End of Life

One of my short-term priorities is legalizing medical assistance in dying for those who have a terminal illness. But in the long term, I'd like suicide to be legal even without a terminal illness, as it is in Switzerland.

As a practical matter, if I kill myself, it's obviously too late for the police to arrest me and charge me with a crime. Of course, I'd rather my final act not make me an outlaw. But more importantly, other people should be allowed to assist me if they're willing.

The Libertarian Party Platform doesn't specifically mention suicide. But a classical liberal government needs to allow it, because it's inherent in the statement nobody owes me food as described on the Libertarianism page. If for any reason I become destitute and can't afford food, I face a risk of death if voluntary charity isn't enough to sustain me. And what makes this risk of death different from that of skydiving or mountaineering is that in this case I'll likely need to commit suicide.

If I accomplish nothing else with my campaign, I'd like libertarians everywhere to think long and hard about this question: what exactly are you going to do if for some reason you can no longer earn a living, and voluntary charity isn't enough? I've heard many libertarians say this situation could never arise, but I think they're ducking the question. Of course we'd all like to think it's very unlikely, but there's always a chance.

As for me, if I'm ever in that situation, I'll find some painless way to end my life. And since I'm declaring my intentions now, long before becoming destitute, it should be clear that I'm not suffering from depression or mental illness.