Does it seem like this proposed assisted suicide law just came out of the blue?

[Anonymous]

My growing perception (yes, an opinion) is that ward 3 councilwoman Mary Cheh is spending an inordinate amount of time on what I would characterize as national debates and not much on nitty gritty ward 3 constituent issues. People are still freaking out over the proposed homeless shelter that was introduced in an oblique and oddball way (not by her, but supported by her) and we have moved on to assisted suicide legislation with little/no public testimony? As far as I can tell, she is committed to DC being San Francisco where I've heard the actual quality of life (high rent, urine in the streets) is not that hot. I have a lot of sympathy for people who wish for assisted suicide, but I would love to see Ms. Cheh pay more attention to local bread and butter issues and when there is a big important piece of legislation that affects all of us such as assisted suicide, unfold it more slowly with more scrutiny. Our councilmembers receive full time pay for part time jobs and can hole other jobs is my understanding. That's fine - but they should be focused on crime, schools, sanitation, transport for their wards and occasionally thoughtfully take on issues like this IF they have the time. - dissatisfied.

[Anonymous]

Do you even hear yourself? There are people caught in a suffering state and legally unable to end their pain. But you think that your proximity to a homeless shelter is a greater burden.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I hear myself. I said I was sympathetic. That doesn't mean I agree with this bill . In a historical church city like DC I think there are probably many who are sympathetic but would want a bill like this to have a full vetting. I feel like DC is becoming an experiment city for different causes - minimum wage increase, pot legalization (I voted for it , but really had to deliberate) giving WalMart a hard time, small shelters just because, and meanwhile we have transport woes horrible utilities and tons of really difficult to reach homeless camped in bus shelters , shrinking police force , plus our always in need of attention schools. I would like to see more bread and butter issues addressed routinely by councilmembers, and issues like this unrolled thoughtfully with full discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I hear myself. I said I was sympathetic. That doesn't mean I agree with this bill . In a historical church city like DC I think there are probably many who are sympathetic but would want a bill like this to have a full vetting. I feel like DC is becoming an experiment city for different causes - minimum wage increase, pot legalization (I voted for it , but really had to deliberate) giving WalMart a hard time, small shelters just because, and meanwhile we have transport woes horrible utilities and tons of really difficult to reach homeless camped in bus shelters , shrinking police force , plus our always in need of attention schools. I would like to see more bread and butter issues addressed routinely by councilmembers, and issues like this unrolled thoughtfully with full discussion.

I don't see how it is "rushed". Is a bill supposed to meander around for three or so years before it gets passed? Is that "full vetting"? Guess what, she introduced it in January of 2015. So we are more than half of the way through the slow crawl through the political system.

The law is based on the law in Oregon. This Oregon law has been in effect for almost ten years now plus there are four other states with similar laws on the books, so there is a decade of data on its effects. Half the legislatures in the country are considering it right now. And

And yet you feel like it is rushed. The fact that you recently became aware of it and are not really up to date on what it says does not mean that it is rushed. It means you have some catching up to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I hear myself. I said I was sympathetic. That doesn't mean I agree with this bill . In a historical church city like DC I think there are probably many who are sympathetic but would want a bill like this to have a full vetting. I feel like DC is becoming an experiment city for different causes - minimum wage increase, pot legalization (I voted for it , but really had to deliberate) giving WalMart a hard time, small shelters just because, and meanwhile we have transport woes horrible utilities and tons of really difficult to reach homeless camped in bus shelters , shrinking police force , plus our always in need of attention schools. I would like to see more bread and butter issues addressed routinely by councilmembers, and issues like this unrolled thoughtfully with full discussion.

I agree with Op. Mary Cheh does seem to be on some track to make herself a national name, ala the next Nancy P. With respect to San Francisco, it used to be a lovely city. Yes, it had it's problems but what has happened there in the last decade is tragic. We used to visit the city two, three times a year, won't go near it now. Miss the old, wonderful days of San Francisco before it became a social experiment gone bad.

[Anonymous]

There is a lot of rushed, behind the doors, secrecy on the Council these days. Seems to trickle down from our Mayor's office, not the most transparent one we have had to date. And why is Cheh spending more time on the police shortage, of wait, it doesn't affect her part of town.

[Anonymous]

Why is a years long processed "rushed"? Because you didn't know about it? It was in WaPo over a year ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is a years long processed "rushed"? Because you didn't know about it? It was in WaPo over a year ago.

who has bee given the opportunity to weigh in? Will it go to the ballot like the pot bill? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Why shouldn't the homeless life in pleasant surroundings? You do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why shouldn't the homeless life in pleasant surroundings? You do.

When did I say the homeless could not live in pleasant surroundings? but let me ask, why should the poor (like me once upon a time) live in unpleasant surroundings? your question does not make sense to me to be honest. But yes, I would rather that Cheh and her ilk tackle homelessness in a thoughtful, efficient and transparent way first before moving on to national issues like right to die. We have long term homeless living in bus stops up and down all our main boulevards and neighborhoods - if we're going to do this homeless response, let's do it. As to dignified death...an alarming number of people have died this year in DC who did not choose it. I would like to see more Council hours on the spike in violence and the coordinated political police response.