John Marron
417 S. 14th St.
Bradenton, FL 34207
St.
Petersburg Times Letters to the Editor
P.O.
Box 1211
St.
Petersburg, FL 33731
Dear
Editor,
I
am writing this letter to voice my concern about the intrusion of the conservative
groups who would use the state (or it seems any other means possible, including
breaking the law) to impose their values on the personal, well reasoned, and
court supported attempts to end the suffering of Theresa Schaivo
as well as that of her husband.
My
initial concern developed when I learned of several doctor evaluations that
deemed Mrs. Schaivo to be in a completely irreversible vegetative state.
In addition to this, her husband, Michael Schaivo,
explained that it had been one of her wishes to not be kept alive in a vegetative
state if she were ever to fall into such a state. It is my opinion and experiences
that a spouse is far more likely to be in tune with the other's beliefs, values,
and attitudes about life. Because Mrs. Schaivo never
placed her feelings about these issues in writing, the word of Michael Schaivo would be the word I would trust. There has been no
indication of malicious intent by Michael Schaivo
and nothing at all was to be gained by the loss of his wife.
The
actions of the previously mentioned conservative groups go against one of
the highest held principles in our country: autonomy,
i.e. the right to control the outcome of one's own life. The State has no
place making decisions to control the life of one of its citizens, if that
person has not done a criminal act, though in general these same conservatives
support capital punishment. It is ironic that autonomy for business activity
is a very high value in conservative circles but not autonomy for this most
private decision. Another example of the hypocrisy of the conservative position
regarding autonomy is that when it comes to making decisions concerning religious
beliefs in this secular state, conservatives apparently feel it is most necessary
for the government to become involved, therefore contradicting a separation
of church and state.
It does not matter whether or not I believe Theresa Schaivo' s feeding tube should have been removed. What matters to me is that the control over the situation should have remained with her husband. Autonomy should continue to be upheld as the most important principle in our country.
Sincerely,