Governor Jerry Brown made California the fourth state in the US on Monday to allow physician assisted dying. Yes, only the fourth, and it's disappointing that the numbers (or the lack of) overshadow the real achievement. Everyone has the right to live, and everyone should have the right to die. Of course life is sacred, but the opponents of this law must not seriously think that California's true intentions are to have a genocide. They simply just want to help those people who have no hope of a cure, and are suffering. That's it, there is no story here, Everyone is allowed to make their decisions about their life and body. If you can go and get an abortion from a professional, you should also be able to go to your doctor to die. They are there to help you and to lessen your pain. In any way possible. Of course we support that background checks must take place, and several doctors (including psychologists) should sign off before you are allowed to die. You sho...
The past week has seen some grand happenings that shifted American society into a new direction.
Earlier this week, the nation and the world was still shocked about the horrible news coming out of South Carolina. It seemed like it will be another bad week for Obama, under whom racial tensions in the US have became the most tense since the Civil War. It is hardly what America's first African American President hoped to achieve. In fact it is quite ironic.
However, tides soon turned towards his favour. The nation mourned together, and focus shifted on gun laws. While it would be irrational to ban guns all together, much tougher laws and regulations are certainly needed to end tragedies like this. If things continue to go this way America will slowly defeat itself over the racial divide. Nobody wants that.
Even many Republicans, such as Mitt Romney, and several GOP candidates have suggested tighter gun regulations. More over, they supported the removal of the Confederate flag from outside the State Senate of South Carolina. Many people still mistakingly see the flag as a symbol for racial divide and racism in America, and the mass media is part of it. Originally, as Lynyrd Skynyrd always clarifies too, the flag was a symbol for the Confederate soldiers, and that is what it should remain as. However, over the years it mistakingly changed, and now it is scapegoated.
As the Confederate flag was coming down across parts of the country, the LGBT flag went up. The Supreme Court finally legalised same-sex marriage in the US on a federal level, becoming the 14th country to do so. Scenes of celebrations erupted all over the country and world. It will no doubt transform American society, however the Supreme Court's earlier decision one day prior has been overshadowed. Obamacare has also been approved, and is now a federal law.
Obamacare is very far from perfect, but it could give a chance to millions of Americans for a better health care, and no one argues with that. What the Republicans have a problem with is that they believe it could be much better, which is also true. However, it is better then nothing. It is a start, from where the healthcare system can evolve, and a start that the country needed. However, if the Republicans win back the White House in next November, the issue will surely continue, and many changes will probably happen.
The week's events will also be a big win for the Supreme Court, as recently it has been labeled as ineffective and lazy. It is however crucial for democracy, and it once again proved it that it is the true cornerstone of the American system.
So as Obama eulogised in Charleston and sang Amazing Grace live on national television, it will be a week that will be often remembered as part of his legacy. The legacy that looked pretty slim until not so recently. But as his term is nearing its end, the Nuclear deal with Iran and detente with Cuba too will leave a massive impact on the American society, and also have a big international effect. Obama might just make it as a successful(ish) President. But it will all be up to History. Not us.
This is an original material of Finchley 1959.
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