Reply #153: if this issue has done mortal damage to this country [View All]

[RainDog]

it is because of those who think they may tell women what choices they make regarding their reproductive rights.

THEY are the problem.

In the same way that the southern racists were the problem for the democratic party when it decided that it would be the party to enforce rights for people other than whites.

they had "scientific" and religious arguments to support their position, too.

For me this issue is so central to the existence of a female that I would stop voting for any democratic candidate who did not support pro-choice. I would never give money to the party, never canvass, phone bank and I would probably not vote at all or vote third party - because if the democrats are willing to throw away women's reproductive rights then that party does not represent me - or the majority of Americans who remain pro-choice. (the poll touted by the anti-choicers not too long ago failed to note the survey, while demonstrating their propaganda had had an impact, still indicated that the majority of Americans, not simply democrats, support choice.)

So I think your belief that this has cost the party is wrong.

What has cost the party is not governing according to their stated ideology. This would result in a move to the left by republicans because they cannot draw voters when they align with racists, teabaggers, militia, the kkk... Obama won because liberals and progressives turned out in numbers across the united states. These same voters are pissed at him for pandering to the right while ignoring those who put him in office.

Maybe the reason you are willing to have certitude about slavery is because you recognize the injustice of forcing someone to forego their sovereignty for another's comfort. I'm sorry you can't see women as part of this same equation. But maybe you'll find a way to acknowledge that women have a right to choose whether or not to give birth, especially when society is set up as it is.

but in truth - the reality of human life is that infanticide has always been a part of the human experience - before it was possible to terminate a pregnancy long before viability. people farmed their children out to wet nurses who starved the babies to death. children were abandoned in the woods. children were smothered by their parents. prior to current abortion procedure, women took herbal medications to abort.

on the other hand, El Salvador has made abortion illegal. doctors are required to report on patients they think may have had an abortion. I wonder how many women avoid medical treatment because of this? Women are put in jail and separated from their actual children if they have an abortion - oh wait - I should qualify that. POOR women have these experiences. Rich women, as always get the medical procedures they want. While their husbands write policy to punish poor women. just like stupak.

Those who support women's autonomy will continue to fight those who would seek to force them to abide by religious views they do not share. They will not win on this issue.