It starts with the first two letters of the alphabet and rhymes with 'ortion.'
Abortion.
I'm really sick and tired of feeling like I'm always playing defense when discussions turn to one of the most divisive topics in America today. I'm convinced we can win on this.
Hello wedge issue. I'd like you to meet my beat-down stick:
Banning abortion will never end abortion. It's a failure suggested by failures.
From 1910 to 1973 abortion was effectively outlawed in this country, and yet they occured (every state but one by 1910 - don't know which one).
With that in mind, here are a few ways I completely reframe the debate when, uhm, talking to those whose passion outways rational thinking:
For sixty-three years abortion was outlawed in this country and yet millions of abortions occured. You know what that tells me? That banning abortion was an absolute failure, and, should it be resurrected, it will continue to be an absolute failure. Banning abortion will not end abortion. Repeat, banning abortion will not end abortion. The reason no one in the supposed pro-life movement ever talks about that is because they do not care about abortion. They're just using people. To what end is their mystery to solve.
Banning abortion often leads to back-alleys where two lives are killed, not just a potential one. Codifying into law the idea that women are completely, wholly, and utterly incapable of making difficult choices is as stupid as those who suggest it. Now, I wish we lived in a world where abortion did not exist. I want to live in a world where it does not exist because it does not have to exist. I believe that world is possible. Would you like to hear some ideas on how to achieve such a world?
- equal pay for equal work would lower abortion rates
- universal day care would lower abortion rates
- science-based sex education lowers abortion rates
- a bunch of things in the comments thread would lower abortion rates
Now, I understand that some of those ideas are morally repugnant to some people in the supposed pro-life movement, but complete and utter failure to end abortion is the only offered alternative.
I am Progressively Pro-Life. What's your choice?