Hustler Articles

THE MANY IRONIES OF TERRY SCHIAVO

How ironic! The Republican Party, the political entity that supposedly stands for less government intrusion, called an extraordinary session of Congress just to meddle in the affairs of a single American family. Despite Terri Schiavo's 15 years of medical care, the diagnosis by multiple doctors that the woman was in a "persistent vegetative state" and a full review in the courts, right-wing Republicans pushed through legislation revealing their intent to micro-manage our lives. Yours. Mine. Everyone's. Today on the right-to-die issue. Tomorrow? Well, there's just no telling.

Add to this yet another irony: When Congress voted on Terri Schiavo, right-wing GOPers also attempted to cut $15 billion from Medicaid. That would mean less medical care for citizens like Terri Schiavo. Likewise, a portion of her prolonged care had been paid for with money from a malpractice suit, something that the Bush Administration will make all but impossible with proposed tort reform.

But the ironies don't end there. The Republicans' attempt to force Michael Schiavo to keep his wife alive stands in stark contrast to a Texas law signed in 1999 by George W. Bush, then the state's governor. That law turns over such decision-making to doctors, regardless of what the patient's family wants. While Congress was sanctimoniously trying to keep Terri Schiavo alive, Sun Hudson—a poor black kid with underdeveloped lungs—was taken off a respirator and allowed to die despite his parents' objection. Not to put too fine of a point on this: Only the rich are protected in Texas.

Finally, there's this ultimate irony: Tom DeLay, who led the charge when Congress inserted itself between Michael Schiavo and his wife, did not hesitate to unplug his own father from life support 16 years ago. Republicans say they want to keep big government out of our affairs. When are they going to practice what they preach?

Larry Flynt
Publisher,
HUSTLER Magazine

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