Abortion
Warning! Remove your dentures and tighten your bra straps because this road is long and bumpy.
Let's take a look at what each political party has to say about abortion:
Republicans: Abortion: also called 'Human Sacrifice'
Democrats: Her body; her choice.
My View: Unless I'm having one, it's really none of my business.
Republicans on Abortion
Many Republicans oppose abortion because they believe that it is morally wrong to end a pregnancy. They believe that life begins at conception and that every human being has the right to life regardless of the circumstances of that conception. Some Republicans also believe that the government should not fund abortions, or that the decision to have an abortion should be left up to the individual and their doctor. It is important to note that not all Republicans are against abortion. However, many Republicans do support certain restrictions on abortion, such as limiting access to late-term abortions or requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions.
"We hold beliefs as a consolation, a way to take us out of ourselves. Meditation or medication, a comfort or a promised reward."
Democrats on Abortion
In general, Democrats do not necessarily favor abortion, but rather they support a woman's individual right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. Most Democrats believe unequivocally, like the majority of Americans, that every woman should be able to have access to high-quality reproductive health care services which provide safe and legal abortion. As Republican-led state legislatures (like Texas) have passed laws in recent months to severely restrict or outright ban the procedure, protecting abortion rights has become an key talking point for Democratic candidates at almost all levels of government.
"Sometimes the fortress is too strong or the love is too weak. What should have been our armor becomes a sharp and angry sword."
My Views on Abortion
Let me start out by being very clear that, like most Libertarians, I believe that every person has (and should always have) the right to make decisions for themselves even if we disagree with those decisions. This belief extends to the current debate about the legality of abortion in Texas. While I am personally against the idea of abortion, I also recognize that such a judgment is not the responsibility of the state or its leadership.
If we, as Texans, seek to eliminate abortion in our state, then we must make its alternatives more easily available including over-the-counter contraception options, simplifying and reducing the cost of infant adoption, as well as finding other avenues to assure the physical and mental health of those who choose to undergo any of the available processes (abortion, birth, or adoption).
"Sometimes the spirit is too strong or the flesh is too weak. Sometimes the need is just too great for the solace we seek."
The Issue of Abortion
"Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue, and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their own conscientious consideration." - Libertarian Party platform statement on abortion.
As an analyst, it seems to me that ultimately, the issue of abortion can be reduced to one conceptual question: exactly whose free will is being violated?
I believe that every individual is entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and I want everyone to have the freedom to make their own decisions.
"Sometimes the damage is too great or the will is too weak. What should have been our armor becomes a sharp and burning sword."
Ultimately, once someone allows themselves to step back and look at this issue without a predetermined agenda, the "heartbeat law" currently enabled within Texas (and other states') law can only be seen as a deliberate attempt by one group to force their beliefs on someone else whether the second group agrees with it or not. This is referred to as "monoculturalism" (the policy or process of supporting, advocating, or allowing the expression of the culture of a single social or ethnic group). Not only should this authoritarian mindset be unwelcome in Texas, but by legislating this specific version of morality as being superior to all others, this law is simply another example of a "prohibition law" that I believe should (very much like the 18th Amendment) be repealed.
"Our better natures seek elevation, a refuge for the coming night. No one gets to their heaven without a fight."
Disclaimer: it's important to note that not all Republicans are opposed to abortion access, that not all Democrats are in favor of it, and that not all Libertarians are ambivalent to the issue. The debate over the issue of abortion access is a complex one that is influenced by a variety of factors including political ideology, personal experience, and cultural background.
Some of my opinions regarding abortion:
- Abortion Hypocrisy in Texas [Article Link]