Harsh as this is, I can't help but agree. A government has no place (imo) to decide whether a free citizen should live or die, and this is especially true when their life is nothing but pain and suffering. Side note, there is a simply spectacular film called You Don't Know Jack (Al Pacino!) on this subject. I suggest anyone interested to watch it. Great filmmaking and a handful of ye ol' Al Pacino quotes of inspiration.
He was one weird dude though, a bit death obsessed, and there are some fairly valid criticisms of the way he operated. I do however, support his cause. In the nineties he was speaking at my college. I had a show on our college radio station and when I spotted him in the student center I ran up and asked him if he would do a station ID for us. He asked what I wanted him to say and I replied "This is Dr. Jack Kevorkian for WXOU, -rock till you drop!" He declined, saying he didn't think his lawyer would approve. Can't say I blame him but it would have been sort of epic as far as station IDs go...
Wow I had never heard of that movie, too bad it isn't on netflix or I'd watch it tonight. Another popular story which shaped my early understanding and views on the issue is Of Mice and Men, when (SPOILER) George saves Lennie from an inevitable, painful death by ending his life in a state of bliss. It must be the group of people I find myself around or perhaps my age, because whenever the subject of euthanasia comes up it is almost unanimously agreed upon that it should be legal. I definitely see the legality of it coming around as the older generation dies out and the younger generation starts to vote.
cough cough Hey kid, i've got somethin for you, why dont you take a look. Note: It's very long. Watch it when you know you'll finish watching it. And I agree with you, but again it just could be the bias of our environment in part.