous with the statutory purposes and design."
Indeed.