It's All Just A Front
Why Bush Doesn't Really Care About Terri Schaivo
Story by Kefing Aperto-Berry

The whole country is up in arms ever since President Bush stepped in the middle of the Terri Schiavo case. Before it got spotlighted in the news, nobody cared, including Bush. Bush is just trying to appeal to the country as a compassionate leader. The truth is, it's all for show.

George Bush Jr. cannot get re-elected after he finishes his second term in office, but he can still pave the way for the Republican's agenda for the future. In order for this to happen he needs to jump on certain opportunities at the right time. Terri Schiavo's ordeal, with being brain dead and possibly being taken off life support, is just what the doctor ordered. Politicians will do whatever is necessary to further their particular party's agenda, and Bush is not about to break that tradition.

Can he be serious? Bush is fighting for one woman while he is commanding U.S. soldiers to kill at will overseas. How can the President be serious about protecting the “quality of life” when soldiers are still dying in Iraq from both sides and we're still not pulling out? With the war still going on, Bush's image has become tainted to say the least. Bush claims he is concerned about securing the quality of life, but only when it Republicans agenda up and running.

The conservative right believes that everyone should live, and they condemn abortion. It is easy to make the connection between Bush's sudden interest in the Terri Schiavo case and the Republicans beliefs around abortion. Bush is just trying to gain more control over private, once personal, decisions like pulling the plug. This prepares the grounds for the government to infringe upon other private decisions like abortion.

Terri Schiavo's husband Michael Schiavo and her parents Mary and Bob Schindler have been battling about Terri's fate since she became brain dead in early 1990. She has been on life support for over a decade and the insurance that has been paying to keep her alive has recently run out. Michael Schiavo says that his wife requested that if things ever got really bad to pull the plug. But Terri's parents believe she is responsive and slowly making progress. The question for us the public is not about the fate of Terry, but rather, where do we draw the line on the control the government has concerning our loved ones?

By Bush stepping in the middle of this situation he has made it more of a circus than anything else. The legislation he and the Republicans made will that pushes the case to federal court will inevitably stall the process of Terri Schiavo being taken off life support. What gives the government the right to play God and say when someone should pass away? Bush's involvement in the case may put Terri Schiavo through more pain than it's really worth.

A person's life hangs in the balance, while separate parties debate over the best possible solution for Terri Schiavo. When it is all said and done will Terri Schiavo be happy that Bush stepped in to give her more time to live or will she be upset that she was not taken off of life support quickly?   Bush should have never involved himself in the personal affairs of the Schiavo's, it goes against everything freedom of choice is suppose to stand for.