In today's Dominion Post I read that John Key does not intend to change the anti-smacking law, no matter what the results of the upcoming referendum are.
Public concern has died away over this issue BECAUSE of the upcoming referendum. As a mother, I thought that the Government would to listen to me and parents like me once the results of this referendum are in. I feel that in having the referendum, democracy is working, all is good and the world and everything will turn out to be ok, not matter what the stupidity in the past over this issue.
But YOU have just flung that all back in my face, proving that you have no idea of how deeply this issue goes. You have no idea that in allowing this law to stand, I have to continue to tell my children that the law is an ass, that the Government expects parents to break this law, because it's purpose is not to ban smacking, it's to reduce violence against children. In other words, not only will the presence of this law continue to reduce everyone's respect for the law, it will also reduce respect for Parliament, who seem to feel that rather than actually dealing with actual problems, it's better to criminalise everyone in all but actuality. In other words, we are all guilty, and somehow the real abusers are going to get pulled into line by the rest of us feeling like it's wrong to smack our children.
What type of ridiculous, upsidedown logic is that supposed to be?
Related Link: Smacking poll 'won't alter law' ~ Stuff
The debate may turn out to be an expensive waste of effort for both sides, with Mr Key saying yesterday that he had no intention of changing the law regardless of the outcome of the referendum.Let me explain something to you, John.
"I think it's important that governments listen to the public, but the test I've had is that if I don't think the law is working I will change it," he said. "To date I have not seen any evidence that it is not working."
The question being asked in the referendum was ambiguous as it did not directly call for the law to be changed or repealed. The issue was of significant public concern two years ago but had died away, he said.
Public concern has died away over this issue BECAUSE of the upcoming referendum. As a mother, I thought that the Government would to listen to me and parents like me once the results of this referendum are in. I feel that in having the referendum, democracy is working, all is good and the world and everything will turn out to be ok, not matter what the stupidity in the past over this issue.
But YOU have just flung that all back in my face, proving that you have no idea of how deeply this issue goes. You have no idea that in allowing this law to stand, I have to continue to tell my children that the law is an ass, that the Government expects parents to break this law, because it's purpose is not to ban smacking, it's to reduce violence against children. In other words, not only will the presence of this law continue to reduce everyone's respect for the law, it will also reduce respect for Parliament, who seem to feel that rather than actually dealing with actual problems, it's better to criminalise everyone in all but actuality. In other words, we are all guilty, and somehow the real abusers are going to get pulled into line by the rest of us feeling like it's wrong to smack our children.
What type of ridiculous, upsidedown logic is that supposed to be?
Related Link: Smacking poll 'won't alter law' ~ Stuff