Breaking Political Stories and Commentary. "We're at the height of the Roman Empire for the Republican Party, but the tide slowly but surely goes out." --Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
The following was written by Glen Stassen, a professor of Christian Ethics:
I am a Christian ethicist, and trained in statistical analysis. I am consistently pro-life. My son David is one witness. For my family, "pro-life" is personal. My wife caught rubella in the eighth week of her pregnancy. We decided not to terminate, to love and raise our baby. David is legally blind and severely handicapped; he also is a blessing to us and to the world.

[snip]

Abortion was decreasing. When President Bush took office, the nation's abortion rates were at a 24-year low, after a 17.4% decline during the 1990s. This was an average decrease of 1.7% per year, mostly during the latter part of the decade. (This data comes from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life using the Guttmacher Institute's studies).

[snip]

Under President Bush, the decade-long trend of declining abortion rates appears to have reversed. Given the trends of the 1990s, 52,000 more abortions occurred in the United States in 2002 than would have been expected before this change of direction.

[snip]

The U.S. Catholic Bishops warned of this likely outcome if support for families with children was cut back. My wife and I know - as does my son David - that doctors, nurses, hospitals, medical insurance, special schooling, and parental employment are crucial for a special child. David attended the Kentucky School for the Blind, as well as several schools for children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. He was mainstreamed in public schools as well. We have two other sons and five grandchildren, and we know that every mother, father, and child needs public and family support.

What does this tell us? Economic policy and abortion are not separate issues; they form one moral imperative. Rhetoric is hollow, mere tinkling brass, without health care, health insurance, jobs, child care, and a living wage. Pro-life in deed, not merely in word, means we need policies that provide jobs and health insurance and support for prospective mothers.
George Bush's policies are not pro-life, and he's managed to reverse the decades of progress that had been made here. As is true so often about him, Bush's rhetoric appears to show little awareness of the reality around him, and he seems unwilling to see how his poorly his policies play out.

Comments (Page 2)
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on Oct 19, 2004
conservatives' unwillingness to see the logical connection


Why is it every time I disagree with a fellow liberal, I'm shunted off to the conservative team. Not that THEY want me. Not that I WANT to be over there.

sheesh

on Oct 19, 2004

Reply #15 By: Peaches (Anonymous) - 10/19/2004 7:34:37 PM
I think it's pretty obvious that if a woman feels it will be hard to raise a child, she is more likely to have an abortion. Clearly, the government safety net has been significantly weakened under Bush, and this would definitely lead to more women having abortions. Great post.


Yet another "significant" load of bull puckey!
on Oct 19, 2004
Myrrander -

I respect that you conscientiously evaluate issues and are willing to call things as you see them based on facts rather than herd instincts. You're welcome "over here" any time. When the facts require it, we should all be as graceful in concession.

Cheers,
Daiwa
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