Death with dignity

Nothing like a Republican administration standing up for state's rights:

Attorney General John Ashcroft drew the ire of Oregon officials with one of his last official acts: Asking the U.S. Supreme Court to set aside the state's - and nation's only - assisted-suicide law.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski argued Tuesday that Oregon voters have twice endorsed the right of terminally ill patients to die more quickly and that "it's past time for this administration to focus on ways to work with Oregon - not against us."

Ashcroft's challenge had been expected since May, when a lower court ruled the federal government could not punish Oregon doctors who prescribed lethal doses of federally controlled drugs.

While not as prominent as abortion, the issue is an important one for conservative Christians, who helped President Bush win a second term last week. The government waited until Tuesday, the final day possible, to file paperwork at the high court.

Yep, it looks nothing like a Republican administration standing up for state's rights. It's time we nail that coffin shut.

*UPDATE* Kos has another example of Republicans legislating morality rather than letting the people decide what they want. A party truly drunk with power.