- LETTER TO VARIOUS FEDERAL & STATE 04/04/07 (contribution from a reader)-

A copy of this letter has been emailed to a select number of politicians by both the original author & with additional information from "Choice" on how the Poll that Governments consistently ignore operates


Dear George, (Colbaine, Opposition Federal Labor (Herbert) Candidate)

Just a short note to say hello and as per my forward advice I trust that time allowed you to view last nights SBS Insight program on the question of peoples choice in end of life decisions which, if missed will be repeated this Friday at 1.30PM

I thought that the introduction of short personal real life stories was a powerful depiction and thought provoking in support for end of life autonomous choice.

In spite of such examples of when a person's life is no more than a biological existance (in a persistant vegetative state) or in extreme pain from a terminal disease, thus failed to attract any merciful empathy from either the smug "right to life" Nicholas Tonti-Filippini or the apparent apathetic Liberal Christopher Pyne MP, now regrettably Minister for
the Aged.

In denying such freedoms of personal choice for the terminally ill experiencing unrelenting suffering, it is suffice to say that both of these dispassionate gentlemen were firmly of the opinion that all we should do is give these stressed sick people hospice palliative care and if possible resolve the psychological problems and ease their spirits until death.

It was interesting when Jenny Brockie raised the spectre of 80% public support, how Christopher Pyne in voicing disrespect for community polls, patronisingly stated that politicians know best which to me represents
governmental pseudo-democracy which ought to have been vigorously pursued on the program.

As different people's ideals of life differ so remarkably from each other, due to their religious beliefs then the logical assumption for the prudent way forward, is to leave the right to decide via personal choice to each
individual person -- providing strict legal provisions are in place like Oregon (US) for example.

Yours truly

RB
 

Choice Comments: The program demonstrated the Federal Government's position on democracy. "We, the government know what is best for you and your wellbeing... We don't care what you say!" , and my experience in Victoria is reflective of this arrogance of self righteousness. A copy of this email has also been sent to Mr Kevin Rudd , the ALP Opposition
Leader himself a confirmed Christian. However, at least 50% of Australians hold no specific religious belief and accordingly, in a democracy, require laws that also take their views into account. The chat room of SBS would
indicate that Minister Pyne came across as arrogant to the wider audience, as to me!

I am also forwarding a copy of this correspondence, posted on my website, to our Victorian Premier Steve Bracks and his Minister for Health, Bronwyn Pike. And Prime Minister Howard.

Clarification of the "Poll". (kindly supplied by DWDV)

• The Age polls conducted online are not scientific. Their poll on 22Sep06 gave 90% Yes response to the question "Should the States and Territories legalise euthanasia?" (Note it didn't even say 'voluntary'.) There were 706 responses. Then later, on 29Jan07, they asked "Should euthanasia be legalised?" (Again, no 'voluntary'.) This got an 84% Yes from 3,026
  responses, the lion's share of which one could safely assume were Victorian. I emphasise that these polls are NOT scientific because the respondents are self-selecting. But this second poll result was suprisingly close to the "real thing".
   
• The Newspoll survey, conducted by a national, respected research company, is now available on our web site Survey page. 2,423 respondents were interviewed nationally, a highly statistically robust sample size. It found that 80% of AUSTRALIANS and 82% of VICTORIANS answered "Yes" to:
  
  If a hopelessly ill patient, experiencing unrelievable suffering, with absolutely no chance of recovering asks for a lethal dose, should a doctor be allowed to provide a lethal dose, or not?
  
  The Yes vote was in response to methodologically sound, robust and independently-managed polling. It stands on its own merit and if politicians say "It's not a referendum", then challenge them to hold a referendum! Otherwise, they need to ACT on the basis of empirical and sound evidence, which the Newspoll results are.
  
  April 4, 2007
   

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