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NRL News
Legalized
Assisted Suicide Imminent Danger in Vermont Vermont pro-lifers have been successfully resisting the push toward euthanasia in our little state for decades. In fact, since the first so-called “Death with Dignity” bill was introduced in Vermont in 1976, a bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide has never reached the floor of the House or Senate for a vote despite numerous attempts. The organizations supporting the measures have changed their name too many times to count—from the Hemlock Society to Death with Dignity to End of Life Choices—and the bill has now been renamed “Patient Choice and Control at End of Life,” all without changing one word of the original language. It is still physician-assisted suicide no matter how they try to hide their real agenda. But, despite their calculated cleverness over the years, the suicide proponents always came up empty handed at the end of each legislative session. However, for the past three years national euthanasia organizations have focused their deadly desires like a laser beam on this small state. The drive to legalize physician-assisted suicide has suffered defeat after defeat in state after state throughout the 10 years since Oregon became the only state to legalize the deadly practice. So, why are the pro-death forces looking to Vermont for a desperately needed win in order to revive their failed propositions? Consider the following: * Vermont is well-known as a breeding ground for radical ideas. * Vermont is such a small state that it is easy and inexpensive to co-opt public opinion as long as national organizations are willing to pour large amounts of money into surveys containing misleading questions with skewed results, to buy television advertising on Vermont’s two major news outlets, to hire pricey lobbying firms, and to capitalize on a media market favorable to their views. * Vermonters in the last election handed those who favor suicide exactly what Jack Kevorkian and his ilk could only dream of a few years ago—a state legislature tipped heavily into their column by the last election. A win in this small state will lay the groundwork for the big win: the state of California. (See story, page 24) All told, euthanasia proponents are rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of what appears to be a sure win in Vermont. Some in the media have predicted easy passage in the Vermont House and prospects for the Senate look equally grim. Governor James Douglas has stated that he doesn’t support the concept of assisted suicide but should he veto the measure it will take 51 votes in the Vermont House to sustain it. Is passage inevitable? The simple answer is no, because defeat is unthinkable. With dedicated volunteers, prayers, and a coalition of Vermonters who are speaking out against assisted suicide, we are giving this fight everything we’ve got. (Find out more by viewing the Vermont Voices brochure at www.vrlc.net.) But help is needed. Send financial help if you can. Pray for a miracle. Mary Hahn Beerworth, Executive Director, Vermont Right to Life Committee, P.O. Box 1079, Montpelier, Vermont 05601. (802) 229-4885. |