Medical aid in dying is compassionate
Reading Thomas Nagle’s commentary on the right to medical aid in dying (“Florida’s double standard on the right to medical aid in dying,” Sept. 2) touched a chord in me. We don’t let our pets suffer when they are seriously ill. We say — or used to say — people have freedom of choice. Why is it that when someone is in pain, suffering with an illness from which they will never recover, they are not allowed to do that in the way they choose? No one is forced to make that choice, but those who do should be able to have the help needed to ease their transition.
My mother had ALS. It was a totally debilitating disease which would have left her mentally alert but a physical vegetable. She was unable to get any help as the disease progressed and so made her own decision to end her life. Because she was already so weak it didn’t take much. She was, however, sadly alone. I wish I had been with her, but she couldn’t even tell me what she was doing for fear I would get in trouble.
Whatever happened, as Nagle said, to “compassion and freedom”? Florida, home of many senior citizens and, as elsewhere, people suffering serious illnesses, needs to recognize this is the time to demonstrate humanity.
Maggie O’Connell Orlando
Orange GOP is insular, ineffective
Tuesday night’s results in the Florida special election for State House District 40 and State Senate District 15 prove one thing: The Orange County GOP has been reduced to just three meaningful votes — State Committeeman, State Committeewoman, and the Orange County Republican chairperson. Those are the only votes that matter to the Republican Party of Florida (“Democrats Bracy Davis, Young win seats in Orange,” Sept. 3).
Partisan school board races? Impossible to win in Orange County as a Republican.
Partisan elections of any kind? Impossible to win in Orange County.
Even nonpartisan contests? Nearly impossible to win in Orange County.
Why? Because Republican voter registration has not been a priority for decades.
Yes, changing demographics have shifted the numbers across Central Florida. But the truth is, Republicans once could always be counted on for turnout. Not anymore. Whether in municipal, county or state elections, the turnout just isn’t there.
As a Republican, I can’t say I’m angry or even disappointed at Democrat victories. Unlike conservatives, they rally and unite. I don’t see much in the Democratic agenda worth celebrating — but they are undeniably superb organizers.
Meanwhile, in Orange County, the Republican Party is run by 100 to 150 insiders in the Orange County Republican Executive Committee. If that’s the size of the “tent,” then Republicans will keep losing here. The only path forward is to grow, expand, and open the doors wide to build real strength again.
Until then, Orange County Republicans will remain irrelevant at the ballot box.
Randy Ross Orlando
Randy Ross is a former Republican candidate for Orlando city commissioner.
Leaving party could wake up the GOP
Republicans generally care about personal and fiscal responsibility and about the rule of law. Many, however, are alarmed by some of President Donald Trump’s policies. He wants to roll back environmental protections, gerrymander voting districts, and put tariffs on needed imports. We can pray that the U.S. Supreme Court will limit the president’s power grab. We can beg Congress to insist that the president adhere to his constitutional obligation to carry out its laws. We can even hope that more centrist Republicans will run for office in the midterm election next year.
While the chance of any of those actions succeeding is uncertain, there is something that Republicans can do today that should help: they can change their party affiliation. Florida voters have the right to select from numerous political parties or they can choose no party affiliation (NPA). A mass exodus from the Republican Party, even a temporary one, will send a powerful message to party leaders that they are taking this country down the wrong path. It will also encourage principled would-be candidates to gear-up now to run in 2026. In Florida, a change in party affiliation can be made online at any time, at no cost, and as often as the voter wants. Just know that to vote in a party primary, the voter must be a member of that party 29 days before the election.
Sometimes we vote with our feet or our wallet. Now is the time to vote with party affiliation.
Jane Hepting Eustis
You can submit a letter to the editor by sending it by email to insight@orlandosentinel.com or by filling out the form below. Letters are limited to less than 250 words and must be signed (no pseudonyms nor initials).You must include your email address, address with city and daytime phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.
