The Schiavo case, currently being tossed back and forth in Congress like the political football it is, appears to highlight the issue of an individuals right to life - and the rights of families vis-a-vis the government. There's also the issue of the powers of the Legislature vs. the Judiciary vs. the Executive vs. the States....
I don't claim to be an expert in any of these areas, but it seems to me that what we have here is a perfect example of obfuscation. A philosophical shell game. Where is the real issue?
Our government tries to be all things to all people. Of course, the people who benefit most from the governments actions are the members of government. Next come the corporate fat cats, and the military. Anyone not a member of one of these elite groups has to hope that the trickle down theory is actual fact and believe in the tooth fairy, or become a counter-culture radical.
Terri Schiavo is a tragic victim of circumstances beyond her control. But what makes her case so important that the entire U.S. government must take part in deciding her fate? Why is the President so concerned about this individual? There are many tens of thousands of people on feeding tubes, just like Terri Scaivo. Why does this case - as tragic as it is - merit such special attention ?
The president signed special legislation, backed by the congress, that would prevent Schiavo's feeding tube from being removed. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee said, "It is a unique bill passed under unique circumstances that should not serve as a precedent for future legislation." If that's true, it means that congress is now in the business of passing laws which only protect the rights of one person at a time. In fact, those who wrote and signed this bill know that it will have significant impact on the future of the right-to-life debate.
Maybe they think that by declaring a brain dead woman worthy of the right to life in legal terms, they can legally justify prohibiting abortion for embryos who have yet to display any brain function. Or maybe they think that by focusing on this one pathetic individual, they can distract themselves and the nation from the much more serious issues of poverty, ecology and, ironically, health care.
It is quite astounding that the subject of the enormous financial resources being pumped into the Schiavo case are rarely mentioned in the press. The average citizen in her situation would never have such resources at their disposal. Part of what makes this case 'news' is the enormous ongoing court battle between Terri's husband, Michael Schiavo, and her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, but I think this is case where the real story should be the 'news behind the news'.
Who are these people ???
``Why are they being allowed to hijack the government for their own selfish needs ???
Remember, the Congress and the President have stated that their legislation is written specifically to NOT set a precedent that will impact other cases...so they say...
And President Bush says he's worried about frivolous lawsuits driving up medical costs. Now he seems to have forgotten his pledge to defend the sanctity of marriage as well; Shouldn't this be between a husband and wife? What rights do parents have to intervene and then get the President to intervene on their behalf? Not to mention keeping 'big government' out of people's lives.
We all have the right to life. But I wonder weather the government let the Schiavos and the Shindlers life for the rest of us.
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