Friday, June 4, 2010

Right To Die Is Prescription For Abuse

This is an excellent letter written by Representative Nancy Elliott from New Hampshire that was published 5/28/2010. Nancy was a valient voice who opposed assisted suicide in New Hampshire based on the sad reality of elder abuse and how legalizing assisted suicide would effect vulnerable people. Her article stated:

I am a state representative in New Hampshire, where we recently voted down an Oregon-style "death with dignity" act. The vote was 242 to 133 (nearly 70 percent). I disagree with Barbara Coombs Lee that such legislation brings "choice" to elders [Opinion, May 16, "Elders Deserve Choices, Not Just A Bitter End"].

In New Hampshire, many legislators who initially thought that they were for the act became uncomfortable when they studied it further. Contrary to promoting "choice" for older people, these acts are a prescription for abuse. These acts empower heirs and others to pressure and abuse older people to cut short their lives. This is especially an issue when the older person has money. There is no assisted-suicide bill that you can write to correct this huge problem.

Do not be deceived.

Nancy Elliott, Merrimack, N.H.

We are fortunanate that courageous and truthful leaders, such as Nancy Elliott, are willing to speak up and be counted in the debate.
Link to the letter at: http://mobile.courant.com/inf/infomo?view=opinion_and_politics_item&feed:a=courant_5min&feed:c=opinionpolitics&feed:i=53984529&nopaging=1

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