Roe v. Wade

Pro-Choice

Today is the 34th anniversary of the landmark decision handed down from the Supreme Court to allow legal abortions in the United States. Since 1973, we have been a divided nation on this subject. It comes down to the fourteenth amendment and includes equal protection and civil rights.

Last year, with the help of the religious right backed by your President, many states have begun moving toward restricting a woman's rights by making it harder to get a legal abortion. Ohio and South Dakota are leading the way in taking away this constitutional right. They are proposing bills that would make it a felony to transport a pregnant woman across state lines to receive an abortion. They would lecture her about her moral responsibility (in their eyes) and make her wait 24 hours. The legal wrangling goes on.

Prior to 1973, unwanted pregnancies were met with hot, wire coat hangers in back alleys resulting in death or ultimate sterility for the woman in many instances. Post 1973 has brought safety to these women and allowed them dignity in their freedom to do with their body as they wish.

Put your religious views aside for a moment and listen with an open mind. I have two children and abortion was never a option for me, however I believe in America and our freedoms. We have the right to bear arms, the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, you see where I'm going. The freedom for a woman to choose whether she is ready for a child or not should be hers along with her mate, not some legislature or the neighbor three doors down. I have personally known two people that chose abortion because they weren't ready at that time. I have supported them in their decision both mentally and financially and they went on to pursue life to its fullest. Had they been forced to become parents at that time, these people would be different today, though nobody knows if it would be for better or worse. The point is that they got to choose!

I'm not saying it should be legal up until birth, I think only during the first trimester. In that time she knows if she wants to carry it to term or not. But let's look at other reasons to keep abortion legal.

1. Rape or incest. This child would not be wanted.
2. Under age. This child would be a burden on her, her parents and society.
3. Illegal abortions would rise resulting in death and sterility for the woman.

If a woman was forced to carry her unwanted child to term, do you think that the child would be in perfect health? Do you think the mother would care for herself and the child as she would if it were wanted? Would she change her lifestyle to ensure a healthy baby? Not likely! This unhealthy child would become a ward of the state and thus become a burden on society. Also, would it be fair for the child to be born with these potential heath problems and still not be wanted?

If you have the opportunity to speak out, let people know that a woman has the right to choose what's best for her.

Uphold Roe v. Wade!

And That's What I Think!