Thursday, May 8, 2008
America shouldn’t have a list of those who would die
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to an article in the May 5 Vindicator regarding the “List” in case of a major disaster.
What has become of our civilization, let alone “One Nation Under God?” The influential group of physicians who developed this death list should examine their motives by searching the scriptures in the Holy Bible. Whether they believe in God or not, one day they will have to answer to him.
Those taking part in such a method of selecting life or death would be responsible for the death of the following people:
People age 85 and older — 4.2 million
People with Alzheimer’s — 4.5 million
People with advanced heart failure — 26 million
People with diabetes — 14.6 million
Some 2,200 children under age 20 are diagnosed with brain tumors every year.
As for “those with severe mental impairment,” could they mean those mentally retarded or autistic?
There is no way to determine how many are or would be in the category of severe trauma, but my understanding of the Physicians Creed is that they will do all possible with in their power to save a life, and to provide medical care to the best of their ability.
The thought of a task force on this subject being comprised of members of “prestigious universities, medical groups, the military and government agencies” leaves me with chills. In the event of a major disaster, would President Jimmy Carter, President Bush (senior), or other well known, financially well-to-do persons be on the list? I don’t think so.
A doctor went to prison for the use of euthanasia on other people. We condemn other countries for using genocide tactics on unwanted people. Isn’t this the same thing?
If we anticipate a shortage of medical services and equipment in an extreme disaster, then we need to spend our tax dollars preparing to protect the American people instead of spending billions of dollars on war and elsewhere.
PAUL NOBLE
New Middletown
Enough with the sin taxes
EDITOR:
Please don’t dare to put anymore taxes on our cigarettes and liquor. You’ve punished us enough and too much for these so-called sins.
How about putting your sin tax on lottery ticket purchases? Then, if you want sin taxes, there must also be religious taxes on religious luxuries. There should be a ceiling for exemptions and everything over this ceiling should be taxed.
How about extra taxes on luxury clothing, cars, etc. Excessive luxuries should also be a sin.
How about putting a sin tax on top executives who cut employees’ benefits, salaries and jobs then take all this savings for themselves in the form of bonuses, etc.? These acts deserve a sin tax or greed tax. You have gone too far with your sin tax on cigarettes and liquor until it’s ridiculous, outrageous and uncalled for. It is becoming an excessive punishment tax unjustly imposed upon persons who are mostly stressed-out at the end of the day, need a beer or liquor to relax, have no extra money for these endless sin taxes coming out of their pockets. We have a right not to be singled out this way for tax abuse.
LYSTON REGISTE
Youngstown