Posted on 03/29/2005 2:11:48 PM PST by AmericanInTokyo
What happened? Hello? Hello? Anybody home?
By Governor-elect Jeb Bush
"Talking with a variety of Floridians with disabilities and their families has helped understand a lot more about the lives, challenges and dreams of those with disabilities. However, I know that my education continues with everyone new I meet.
People with disabilities are no different than anyone else. They want to work, have families, and live independently. As Governor, I would work hard to create an environment that gives people with disabilities every opportunity to be independent and play an active role in their communities and in our State.
My first experiences with disability issues were visiting with adults and children with developmental disabilities, their families, advocates, and providers.
I have been impressed by the differences between persons with these disabilities who remain in their homes, receiving community-based support services and similar persons living primarily in institutional or large residential facilities. What I observe is not just a difference in expression, it's a difference in the way they act, how they respond, how they interact with the people around them, how they look, how they talk, and probably in how they will face life with its opportunities and challenges.
I am convinced that, whenever possible, Floridians with disabilities should be able to remain in their communities with their families, friends or roommates and receive the support services they require.
That way, their lives are enriched and they continue to enrich the lives of their families, friends and communities. Of course, in cases of severe and profound disabilities, there may be no option other than a dedicated residential facility. That choice should be preserved.
In order for individuals to be able to live at home or on their own, there must be an excellent, responsive network of support services available to assist them and their families. Funding needs to be shifted to provide the full range of these services. In turn, more individuals can be served and with a broader range of services, such as transportation or respite care that have often been unavailable in the past.
As Governor, I will work to allow individuals with disabilities and/or their families to have more say about what services and necessary treatments are provided, based on each person's professionally identified needs.
This is a time of setting new directions in care for people with disabilities here in Florida. I have reviewed the Governor's Task Force proposal for the future of DD services and I am waiting for an independent study on the future of developmental disability services that was contracted by the Legislature and will be released shortly. Both of these will help a Bush Administration to make detailed decisions to assist individuals with disabilities. My team will also monitor Washington legislation and work with our Congressional delegation to ensure that federal initiatives are responsive to Florida's needs.
On a separate note, I also have come to realize the importance of educating the public about people with disabilities and disability issues. Too often, people react in fear or distaste when coming face-to-face with persons with disabilities. These people simply lack the necessary knowledge to understand persons with disabilities.
If elected, I will work with state agencies and disability organizations to help erase that insensitivity. If people understand more about how to interact with persons with disabilities, their fear will be diminished. That will open up more opportunities for education, employment, and participation in community life.
In addition, I will support educational programs about disabilities in our schools. Young children are especially receptive and accepting, and their understanding will help bring about changes in everyone's misconceptions about disabilities. I would also support efforts to mainstream children with disabilities whenever possible.
Finally, my Administration will support full compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This is vital, not just for the individuals themselves, but for the communities that will be enriched and blessed by their contributions and participation in community life.
I know that there are other issues that need to be addressed. The state has complex legal mandates to meet. The waiting lists need to be cut way back. The best way for me to lead on these issues is to continue to learn the people who are living those issues day-to-day, their families, and the professionals who provide the care. Let's work together to make Florida a better home for people with disabilities."
s'ok, bro. You may be a sailor but you're not all bad. (Spoken as the son of a Marine :))
Citizens don't have executive authority.
Semper fi, bro.
Just reflecting on this point more, I have to say that it strikes me as somewhat backwards. Look at the resources that would be required to save that one life. Whether or not it is accomplished, It simply cannot be replicated for all of the countless lives we lose to abortion and illegal euthanasia in this country. It's like moving a sand dune with a teaspoon.
The solution we achieve must be one that takes care of the millions in one stroke. Short of an out-and-out bloody civil war, it must be accomplished in the political arena. That means we need to clean house in the judicary and then get pro-life legislatures cracking again.
If it is, then Judge Greer has committed a crime in which he can be arrested and Jeb has that power.
If it is not a crime, then we as citizens have screwed up by electing officials to allow a law that does.
Can anyone answer if this is legal or not and provide the statute that allows a person to be starved to death?
You're spot-on, MCG.
Jeb Bush - We will never forget.
C'mon, get a life. We can work through this. That's what the FR community is all about.
Agreed. DU has never, ever been so satisfied.
"And you are either not very intelligent or very delusional"
"I'm intelligent enough to know a living breathing human being when I see one."
Ok, then you're just delusional.
And my take is..."I just don't agree that somehow sacrificing one innocent person, no matter what the political cost, is automatically going to advance the pro-life fight. I truly believe it will do the opposite". Hate to turn your argument around on you, but I don't see how "losing this battle" will get us closer to "winning the war". I just see it as losing another battle, and every lost battle is another innocent life lost.
I can actually see this thing coming back to bite the Bushes in the butt twice. It's already costing them with pro-lifers, as we can see. I also sense a movement in public opinion, especially as more moderate and liberal voices chime in. Imagine another week goes by and Terri is still clinging to life. If that wouldnt' shout I WANT TO LIVE I don't know what would. Maybe a picture of her gets leaked, showing her looking like concentration camp victim. Imagine more and more people on the other side of the aisle joining the cause, saying "ENOUGH! This is torture! We treat terrorist suspects and convicted serial killers better! This is inhumane!" Then, by the time the Bushes realize they have public support, it's too late, and everyone despises their lack of action.
The constitution of Florida allows citizens to petition their government for redress of grievances.
Are you telling me the Schindlers have no grievances?
If they take that plea to the governor, then he, as supreme executive, can take them up as is implied in the Florida Constitution. He is well within constitutional parameters.
I have a life, you, being new, have no clue about our history. FR is not about trashing each other. If you think this is what this site is about, maybe you've stumbled upon the wrong place. We are a conservative action site, we don't rip each other apart.
I'm sure they are orgasmic.
"The New Face of Medicaid"
"Seniors and Disabled are pushing the program to the breaking point"
(discussion about changes being offered to states...) "That would put tremendous pressure on states to operate the program for less. Some governors, including Jeb Bush of Florida, seem willing to make such a trade."
what a bs poster, and you should be ashamed.
This appears to be an obvious circumvention of the courts. Is that your suggestion?
Thanks for posting this -- printing out to read.
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