Breech of Trust?

Recent Republican success has been built largely upon the migration of social conservatives from that other Party into the GOP. These successes have been so sweeping that Republicans now control the White House and both houses of Congress by sizeable majorities. Republicans have also had success at the state level, including the state of Florida, where likewise, Republicans control both houses of the state legislature comfortably and the Governor's mansion. Based on this information, one could safely assume that life, the core issue for many Republican voters, would be protected. Right?

Not so. To the contrary, Terri Schiavo, a woman who suffered severe brain damage, likely a result of spousal abuse, is now being starved to death. Contrary to many news reports, Schiavo is not in a persistent vegetative state. She can respond to light, family members, and music. She has no fatal disease. Doctors who wish to treat her to improve her condition have been prevented from doing so by court order. Her husband was likely abusive, and a tyrant in a robe has denied her the right to representation in court, ruled evidence such as the videos on the site linked above inadmissible, and violated federal law with a ruling today to prevent Terri from appearing before a congressional committees. Today, her feeding tube was removed, and the starvation and dehydration process has begun.

This painful death sentence of a woman who has committed no crime has taken place on the watch of two Republican legislatures and two Republican executives. Individuals involved, such as Sen. Enzi, have made attempts to save her, but in both the Florida and federal legislatures, disputes between the two houses have resulted in no legislation being passed. With the exception of terse, scattered statements, the executives' silence has been deafening as well. Whether by private bill or broader legislation, elected officials have a responsibility to act now to defend one of their citizens. If they fail to do so, one can't help but ask the question, "What good is it to have Republicans in office?" I wish them luck finding an answer that will satisfy us.