The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 3 of 10)

The Democrats have become the perfect reflection of Orwell's nightmares. Everything they say in public is the exact opposite of what they truly want, or intend to do. Blind worship of "reproductive freedom" has meant death for over 30 million unborn children since 1973. Now they're setting they're sights on the disabled; in 2005, Democrat "compassion" is expressed as intentional starvation of those who can't fend for themselves.

Murder of the unborn is already commonplace. Newborn infants, like Terry Schiavo, are also unable to feed or care for themselves. What's next? Follow the trend.

p>What are the limits of depravity that this Democratic Party won't support? br> -- Gavin Valle br> Peapack, New Jersey /p>

As much as I agree with your article, it is also too short sighted. To steal a line from Neil Cavuto, "A government compassionate enough to save a life is also powerful enough to legally snuff it out." For all the nobleness of what Congress did it is just one more intrusion into the private lives of citizens.

Do I advocate that Terri should be allowed to die? No. I too desire a fight for life. But quite honestly looking at the Barney Franks of the world as the specter of indecency is looking in the wrong place for guidance. To infer that doing not what Mr. Franks desires does not necessarily mean that is the right course either. In this case, we have a man (Mr. Schiavo) who in a sense has already abandoned Terri, parents who wish to care for Terri, and a court system that should not have interfered. Mr. Schiavo should have recognized from the beginning, that by his actions since the accident, his standing was not pure. He should have legally divorced Terri so as to restore the parents standing in this situation. This I believe was the proper course.

So what to do? Well we can't legislate stupidity or malice out of human beings. That has been proven not to work. But as citizens, by our collective actions, we could prevent such circuses in the future. We could individually institute living wills to forestall the court dragging that Terri has suffered. We can elect representatives that understand the issue is personal are reserved to the individual(s). Now such a recommendation has peril. There will always be spouses not acting in the best interests of the other spouse. But such situations are generally rare. But such inviolate social and legal rules are probably the only defense of the individual over the State in such matters.

p>But I am afraid that for all the noble truth that Congress legislated under this past Sunday it is ultimately dangerous. For what happened was the enablement of the State into the most personal of matters. This time for the good. But the avenue having been paved, there is no guarantee that such powers don't turn down the off ramp to Groningen. br> -- John McGinnis br> Arlington, Texas /p>

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