Simon O’Connor

We need more thoughtful, wise MPs like Simon O’Connor who see the big picture when it comes to the issue of euthanasia/ physician-assisted suicide and suicide, able to weigh up the facts in a balanced compassionate way that protects the ‘rights’ of us all, and not just the few with a vocal agenda.

Simon is absolutely right that ‘‘the supporters of euthanasia/PAS are arguing that suicide is an acceptable solution to some problems’’, ‘‘and you can’t be opposed to suicide for some in society, while happily advocating it for others’’. He was ‘right on’ to draw the public’s attention to the inconsistency of Jacinda Ardern’s position being very concerned about youth suicide (good on you, Jacinda), while being happy to encourage the suicide of the elderly, disabled, and sick (not good).

Each one of the above groups are vulnerable, deserving, in need of ‘social support’’. Euthanasia is a poor reward, a betrayal of the love and trust of our elderly, disabled, and sick who have worked so hard to provide, protect, and care for us the younger generation, giving us a quality of life that they didn’t have or enjoy themselves.

Douglas H Gibbs

Taumarunui

and grossly under funded. Bill English says there is no housing crisis and Anne Tolley, well I remember her when she was education minister, she said instead of spending $500,000 on fire sprinklers she would rather the money go to teaching her daughter to swim through the school education system. Guess what, since then a number of schools have burnt down and many kids still cannot swim. And finally Steven Joyce, a bit of advice – don’t brag about surpluses, they were not achieved through good management.

They were achieved firstly through the increase of the GST and withholding funds from every important area so that all of these election promises can be made and most not kept.

Geoffrey Strickland

Thames

6. Preferring diesel locomotives over electric on the rail system. 7. Supporting further mining exploration in the Coromandel – on conservation land!

All that and I have barely mentioned water. They now support exporting of our clean water – NB from the few remaining sources that are not polluted!!

Their ideology has given them ‘‘tunnel vision’’. Their fixation is slowly destroying our ‘‘clean green’’ image.

If we Kiwis care ever before, we need to vote for change. A coalition of environment friendly parties offers a better future for our children and grandchildren.

Neil Smith

Hamilton