HB369

Please do not pass this bill. People are not animals to be “put down” when they are no longer healthy or well. Life is a gift from God, and the time and place of death is in His hands. We have the capabilities to lesson suffering and provide dignity and support to those who are terminally ill, but we should not presume to know or understand when the right time to die is. The potential for error is huge. By legalizing euthanasia, a person suffering mental illness may see this as an end to their suffering, and in a time of extreme crisis, make a decision that cannot be reversed. The potential for error is great, and a mistaken loss of even 1 life would be too much. We just need to look to Canada to see the rise in numbers and the truly horrific effects similar legislation has had. We cannot allow our sympathies and sadness for the few, to release our responsibility to the greater number of people who have no one to advocate for them. Those who still deserve dignity and compassion and caring until the time of natural death. We have all been tasked by our Creator to take care of others. That does not mean just when they are healthy and care is easy. It is perhaps most important when things are difficult and we are challenged no matter how hard it may be for us. Our duty for caring and compassion to others is required of all, to all. It is required not just when it makes us feel good, and when things make sense to us, but especially when we must rely on faith, a greater power, when things are hard and when they don’t make sense but we know in our hearts it is right. Thou shalt not kill. There was no disclaimer that says unless life is hard, painful, or messy. Thou shalt not kill. Listen to those words. Thou shalt not kill. I urge you to dismiss this bill and keep NH a place where all life is respected.