Beware of Vultures: Senator Jennifer Fielder on Compassion & Choices

"[I]t seems odd that the top lobby spender in Montana this year was Compassion and Choices, a 'nonprofit' group that spent $160,356 advocating for legalization of assisted suicide."

By Senator Jennifer Fielder

As we wrangled through the budget this spring, the beautiful state capitol began to feel like a big, ripe carcass with a dark cloud of vultures circling about.  

Senator Jennifer Fielder

The magnitude of money in government attracts far more folks who want to be on the receiving end than it does those who just want fair and functional government. Until that ratio improves, it may be impossible to rein in unnecessary regulation and spending. 

Special interest groups spent over $6 million dollars on lobbyists to pressure Montana legislators during the 2013 session. Seems like a lot of money, until you compare it to the billions of taxpayer dollars at stake. Does the average taxpayer stand a chance against organized forces like that?

Assisted suicide: Senate bill was defeated

http://www.ravallirepublic.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_f38cc835-638d-59c1-bd88-880c1cb3c1c8.html 

June 09, 2013 9:45 am

I was appalled to read Charles Johnson’s article implying that assisted suicide is legal in Montana. To the contrary, Senate Bill 220, which had sought to legalize assisted-suicide, was defeated in committee during the 2013 legislative session. The bill was tabled, nine votes to three. See www.montanansagainstassistedsuicide.org/p/sb-220-tabled.html.

Great Falls Event Saturday June 29th!

Join us for an interesting and provocative afternoon.  For a print flyer, please click here.

Title:  "Assisted Suicide:  Whose Choice?"

Date: Saturday, June 29, 2013
Registration:  Noon 

Program:  1 to 4pm 
Reception:  informal discussions/reception to follow

Where:  Hilton Garden Inn, 2520 14th St. SW, Great Falls, MT.
Cost/RSVP:  No cost or rsvp required. 
More Information:  Contact Bradley Williams at Bradley@MontanansAgainstAssistedSuicide.org or by phone at 406 531 0937. 
Continuing Legal Education:  For lawyers, 1.0 CLE credit pending for the Dore/Tummarello presentation.  See below.

Keynote Speaker:

Alex Schadenberg

Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and Chair of the Euthanasia Coalition International, based in Ontario, Canada.  These organizations are a barrier to the legalization of assisted suicide/euthanasia worldwide.  Mr. Schadenberg is a recognized expert on assisted suicide and euthanasia.  He is an exciting and engaging speaker.  His topic:  "Legal Assisted Suicide - A Threat to Public Safety."

Other Speakers:

Margaret Dore is an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide is legal.  She is also President of Choice is an Illusion, a nonprofit corporation opposed to assisted suicide.  Her topic:  "Assisted Suicide, A Legal Perspective - What does Baxter mean?  Is Baxter Wrong?"  

Philip Tummarello is a Retired Police Sergeant Inspector, now living in Stevensville, MT.  His topic:  "Assisted Suicide:  A Law Enforcement Perspective." 

Carol Mungas is the widow of James E. Mungas, a prominent Great Falls physician.  To see his story, click here.

Bradley D. Williams is President of Montanans Against Assisted Suicide.  

Sponsored by:

Montanans Against Assisted Suicide; Not Dead Yet; Choice is an Illusion, a nonprofit corporation; and Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition International.

Fight Over Assisted Suicide Moves Back to Court

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/fight-over-assisted-suicide-moves-back-to-court/article_7985baad-87a0-592a-b6dd-187073a4c47f.html?print=true&cid=print

Matt Gouras, Associated Press

May 8, 2013

HELENA — The fight over physician-assisted suicide in Montana is moving back to the courtroom after the Legislature failed this session to clarify that the practice is specifically legal or illegal.

Montanans Against Assisted Suicide is trying to strike the state Board of Medical Examiners' policy that guides doctors in the matter.

A Helena judge has scheduled oral arguments for next month in the case. The lawsuit was filed in December.    Since then, the Montana Legislature failed in efforts to either clarify that the practice is specifically legal or illegal. It was the second straight session where lawmakers couldn't agree on which direction to take the state.

[To view the lawsuit's petition and attachments, click here , here and here]