Monday, November 14, 2005

The Party of Abortion

My Democrat friend wants to assure me that his party is not the party of abortion.

This post is an exploration of his statement and what he means by it. I think he means to say that Liberals want abortion to be available as an option, but are not hoping for the opportunity to abort fetuses.

DUH! I don't think conservatives generally regard Liberals as having a blood lust for non-viable babies. I do think, however, that Liberals generally perceive Conservatives as overly interested in the reproductive rights of women. What conservatives actually are interested in, is protecting the lives of those they believe deserve protection. I'll address the legitimacy of that position in another post. Right now, let's stick with the issue of the characterization of parties if regard to abortion rights.

First, let me say that the two sides of the issue are aptly named. The pro-life movement is about protecting lives of fetuses. The pro-choice movement is about protecting the right to choose to abort fetuses. And let's agree for the sake of this discussion to lable each party as such, since generally that's how the voters allign themselves. We know that pro choicers and pro lifers cross party lines, but that's not helpful to this discussion. Each party represents one side of the issue, and the agendas will follow.

I like to think that regardless of party lines, Americans believe that the right to life is the greatest of human rights.

If you accept that a fetus is a human life, then you must treat it as such. For you, abortion on demand is not negotiable. Notice I wrote abortion on demand. Most pro-lifers do not demand a woman face death to protect her pregnancy, they just don't tolerate it as a form of birth control. The republican party represents this platform, regardless of the fact that not all Republicans are pro-life, and not all pro-lifers are Republican.

If you do not accept that a fetus is a life, then you must consider that abortion is an acceptable escape route for those with unwanted pregnancies. The Democratic party represents this platform regardless of the fact that not all Democrats are not pro-choice , and not all pro-choicers are not Democrats.

The democratic party may not be the party of abortion, but it is the party of abortion on demand. Now I ask you, what is the difference?

If you accept that a fetus is a human life, but you are pro choice, then you must accept that you have placed a greater value on the desires of the born than on the life of the unborn.

If you do not accept that a fetus is a human life, then you should have no qualms with abortion. In fact, it seems irrational for you to feel badly that abortion occurs. Therefore, it is irrational for you to object to the term "the party of abortion". Indeed, it makes more sense for you to convince others that abortion is not wrong.

I know it feels good to empathise with those who face unwanted pregnancies. An unwanted pregnancy is a heavy burden, and not always the result of irresponsibility. Regardless, it is not my position that the right to not be pregnant trumps the right to live? Is it yours? Have you rigorously examined your decision to be pro-choice? If you are troubled with the title "the party of abortion", then I suspect you have not.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not a bad argument. Technically, the question is whether a fetus has the moral status of a person.

There are many sound reasons for denying personhood before viability occurs, i.e. third trimester. Some people claim that 9 1/2 weeks, before any brain development has occurred, is a better cutoff point. What is increasingly difficult to assert, at least on the liberal side of things, is that third trimester abortions should remain legal. Part of the reason this has become such a big problem is the law which defines the exception for the life of the mother is written so broadly that it allows basically any reason.

Cheers,
stephen

burnyourtires said...

You can rationalize and analyze and speculate and recreate till you're blue in the face and drenched with sweat. (there's nothing like a nurse drenched in sweat, but I digress) the important part of this argument is keeping government out of the lives of Americans. (brb, i gotta change a poop diaper)

Much of your post i agree with but much is slanted right. ex: "I like to think that regardless of party lines, Americans believe that the right to life is the greatest of human rights." what gives you that? do you mean the right for one to live or the right for a fetus to live?

Again, dems are the party of keeping gov out of our lives.

I like your post and am glad to have this conversation.

burnyourtires said...

oh yea, I still hope they over turn w v wade and outlaw abortions. That will wake up America.

Late Bloomer said...

You may wonder why I respond to comments in the form of new posts. It's because in the time it takes me to respond, it may appear the thread is done. Then readers may not return to the comments to see mine.Also, some comments really are new topics that splinter off the previous, yet deserve their own debate.