Who decides if we can die with dignity? By Bob Hill, Columnist to The Courier-Journal, March 22, 2005 I don't want to live that way -- in a persistent vegetative state, my head cocked sideways, my mouth open, being fed through a tube. I don't want to live that way -- all dignity gone, the object of pity, unable to talk to or hold the people I love, my family torn apart by my condition. I don't want to live that way -- the center of a political debate in which I can't participate, my minimal existence on full display nightly, the argument over my death now more important than the quality of my life. Would you want that? Would you want your life to come down to an unsigned memo passed around the nation's lawmakers designating your condition "a great political issue?" Why is it that the same people who have made a crusade of wanting government out of our lives are now making it a government crusade to keep Terri Schiavo alive? Why is it that the same people who have crusaded for minimal federal-court roles in our lives are now crusading for federal jurisdiction in the next decision over her life? Terri Schiavo has been severely brain damaged for 15 years. Doctors appointed by Florida courts say she is in a persistent vegetative state, and Florida courts have agreed with them. Her husband and legal guardian says she would not want to live in that state. Other doctors disagree with the diagnosis, and Schiavo's parents believe she can be rehabilitated. We all know of cases in which the quality of life of a friend, loved one or parent had deteriorated to the point at which the family had to decide if medical treatment should be continued. Solemnly, tearfully, that fateful decision is made between family and the medical community. The reason: He or she wouldn't have wanted to live like that. Decision becomes political It's a decision made quietly hundreds of times a day across the country. But the decision about Terry Schiavo's life -- and death -- is now totally enmeshed in the divisive and self-serving politics of our day. It's become "a great political issue." Congress stayed out until appeals to Florida courts were exhausted and the Florida legislature didn't want to become involved. Now Congress and President Bush all have become involved, drawing in conservative groups so vital to their base of support. Remember, these are the conservatives who profess to want the government to stay out of our personal decisions. So, while I'm often criticized as being a little too far left, you can put me firmly in the conservative camp on this one -- or at least those conservatives willing to remain consistent. I don't want to live that way -- in a persistent vegetative state, my head cocked sideways, my mouth open, being fed through a tube. I don't want to live that way -- all dignity gone, the object of pity, unable to talk to or hold the people I love, my family torn apart by my condition. I don't want to live that way -- the center of a political debate in which I can't participate, my minimal existence on full display nightly across the nation, the argument over my death now more important than the quality of my life. I love life, have tried to fill it up with work, family, friends and fun. If something happened that left me severely brain damaged for 15 years -- or much less -- and my wife, the doctors she trusted and the courts all agreed there was no hope, then I wouldn't want to live like that. I want to die with dignity -- and I don't want the U.S. government making that decision. Bob Hill's column runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. You can reach him at (502) 582-4646 or e-mail him at bhill@courier-journal.com. You can also read his columns at www.courier-journal.com.