Even after weeks of drama over the fate of Terri Schiavo – the extraordinary measure taken by the U.S. Congress, the Florida governor and Legislature’s attempts to intervene; the spectacle of protestors around the Florida hospice where Schiavo languishes – the society appears no closer to consensus about end-of-life issues than before.

Polls may show that most people believe the government has no business nosing in on such personal matters, but there are enough out there who think such intrusion is not only right but also righteous – the kind of thing that separates true believes from fakes, agnostics and atheists.

According to the die-hards, the decision to remove Terri’s feeding tube and allow her to die smacks of playing God.  They proposed, instead, to keep the severely brain-damaged woman in her pitiful state until either her organs fail on their own or God presents a miracle, which it certainly would be considering that much of Terri’s brain has disintegrated into jelly or liquid.

I, for one, believe in miracles. But God also endowed us with certain powers of our own and that, I submit, includes the power to decide when enough’s enough.  It is no more playing God to let nature take its course in ending life than it is to take pain relievers, have an operation, undergo dialysis or have Lasix surgery to sustain or prolong or improve life’s quality. Where are the “playing God” protests over Viagra, for example?

In both instances, it can be argued that God provided the curiosity and resources that led to the wisdom and the science that keeps us ticking longer or better. It is hardly playing God to take advantage of scientific discovery.

Granted, the instruments of Terri Schiavo’s demise – starvation and dehydration – seem cruel, even if she is not suffering, as some doctors insist.  But, the irony is that some of the same objectors to the feeding tube removal are responsible for the absence of a more humane method of letting her go.  Thanks to prohibitions against euthanasia, Terri could not be allowed to simply drift off into that deep sleep.

Had there been a kinder, gentler way to handle the poor woman’s end, it would have still been a wrenching decision. No parent wants to know that his or her child is dying, let alone have a hand in the process. 

The fight between Terri’s parents, the Schindlers, and her husband is the stuff of family feuds and breakdowns galore.  Even if there were proof that the woman opposed being artificially supported, it would still be a heartbreaking choice to pull the plug. The last thing anyone needs at a time like that is a political firestorm and other outside pressures from people who do not, and can not, know the nuances of family dynamics.

Again, the one conclusion the society has apparently reached is that government does not belong in matters so intensely and painfully personal.  It’s the reason abortion has remained legal despite ferocious lobbying to outlaw it; a woman’s womb is not the place for political posturing.

If only there were as much passion applied to the well being of the vitally alive.  How about a few sit-ins for quality medical care for all of those poor children with earaches and asthma whose health is still salvageable?  How about a midnight vote on Capitol Hill to give relief to senior citizens who still can’t afford life-saving prescriptions, discount card or no?

How about government putting its nose where it belongs – in public policy to benefit the common good – and keep it out of those private confines where mothers, fathers, husbands and wives – and God – know best?