New poll shows Americans were misled about Terri Schiavo's condition: CWA

Washington D.C., Apr 7, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The results of a recent poll, which accurately described Terri Schiavo’s health condition, demonstrate that 80 percent of Americans are opposed to the removal of food and water from disabled people.

This week’s Zogby Poll asked: "If a disabled person is not terminally ill, not in a coma, and not being kept alive by life support, should or should they not be denied food and water?"

Only 7 percent said people in this condition should be denied, while 80 percent said they should not be denied food and water.

Given that the survey question accurately describes Schiavo’s health condition, these findings can be applied to her case to show that 80 percent of Americans are in fact opposed to Judge George Greer’s decision that ordered the removal of the 41-year-old’s feeding tube, March 18, says Concerned Women for America (CWA).  

The poll included the question: "Michael Schiavo has had a girlfriend for 10 years and has two children with her. Considering this, do you agree or disagree that Michael Schiavo should have turned guardianship of Terri over to her parents?"

The majority, 56 percent, agreed that Michael Schiavo should have turned over Terri's guardianship to her parents; 35 percent disagreed.

The respondents were also asked: "Do you agree or disagree that it is proper for the federal government to intervene when basic civil rights are being denied?" Seventy-three agreed; 19 percent disagreed.

The new poll also sharply contradicts findings from earlier polls, says the CWA.

"As Judge George Greer openly flouted Congress' subpoena, and the Florida Senate rejected emergency legislation, Americans appeared to be saying that they were okay with Terri's unjust treatment," said Robert Knight, director of CWA's Culture & Family Institute.

“Yet, when Americans are given accurate information, the polling comes out quite different,” he said.