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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-03-23, Page 6editoriel page LUCKN,.y YSENTINEL "The Sep» roves" established 1671 THOMAS A. THOMPSON - Advertising SHARON .1. MET?. • Editor PAT LIVINGSTON • Office Manager JOAN HELM Compositor MERLE. aLIOTT - 1}pesetter Manager Luteknew Sentinel, Wednesday, March 23, 1983—Page 6 Business and Lditortal Ott c' 1 clephone S21 -2 c22 Mailing Address P.O pox 400 Lucknoa , NOCi 2H0 Se,.-ond C I;:ss Mad Registration Number 0847 Subscription rate, 515.25 per year In ode once Senior Ultimo rate, 512.75 per year ht ',Meant* l',S.A. and roreign, 538.00 per year In advance Sr. Cit, .S,A, and ibretgn, S3t3.00 per year to advance editoriel The choice for life The case of young Stephen Dawson, blind, deaf and mute, suffering from cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation, has raised the most complex medical, ethical and legal Issues. Should Stephen be given the surgery he needed to save his life or should he be allowed to die? Should society decide which human life is worth saving and which is not? Death comes to us all. Where death is imminent and inevitable, society does not demand exceptional measures to prolong the process and delay the natural course of events. Nor does society demand that people whose brains are dead be kept alive with life support systems and machines, But these two instances are different than actively withholding surgery -from someone who would likely live for a long time if the surgery is done, because of a conviction that that person's life is not worth living, In the case of Stephen, the surgery to remove a blocked shunt and replace it with one which works properly, is a relatively simple procedure performed regularly and successfully on children suffering from hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid on the brain, Without surgery he would slip into a coma but death would not necessarily be ithminent, He could live indefinitely in pain, With the surgery there is every possibility he will not suffer, any ill effects from the blocked shunt and will return to his level of awareness prior to the surgery. Despite his handicaps, the medical staff who have cared for Stephen pleaded for the surgery to be performed, They said he is aware of his surroundings and can show happiness, He has also been showing some progress in overcoming his physical handicaps, The plight of the parents is understandable. Their child can never come home to stay, He will never lead an active normal life, To prolong his life is cruel, He will suffer needless pain and his parents will continue to suffer the emotional trauma they have known for the six years of Stephen's life, Hut who is to decide whether a person's life is worth living? If our society accepts the principle of mercy killing, who will sit in Judgement of the weakest in our society? Could a child born severely retarded be denied the relatively simple surgery to repair a blocked shunt because his life is unhappy? Could an elderly infirm person be denied a heart operation to spare further pain? Cancer wards are full of terminally ill patients who fight oti against their pain and the disease consuming their bodies for the love of life. Group homes and workshops provide stimulation for people with extreme mental handicaps who smile when they are hugged. They respond to love and they give such love, unconditionally. As a caring society we cannot dare to determine that a persons suffering outweighs his right to life. Nor can we decide that a person's handicaps prohibit a quality of life and he is better off dead, Human life is to be cherished and nourished no matter how difficult the circumstances. Mr. Justice Lloyd George MacKenzie made the only decision possible. Our society will not presume that one person's life is worth living and another is not. Ietters To the Editor: Thank you for last week's editorial, 1 agree that Allen Wilford's fast in Stratford jail was a spectacular media ev- ent. He really didn't need all that much ink in your column, but 1 believe he is the Greatest Farm leader of our time. Never argue with someone, who doesn't know what they are talking about, for if you win you will have gained no advantage. Cletus Dalton. To the Editor: The members of the Atom B hockey team wish to extend a hearty thanks to Harry Johnston and Henry Askes for working with these 18 youngsters, permitting them to improve their skating and hockey skills over the season. Also a thank you to the parents who were so helpful with driving and assisting at practices. Harry Burgsma and the Atom 8 team. Rebate proposal dives farine rs a choice Editor's nutet The following letter to the editor written by Gordon Hill of the White Bean Marketing Board was printed in the Goderich Signal -Star and is published here for the interest of Sentinel readers, Partners Now Have A Choke To the Editor, Recently, at the request of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (O, F, A. ), the Ontario Government again offered a new farm property tax proposal, Basically, the new proposal is this, farm land and buildings will be assessed and taxed as they are now, farm homes will be assessed and taxed equitably with other homes in the community, the lot on which the farm house sits will be assessed and taxed at 50 per rent of the value the lot would have if it could be severed. The program will be legislated, therefore more permanent and secure than the present rebate program which must be approved each year by Order in Council, Farmers will con- tinue to pay their entire property taxes as they do now. Those farmers who wish to, will receive a grant equal to the sum of the taxes on their land and farm buildings. There will be no grant on the farm house and lot. The farm property tax grants will be in the same category as many other government payments. For example, grants for farm ponds and water systems, milk houses, stables, barns, implement' sheds. drains, manure storage, fruit and vegetable storage, grain storage, deficiency~payments on farm products, improving homes on and off farms, building and rebuilding factories, painting and sprucing up farm buildings, modernizing machin- ery and equipment, assisting Massey Ferguson, Chrysler and other corpor- ations to remain solvent as well as many other purposes. Some farmers oppose the new plan. They mistakenly equate payment of taxes with maintenance of property rights. The right to own, hold and enjoy property are ensured by a docu- ment called a "Deed", registered through the legal system and enforced by law, not by payment of taxes, Farm property rights were streng- thened recently by the Government passing new laws to reduce and control trespassing. Of course, farm- ers will continue to pay property taxes too and receive a receipt from the municipal tax collector. However, many people securely own property without the property being taxed. Expensive paintings held as an investment, bonds, travel trailers, sail and motor boats are among the items of property nor assessed for property tax, try bor- rowing one without the owner's con- sent. Many senior citizens receive property tax grants, but uninvited public use of their home is not permitted. The O.F.A. continues to believe that an equitable tax system should be based on four points: 1. People taxed for services to people; 2. Property taxed for services to prop- erty; 3. Land assessed according to prod- uctivity; 4. Taxes based on ability to pay. The Ontario Government and their staff in the Property Assessment Branch have sincerely tried for many years to find such a system for taxing farm property. They have been unsuc- cessful. Government decided three years ago not to continue the search because. probably, the funds generat- ed would not justify the hassle. Farmers now have a choice. They can oppose the new proposal and Government will retain the present insecure system. Or they can accept the new proposal with its legislated security - and the additional twenty million dollars it would annually provide the farm community. Yours very truly, Gordon Hill. "Thanks but no thanks" Mr. TimLrelL To Dennis Timbreil, Ontario Minister of Agriculture: Thanks for the offer Mr. Timbre!' but 1411 pass on your new 100 per cent rebate of taxes on Agricultural land and Agricultural buildings. 1 believe there is no such thing as something for nothing. 1 ant very happy with things the way they are now: 50 per cent total rebate of all land taxes paid. I see no reason to change things and desire no change. Prom my experience with govern- ment rebates and subsidies such as Ontario Farm Adjustment Assistance program, Interest Reduction grant, the odds are certainly against you on this plan. 1 will pay my agriculture taxes and keep my pride of ownership and my land use rights. Under no circum- stance would I give up my farm rights to police protection, fire protection and road use. Aside from my pride of ownership, we need police, fire protection and road use. We should pay our fair share for all of these services. We have it pretty good using the highways to move our machinery and our agriculture crops to other farms and to sales yards and eleva- tors. My taxes have always been a small part of my farm expenses. t consider your plan a socialistic move and a violation of farmers' rights. i agree with the Huron County Federation of Agriculture's stand of opposition to the 100 per cent abate. Don't covet the other fellows rights it' you are not prepared to accept the responrib*lity that goes with it. Cletus Dalton. Farm organizations should have predicted crisis Dungannon, Ontario, March 21, 1983. to the Editor: Serious issues of agriculture and finance today need well informed level heads and patient negotiation between parties concerned to reach an acceptable solution. Hill C653 as it went to committee from the floor of the House of Commons on Wednesday, March 16, 1983, would give a simple and inexpensive procedure for farmers to reach an agreeable settlement, removed from the hostilities previously generated. The three political parties had given it speedy passage when it was presented on Wednesday. You, in your editorial page referred to Mr. Wilford's act. I'm sure politicians recognize a clever move when they see one, and as politicians recognize the courage of Mr. Wilford in taking advantage when opportunity knocked, olivet Did the established farm organizations see this financial disaster coming?? If they didn't, why didn't they? If they did, why are provisions not in place to protect our younger generation of farmers from crippling interest rates, and inadequate returns. This coming generation of farmers not only has to carry the load of producing food for this nation and others, but must also provide a market for many of this country's industries, goods, and services. Where will the young, strong and hopeful he, when the older generation are gone? Then who will have the land? in the hands of a few. Rut who? if survival is the way, Then so be it, cause 1 aim to stay. James E. Rook. Hy Lorraine McGuire Weekend visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Walter black were .lana and David Black of Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Jack McGuire were dinner guests with the Blacks on Sunday. The February and March meetings of Unit 5 of St. Andrews U.( .W. Ripley were held at the homes of Carol Blackwell and Muriel Osborne. At each of the meetings thirteen members enjoyed a pot luck luncheon. Mary Ann Hanson planned the program and Muriel Os- borne outlined the study hook at the February meet- ing. At theMarch meeting Mars' Black conducted the worship service, Doris Black- well read an interesting poem. What if God Went on Strike. Carol Blackwell led in the mission study. Justice in Vanuatu. followed by a lively discussion. The May meeting and sale will he held at Huron Villa. Ripley with Ethel White as hostess. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Rick Smith on the birth of a wee hahv hoe , a brother for Michael. Barbara Smyth was a pat- ient in Kincardine Hospital for a couple of days last week having her tonsils removed. Hope you are feeling Netter Barbara!