What does it mean to be pro-life?

E. J. Dionne Jr. ponders the question of what it means to be pro-life. He brings up the point that part of Terri Schiavo’s care has been paid for by Medicaid, and President Bush and the Republican Leadership in both the House and the Senate support cutting funding to Medicaid. Also Florida Governor Jeb Bush is pushing for cuts to Medicaid despite also pushing for re-inserting Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube. If she continues to live she will need more Medicaid funding to keep her alive. When Democrats in Congress point this out Republican’s cry foul saying that the Democrats should leave poor Terri Schiavo and all the others whose medical support would be cut (and who would likely die under the Texas Law) out of any discussions of Medicaid. Excuse me? The money goes to sick people—some of whom will die if there is no way to pay for their medical treatment. Why should Democrats be prevented from bringing up the very people who will be hurt most by these cuts? The answer: Hypocrisy. It is alright to use Terri Schiavo to get Republican votes for the 2006 Mid-term Elections, but not to bring up who will be directly impacted by Medicaid cuts. If you happen to be a member of the Republican Party.