NY Medical Aid in Dying Act, student proficiency
Student proficiency in English and math tests is not good enough, a reader writes; they need to excel. Credit: iStock
Gov’s approval of aid in dying is troubling
As a practicing Catholic, I am troubled by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s support for the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would legalize assisted suicide in New York [“Opening the door to aid in dying,” Editorial, Dec. 19]. Hochul has recently described assisted suicide as a merciful option, framing it as shortening dying, not life, and invoking God’s mercy in support of her position.
She noted she reached this conclusion while attending a Catholic funeral. As a fellow Catholic, I believe this reflects a serious misunderstanding of Church teaching. Catholic doctrine is clear: Human life is sacred at every stage, and intentionally ending a life, or assisting in doing so, is never an act of mercy.
Compassion does not eliminate the person who suffers; it accompanies them. Assisted suicide rests on the dangerous premise that some lives are no longer worth living. Even apart from moral objections, the risks are real. No safeguards can totally protect the elderly, disabled, or terminally ill from pressure, especially when others may benefit from a hastened death.
— John Virdone, Westbury
It was predictable that Kathy Hochul would legalize assisted suicide. She is only a politician and caved to pressure about killing.
She decided the lives of the medically vulnerable, as she did with the unborn, can be devalued and therefore eliminated. She’s establishing a precedent, and unless faith and goodness prevail, this will lead to the killing of the chronically ill.
— James Dolan Jr., North Massapequa
Why celebrate student proficiency?
I read with interest and some amusement about the test scores in math and English [“State test scores rise for Long Island students,” News, Dec. 16]. Some 55.5% of Long Island students met or exceeded proficiency standards in English and 60.1% in math. This is cause for celebration?
Proficient isn’t good enough — they need to excel. So, just over half the students are OK and the rest are behind. These schools deserve a grade of F.
I pay exorbitant school taxes, and this made me feel that my money is wasted. I expect much better results.
— Valerie Romeo, Bayport
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