As governor of Texas in 1999, George W. Bush signed into law a statute that allows hospitals to withdraw
life support from patients over the objections of the family, if the physicians consider the treatment not to be beneficial
and especially if the family can't pay. At least two families in Texas have fought this law.
Where are the voices of President Bush and Republican legislators in these cases? Perhaps they are silent
because Texas Republicans approved this statute and President Bush signed the law allowing the life-giving care to be withdrawn.
If one delves further into the motivations for the Terri Schiavo situation, we find an unsigned memo (obtained by ABC News)
sent to Republicans urging their involvement for the following reasons: "the pro-life base will be excited," and that it is
a "great political issue ... a tough issue for Democrats." No concern for Terri Schiavo personally was
expressed as a motivation.
It is not uncommon for the GOP to demagogue on the morality of a high-profile case on the one hand, while
simultaneously gutting programs that benefit similarly afflicted individuals on the other. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay
is particularly guilty of hypocrisy in this regard. Despite the refusal of some Republicans to accept the deep cuts President
Bush made to Medicaid, DeLay favors a bill that would cut Medicaid even further than Bush's proposed budget.
Terri Schiavo is at least in part supported by Medicaid funds, as are hundreds of thousands of people with
disabilities, serious health conditions and terminal illnesses. The professed regard for life (and the living) suddenly appears
much less authentic when one considers the consequences of these GOP policy decisions.
Sean Gallagher, Upper St. Clair
Leaving no doubt
Although I have a living will, I am alarmed by the Republican grandstanding taking place over Terri
Schiavo, who has been in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years ("Schiavo's Tube Out Despite Congress," March 19). These politicians seem to consider it necessary to monitor our bedrooms, classrooms and hospital beds,
but consider it intrusive to monitor industrial pollution, gas mileage and automobile emissions.
I therefore want to announce publicly that should doctors ever diagnose me as being in a permanent vegetative
state or in a hopeless coma, I do not wish to be kept alive with artificially administered nutrition and hydration -- not
for 15 months or even 15 days.
All Pennsylvania citizens who share this wish should probably inform Sens. Rick Santorum and Arlen
Specter immediately.
Carol Hamilton, Shadyside
The government has gone too far in the Schiavo case
I am writing in response to Dennis Roddy's March 20 column "Starving for the Truth" in regard to Terri Schiavo, the woman in Florida whose feeding tube was removed March 18. I am a registered nurse and I
feel it is a tragedy that this woman's so-called life is front-page news. I feel for her family and her husband, both parties
doing what they feel is right.
Unfortunately, it has turned into a media circus and then our government gets involved. I don't believe
anyone with a "flawed life" should be eliminated from society. Every situation is different, and these are muddy waters that
everyone is treading on. No one can say for certain if Terri Schiavo would have wanted to have lived this way. If anyone has
visited a nursing home I am sure you felt inclined to draw up a living will as soon as you left the facility.
That being said, our government has gone too far. Everyone has a soapbox on the issue, but no one is willing
to fork over any money and start a trust fund for all the hospice care she is receiving. Government officials are so worried
about her living that they forgot that the government program that is keeping her alive in the hospice might be cut in their
new budget. Medicaid is what pays for long-term care, and the states are all suffering because of increased costs.
This has become a political ploy for our government and politicians' right-wing conservative thinking to
try to "protect life." Well, these officials need to take a long hard look: More than 60 percent of people polled feel the
government has gone too far -- and next year is an election year.
Susan Harrison Kelly, Collier
Individual quality
The quality of life issues concerning the Terri Schiavo case have compelled me to express my opinion. I
am appalled that this woman has been made part of a "circus" struggle among family members. This is about a woman who cannot
speak for herself, and her best interests must be first and foremost. The federal courts have no business being involved in
this case.
The ramifications of this case will affect every family in this country caring for a disabled person --
and that includes me as the mother of a son who requires total care. Who decides what quality means to my son? He enjoys the
simple things of life, and that includes eating by mouth. I refused a feeding tube for him more than two decades ago. It was
a good decision, more so with the issues surrounding the Schiavo case.
There are many details that are not known or reported about this particular case. I do not want to be judgmental
about any family member. Perhaps if you can walk a mile in my shoes, you can understand.
The medical community might have its "facts" about what quality of life means, but few understand what the
spirit and soul of an individual means. That includes people who are considered less than perfect in a less-than-perfect world.
Fay Corey, Point Breeze
Delaying her journey
Christianity teaches that life is sacred and that we must protect life and preserve life. Christianity also
teaches that after death, we may receive the ultimate reward and join the Creator in heaven.
Now some Christians who know that Terri Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state and has no life to speak
of here on Earth would deny her passage to be with God until her body is utterly destroyed by atrophy and age. Is this a toll
to pay, or the ultimate paradox in yet another mystical religion that enjoys the membership of millions who would rather see
revenge exacted on murderers by having them executed, passionately sending them to a place they call hell, while Ms. Schiavo
lies waiting for permission to begin the journey to paradise?
Perhaps if we could convict Ms. Schiavo of a terrible crime, she could then enjoy such revenge. And if only
Congress could have voted by secret ballot, then we would see members of that body vote their conscience, instead of their
re-election chances.
David Marks, Duquesne
Out of hand
First let me say that my comments are coming from a mother and grandmother. I cannot say whether the feeding
tube should or shouldn't be reinserted in Terri Schiavo. I can say that this matter has gotten out of hand. It should be between
Mrs. Schiavo, her family and her doctors. It now is a media circus. Where do we go from here?
Betsy Raget, Greenfield
