Steve Baron
By Steve Baron
We usually think of zealots as overseas-based extremists and fanatics rarely seen here in New Zealand.
But I'm starting to wonder if New Zealand has been invaded by these zealots -- religious zealots, political zealots, environmental zealots.
I write an article for the Wanganui Chronicle about voluntary euthanasia, about having the choice to get help to end my own life if I am suffering from a terminal illness (and likely to die within six months), and for the right of all New Zealanders to have a say whether we accept this proposed new law in a referendum.
Nek minnit, it seems like I have almost every religious zealot in the country commenting on my Facebook page and trying to come up with all sorts of wild arguments that would deny me what I believe to be my basic human right -- to end my life humanely.
In addition, being election time, I'm confronted on a regular basis by all the party-political zealots who don't really care about what I want in a political system; they don't care that I want more than just two ticks every three years at an election.
They are quick to rubbish any calls for some real democracy in the form of Swiss-styled direct democracy -- but, of course, they beg me to vote for them.
These zealots only worship their own political ideology. All I have to do is vote for them and their party and I can then just sit back and leave the country's problems in their capable hands -- it's called democracy, you know, and we have a so-called referendum every three years to decide if we want Tweedledum or Tweedledumber.
Well, I have an honours degree in political science, have spent more hours watching and reading about Parliament than most, have stood for Parliament, have written books about democracy and been a member of most political parties at some point -- and I have very little faith in these party-political zealots.
Like 25 per cent of New Zealanders, I will find it hard to even vote at this election because the system we have is fatally flawed and has failed us (especially when it comes to free votes in Parliament). I do not want to prop up a system I do not believe in by voting for them.
As if that's not enough, I go down to the River Traders' market on Saturday morning only to be hounded by an environmental zealot demanding I sign a petition about single-use plastic bags. And it is inferred I must be some kind of idiot for refusing to sign the petition.
Well, I like my plastic bags and they are not single-use. I use them all twice -- the second time as rubbish bin liners.
If people are so worried about our environment, they might give up eating meat. The majority of greenhouse gases driving climate change are produced by animal agriculture and the desire to eat meat.
Granted, I was a bit slow to the cause and only gave up meat in recent years. And, if I am being totally honest, it was only in recent years that I started with regular trips to the recycling centre in Maria Place. But I am doing my bit now and trying to save the planet.
Alas, there seems to be no stopping some of these zealots. They rely on quotes from their bibles and their long-dead political leaders; they lead the real issue off on tangents that suit their cause, but rarely do they think for themselves.
Of course, they believe their arguments are based on the truth and reason, but really they just want to force their belief system on each of us.
I will make up my own mind, based on logic and independent thought until the day death unexpectedly takes me, or I choose to end it on my own terms.
Steve Baron is a Whanganui-based political commentator, author and founder of Better Democracy NZ. He holds degrees in economics and political science.