By Thom Palmer
October 13, 2016
There is one thing that both Pro-Lifers and Pro-Choicer voters have in common. Very simply, NOBODY IS PRO-ABORTION. Pro-Lifers have a hard time distinguishing between pro-choice and pro-abortion, and the left has a hard time distinguishing between pro-life and anti-women's rights.
WHAT EXACTLY IS ROE V WADE?
Norma McCorvey (Roe) versus Dallas County District Attorney Henry Wade (Wade). McCorvey claimed that she became pregnant as a result of rape, which was debunked. At the time, Texas law allowed for abortion in the case of rape. Long story short, this ended up in the Supreme Court, where in a 7-2 vote, the Justices voted in her favor, which changed the law nationwide, allowing abortion, making it legal and protected under the Constitution of the United States.
REPUBLICAN SUPREME COURT RULES
The Court issued its decision on January 22, 1973, with a 7-to-2 majority vote in favor of Roe. Republicans overwhelmingly believe this was the result of Liberal Justices, but they are WRONG. 6 of the 9 justices were appointed by Republicans, and 5 of the 6 Justices who voted in favor of protecting abortion rights were Republicans.
Justice Harry Blackburn wrote the opinion. He stated that the "Due Process Clause" protects a woman’s “liberty” from state interference, and the word “liberty” includes a woman’s personal, qualified right to have an abortion. The key to the ruling, according to the court, was that the woman DID NOT have an unfettered right to have an abortion at any stage of pregnancy. Blackburn divided pregnancy into three trimesters. In the first, a woman has an unqualified right to an abortion; in the second, the state can regulate abortions in “ways that are reasonable related to maternal health;” and in the third, the state can regulate and even prohibit abortions.
An immediate firestorm ensued, and Republicans and Democrats snapped to their corners, developing platform positions which were 180 degrees apart, with no crossover in opinion. Overturning Roe v Wade would require a 2/3 vote in the House and Senate, and then a majority decision reversing the Constitutional decision, which the Supreme Court is not ever going to be quick to do. Blogger Will Savive gives a pretty good summary in a 2013 post. Other challenges to Roe v Wade have failed. Here are some of the challenges throughout the years, layed out by Vox Nova for those interested in details, but fighting Roe v Wade is a waste of time, and for "single-issue" voters, far more of your values are sacrificed when you vote on a single issue. Focus needs to be placed on education and prevention in order to tackle abortion.
DICHOTOMY BETWEEN AND WITHIN THE PARTIES
The dichotomy is not just between the left and the right, but also within each side. How can you be pro-life yet be pro death penalty and against common sense gun background checks in a nation that murders 35,000 people per year? On the left, when a fetus is now 90% viable at 26 weeks gestation, how can it be allowed to be considered less than human, and at the same time protect endangered mice? Since the courts arbitrarily decided when a fetus is viable, scientifically, the question has not been answered. Pro-lifers believe we need to give the benefit of any doubt to the fetus. There is no shortage of perceived double standards when talking about abortion.
NOT LIKELY TO BE OVERTURNED IN THE 21st CENTURY
The majority of the nation is progressive, and with Millennials and youth becoming more and more liberal as time goes on, and with the advancements in social media, technology and liberal views steadily moving forward, it is unlikely that Republicans will ever have a super-majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, combined with a Supreme Court that will overturn a Constitutional law. This is just a fact that Republican voters need to come to terms with.
SINGLE ISSUE REPUBLICAN VOTERS
Historically Republican voters that vote solely on the abortion issue are running in place, with their feet frantically peeling out on a sea of oil, never gaining traction and never moving an inch. They do not realize that, no matter how much they wish, and no matter how many GOP lawmakers claim that they will overturn Roe v Wade, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. This leaves pro-lifers with a constant sense of failure and disappointment, and anger. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers regularly waging unnecessary wars, killing tens of thousands of American men. Their regular attempts at eliminating regulations that protect all Americans from polluted and poisoned water and air, along with the oil profiteering which inhibits the advancement of clean energy. Because of the Republican platform and their vile action against our planet (for profit), up to a billion people in low-lying coastal areas of our planet will be forced to evacuate from their homeland, more than likely by the end of this century. Thousands of species of animals will become extinct, and our oceans are at risk of becoming a cesspool of bacteria.
THE KILLING FIELDS
Our neighbors and children are murdered at alarming rates due to the gross perversion of the 2nd Amendment, which requires that people who bear arms be part of a "well regulated militia". The free-for-all carrying and use of firearms is NOT constitutional at all, yet the NRA pumps many millions of dollars into the coffers of Republican politicians in order to keep gun sales up and profits at historical highs. It's a perversion of what our Founding Fathers intended. Meanwhile, there is a growing understanding (as evident in the Trump candidacy), that fascism has grown within the GOP. I encourage all Conservatives (as well as Progressives) to read my article "FASCISM IN THE UNITED STATES" as soon as possible. Add to that the unnecessary wars waged for oil and weapons profits, which is the position of the Republican party, sends thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of foreign soldiers and civilians to their deaths every time a Republican enters the White House, and it's clear that the GOP really is only interested in right-to-life when it doesn't interfere with the profit margins of oil companies and weapons manufacturers.
THE PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT
Your odds of being conceived are estimated at 1 in 400,000,000,000,000 (one in 400 trillion). The egg and sperm beat the odds, and became a zygote (multi-celled, rapidly growing new life form). The math is pretty intense, but Dr. Ali Binazir layed it out in an article in Huffington Post back in 2008, which some of you might understand, but I struggled through algebra II, so you can give it a shot...I can only summarize, but do not claim to fully get it.
To me, being a Pro-Life Democrat does not mean that I am anti-choice. It means that I believe consciousness begins long before birth. Viability (the ability to live outside the uterus) begins prior to the 26 week with a 90% survival rate. I believe that abortion should be legal and safe, but should not be used as a method of birth control. I am sympathetic to a woman's right to choose, and stand by my party's position on the issue. I hate the whole concept of abortion, but understand the ramifications and disadvantages dropped on a woman unprepared for a child, or unwanted pregnancies along with the life-threatening danger of self aborting, which was a huge issue prior to Roe v Wade.
Being a pro-life Democrat with most of my family being religious-right and quite vocal about it, I have a pretty good perspective on the issue. What I feel they (and most) of the pro-lifers don't understand is just how much control they would have over the numbers of abortions through education and assistance for women when it comes to options and prevention.
UNITED KINGDOM
About 90% of abortions in the UK happen within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. UK Law allows abortion within the first 24 weeks, but their "guidelines" state that 12 weeks or less is recommended. Their law is based on the upper limit of survival rates of premature births. Survival rates in the UK of premature births are 24 weeks: 33.6%, 23 weeks: 19.9%, 22 weeks:9.1%. In the United States, survival rates of premature births at 26 weeks gestation is now around 90%.
WHAT CAN SCIENCE ADD TO THE DISCUSSION
From and article written by Sarah Fox of "The Brain Bank", there is scientific fact to help us out. "...we know that the brain structures necessary for conscious experience of pain do not develop until 29-30 weeks, while the conscious processing of sounds is only made possible after the 26th week. Even when the fetal brain possesses all its adult structures, scientists are cautious to assume it possesses what we refer to as ‘consciousness’. This is mainly because the low oxygen levels and a constant barrage of sleep-inducing chemicals from the placenta ensure that, until birth, the fetus remains heavily sedated". She goes on to say "...Therefore, although the ‘upper limit’ on abortion remains relatively arbitrary. Its current position at 24 weeks appears to fit well with both premature birth survival rates and, in terms of neural development, a time before any major connections are in place. Making it, in my eyes, as pretty good point at which to draw this line..."
Based on available science data, it seems that a birth at 26 weeks gestation has consciousness, feels pain, and with a little bit of medical attention will more than likely grow up without any physical or mental disabilities. As I was writing this, something popped into my head; It is possible for a woman to have an abortion at 26 weeks without killing the fetus, and giving the child up for adoption. Has anybody ever thought of this? Thoughts?
SOLUTIONS TO GREATLY REDUCE ABORTION
Single issue Republican voters need to look at the entire picture and realize that the solution to their dilemma is NOT overturning Roe v Wade. If they are TRULY pro-life, then they will get on board with Democrats, Planned Parenthood and Hillary Clinton to REDUCE and eventually ELIMINATE the need for abortion. Pro-life voters should be putting their money where there mouth is, and promote these measures which are fundamental parts of the Pro-Choice game plan, however, constant personal and legal attacks (both in Washington and even more prevalent at the state level) on Roe v Wade make it difficult for anybody to work together to solve the mutual problem of unwanted or untimely pregnancy.
To design a strong, fair, and non-religious program of education to girls and boys, beginning at puberty, or at about 7th grade, when their bodies and brains are asking questions and demanding answers regarding sex is just plain smart. As parents, we can't pretend this isn't happening, and no matter how hard you try, you'll never keep your kids from learning, one way or another, as it's in our DNA. Humans are probably the most sexual creatures in nature. Formally teaching kids sex education, and giving them a very comprehensive and clear picture of how the body works, as well as the physical, financial, and emotional challenges that happen, both short-term and long-term, will reduce pregnancy and increase responsibility. A program to educate parents should accompany this program. Adding and even promoting contraception, and funding it for those who can't afford it will further reduce abortions and increase responsibility. PRO-LIFER denial of this reality, attempting to shield their children from the realities of sex is probably one of the biggest causes of unwanted pregnancy.
I know it's not just young women who have abortions, but that's where improvements in abortion rates begin. A girl becomes pregnant. She has a choice to make. She's not ready to have a child and she's embarrassed or afraid to discuss it with her parents. She understands that she will probably have to drop out of school or at least cut short her education if she chooses to go full term. She understands that her overall quality of life (at least financially) will probably be diminished should she have the baby.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE for MEDICAL AND CHILD CARE
Financial assistance should be provided for medical expenses and also for child-care after the child is born, for at least the first several years of the child's life. Financial assistance to complete her education should also be made easier for these young women. Avoiding welfare is about increasing education and motivation. A woman should not have to sacrifice her standard of living in order to raise a child in the 21st century. There are many careers that can be done from home today if she chooses, or she can be whatever she wants to be, provided she has had the proper education and assistance. Removing the "dead end" is key.
PRO-LIFERS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The religious right has to come to terms with the fact that they will absolutely not be able to overturn Roe v. Wade, at least not any time soon. However, their efforts in promoting and supporting the above measures, most of which are supported by Planned Parenthood and the Democratic platform can reduce numbers greatly.
Designing programs which remove the taboo's of sex, increase education and understanding, and promote contraception early on can greatly reduce unwanted pregnancy, and greatly improve the numbers of women who CHOOSE to avoid unwanted pregnancy through contraception or to go full term and raise the child. I'm talking about cutting the number of abortions down by 50% over 10 years if done properly. This can be done with a cooperative effort.
WHY THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT or PRO-LIFE VOTER SHOULD SWITCH TO DEMOCRAT ?
Because your main objective is to prevent abortion. Change your focus and compromise. Work the COMMON GROUND. If the need for abortion is nearly eliminated over time, then it would be a great accomplishment. However, this cannot be done through guilt-tripping or forced decision making. It can only be done through enhanced education for both kids and parents, assistance for contraception, assistance in higher education, and assistance in child-care. I posted earlier that the religious right should "put their money where there mouths are", which I did not intend to be combative. It was intended to be a challenge. If your cooperative efforts prevent hundreds of thousands of abortions over time, that's not a bad result.
Planned Parenthood should be supported by all. It may be able to use some improvements, which the right and left could work together on. The lives saved by Planned Parenthood through screening and education is exceptional. It's in the best interest of both sides to increase education and assistance, without guilt-trips. There is a crossover in values and opinions that are not allowed to be discussed in this political climate. We all need to grow up and face realities.
Please comment. Let the discussion begin. I welcome both sides of the argument, approval or dissent. How do we learn if we don't talk?
VOTE TRUE !!! VOTE BLUE !!!
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