Reply #66: Pro-choice, huh? [View All]

[StoryTeller]

Oh dear... please don't let that get out! What will my family say? :) Given your definition of pro-choice, I suppose you could, in fact, consider me that. If that is the more accurate depiction of the pro-choice position, then it really is being misrepresented by the right-wing.

But I think it is also a misrepresentation to say that "pro-lifers" are most interested in controlling women. Maybe that's the high-level agenda, I don't know. I have never been that involved in the pro-life movement. (Never even picketed a Planned Parenthood, okay?) Most of the rest of us who have grown up with pro-life views hold those views because of a sincere concern for human life. Many people who are pro-life are also against euthanasia because we don't want to see the elderly or handicapped or poor or otherwise "useless" (not my description!) people "put to sleep" like cats or dogs. (As far as assisted suicide, I don't want to go there today. One thorny issue is enough in a 24-hour period.) The concern is that if we start saying that fetuses are expendable then it's a relatively small step toward saying that so are babies after birth and then so are other people who are not "productive citizens." Believe it or not, a lot of pro-lifers are every bit as concerned about Nazi-like thinking when it comes to this area as most of you DU'ers are about other areas of society. And they would be every bit as outraged as a pro-choice person over the idea of forced sterilization or forced organ donations.

Now, admittedly, it makes NO sense whatsoever for the same pro-life folks to then be supportive of "pre-emptive" wars, the death penalty, and to be unconcerned about the poor or what happens to single mothers, etc. That's why I can't go along with the Republican party, despite its "pro-life" platform. But most of the pro-life people I know are not deliberately being hypocrites or trying to control women. They've just been told and have believed the lie that being against abortions is the most important, and often the only, issue that should matter. They think if they outlaw abortions, that will fix the problem. And as you pointed out with that information from Planned Parenthood (which I will check out-- thanks), the problems extend far beyond the issue of legality. I hope that as you and I and other people attempt to have a more balanced, honest discussion of this issue, maybe we can all come to a better understanding of each other's views and concerns, and then we can work on finding some lasting solutions.

Thanks for sharing your views and information with me. :)