Posted on 03/22/2005 4:03:02 PM PST by Crackingham
A Michigan lawmaker is working on legislation that would prohibit a spouse having an affair from denying food, fluids or medical treatment to a wife or husband who cannot make such decisions.
Rep. Joel Sheltrown on Tuesday said he wants to avoid a situation similar to Terri Schiavo's.
snip
Sheltrown, a Democrat from West Branch, said Michigan should strengthen its protections before a similar situation happens here.
"While people, in happier times, may trust their spouses to make future medical decisions for them, situations change," Sheltrown said in a statement. "In a situation where an incapacitated patient lives at the mercy of an adulterous spouse, it is in the patient's interest to make a presumption in favor of life."
Michigan law already prohibits the denial of life-sustaining treatment, such as food and water, unless the patient has expressed that such action be taken, said Sheltrown, who expects to introduce the bill in about three weeks.
Perhaps his religion permits concubines.
Not at all. This is common sense. And this isn't about moralizing; it's about protecting an incapacitated person from a spouse whose interests are adverse.
"In a situation where an incapacitated patient lives at the mercy of an adulterous spouse, it is in the patient's interest to make a presumption in favor of life."
A Democrat with the same principled statement as President Bush.
I too, see nothing stupid about it at all, BK - he is pointing out a CONFLICT OF INTEREST and doing it well.
sp
Welcome to the club my dear.
States rights, remember? Michigan is completely within their right to do this. It's not like it's the Federal Government doing it. What's the problem?
Yes. You are not the only one struggling with this issue. When is it euthanasia and when is it simply wanting God's will to prevail. I don't have the answers.
His acting in her best interest was compromised, and compromised by leaps and bounds.
As I said on another thread, he's lucky he didn't marry an Italian, because he would have been shown just who next of kin really was.
Yep. I don't see why anyone would oppose this. It's common sense.
Right. It's a good rule tailor-made for the Schiavo case.
Which is basically why it would make for bad law.
If the law read "If your name is 'Michael Schiavo' you lose guardianship.." that would work even better for the Schiavo case. But they are going to have to apply this law to cases other than those which are like the Schiavo case. And that's where there would be headaches.
Since when did that ever matter to anyone in high office?
OK, now I see'um.
Who will make the final decision..a judge?
How is adultery involved in a person being in a hospital?
OK, I'll give it to ya straight. Individuals have rights, state have powers. JMHO, acourse.
In one regard the Supreme Court recently kicked the State of Texas out of the bedroom.
Even if this is signed into law, it may not stand.
If a guy is shacking up with another woman, his interests are adverse to his ex-wife.
That this is not obvious to some is puzzling to me.
I expect you will get your wish. This nation is so ready to err on the side of death in just about any case.
How would you enforce this law. To claim this the person you are trying to save is already in the hosptial and can be no help.
Why..why that would be the Federal Government getting involved in a state issue, I thought that was bad.
""Why stop at adultery? How about having an email girlfriend, or cheating on one's taxes? How about not going to church enough, or generally just being a punk?
Grandstanding.""
You invoking logic? You got something against cathartic internet-fueled witch hunts?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.