Blog #4: Terri Schiavo

The Terri Schiavo case is a tough decision morally to make, but if the family members wanted to bring it to court, then the government must get involved, but only as much as the Constitution says to. At first, Federalism faded in this case with the passing of the law by the national government that overrided the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court to preempt the state courts. But, denial by the federal district course, the federal appeals court, and the U.S. Supreme Court made the parents go back to the state courts, reaffirming both state jurisdiction and the principles of Federalism. Separation of powers is also upheld when Governor Jeb Bush denies he has the power to take custody of Terri Schiavo and reconnect her to life support, which would of unjustly surpassed the principles of the separation of powers in the state government. Overall, I think that the decision to choose between life or death should be made by the family. But since the family brought it to court, I believe that Federalism and separation of powers did its part and adhered well for the most part to the principles of Federalism.