I'm voting for …
Re Ontario Election, Part 4: For A Conservative Minority (online, June 6): The Globe's editorial board – while very balanced and professional in its election analysis – has taken the cheap way out.
How does one vote for a minority government? Should we co-ordinate with our neighbours so that some of us vote PC, but not too many of us? Do we balance percentage and MPP seats to send just the right message?
In other words, The Globe has avoided making the hard decision all of us Ontarians have to make by inventing a choice that does not actually exist.
Thanks for nothing.
Adam Green, Ottawa
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You must be kidding. Has The Globe learned nothing since it endorsed Stephen Harper? We've all seen how the Harper Tories did when we gave them the chance to "moderate and mature." Now you want us to give the Hudak Tories the same chance? No thanks.
Nicholas Martin, Toronto
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Tempted to slap the Liberals' wrists on June 12 by voting for another party, during the leaders' debate I suddenly saw myself reading The Globe over breakfast on Friday the 13th and exclaiming, "What have I done!"
The havoc these other guys would cause in the next four years would make the gas plants fade into insignificance.
Elections are not like hiring a CEO or a cleaner you can fire at any time. Hire Tim Hudak or Andrea Horwath for four person years (Hudak math)? By those calculations, Kathleen Wynne seems the much safer choice.
Ian McCallum, Richmond Hill, Ont.
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Andrea Horwath is presenting the electorate with a platform that is progressive, yet sensible. Like a responsible party should, the NDP has expanded its platform to reflect the realities of our times, while staying true to its core values. It is fascinating that since the election was called, the mainstream media have been hypercritical of the NDP and its platform. They have cut Ms. Horwath no slack, while the Liberals have been given all sorts of room to wiggle between their promises and their actual record.
I've voted Liberal my entire life. However, I won't be gullible this time. This time, I'm voting NDP.
Steve Garrison, Kingston
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Rights to die for
Re Assisted Suicide: Context Is Everything (June 6): The "slippery slope" argument is valid; any changes in the law must take it into consideration.
The comment I found particularly troubling, however, was: "I'm prepared that a few might suffer more than they can bear, rather than countenance in the name of some kind of generosity of spirit the active taking of a life."
Surely we can't allow anyone to "suffer more than they can bear" because it may be difficult to come up with appropriate rules.
I hope I will never be in the care of a physician with Dr. Harvey Schipper's perspective if I am ever suffering more than I can bear.
Ian McQueen, Sherwood Park, Alta.
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By relating assisted suicide to the extermination of Jews by the Nazis, Dr. Harvey Schipper suggests a motive that is both reprehensible and totally at variance with the intent and purpose of the assisted suicide legislation passed by Quebec last week, as well as the two private member's bills recently introduced by MP Steven Fletcher.
Harvie Cocks, Ottawa
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Those of us who want the right to die with dignity do not want physicians like Harvey Schipper to compromise their faith, their values or their right to choose not to assist us to end our own lives.
We just want them to give up their power to deny our right to choose when we have had enough of meaningless suffering.
Theron Kramer, Kitchener, Ont.
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Price of sex
It costs an estimated $113,000-plus per year to incarcerate a prisoner in Canada. I do not want the Conservatives to spend my tax money putting people in prison for buying sex.
They should let their new prostitution bill be studied to death and die on the order paper.
James Bradley, Lethbridge, Alta.
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It's never right
Re 'Sometimes It's Right': Rape Remark Provokes Mass Outrage (June 6): This article sums up the attitude toward women among the masses in India.
As long as the woman causes no demands and remains disposable, she is called a goddess. But the minute she asserts herself, she is to be put in her place – and all those who support her are outcast as well.
The comment by a member of the Modi government that rape can sometimes be "right" and that boys will be boys just goes to show that the attitudes toward women are so far gone that even being in public life brings no sense of responsibility toward a matter as serious as this one is to any country, let alone one that is trying to progress.
Malti Mahajan, Toronto
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Off the eh-list?
As a Canadian farmer, I am very disappointed to see that Tim Hortons (which has wrapped itself in the Maple Leaf) is sourcing its oil from overseas (Perils Of Palm Oil Put Tim Hortons Under Fire – Re-port on Business, June 6). Thank you for making us aware of this.
Jordan Hokanson, Edmonton
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Fallen Mounties
As a Mountie's wife, the events of Moncton have moved me in a way I cannot describe. I wrote this hoping some will find solace in it.
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At some point in their lives, all Mounties say an oath. They smile, shake hands and say, "Send me to my post." And off they go, from coast to coast, with their families in tow. They set up roots in your hometown, they're people you get to know.
It's easy with the day-to-day to forget what it is they do; sure there are tickets and some coffee breaks, but if you only knew. When you pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1, the men and women who answer are someone's partner, someone's son.
When we see them off to work, we know it's good, it's right. We quiet down the voice that says "Please God, bring them home tonight."
Then comes the fateful day, "Two hurt, three Mounties dead." And all those fears and feelings come rushing to your head.
You feel your own heart break, you see their anguish bared. You want to take the pain away and not let on you're scared.
You know that they signed up for this, you've made your own personal vow – you will stand by them and prepare yourself for "business as usual," but how?
And then you remember their promise, the commitment and the pride. You know that they are meant for this, that they lead precious lives.
Take a moment and remember, the remarkable job that's done. Think of all the men and women lost and those who carry on. Then continue with your lives, for it's why they do the job; you and I are safe and sound – and to me, that's worth our love.
Elise McClain, Vancouver