Posted on 11/11/2012 8:55:29 PM PST by SquarePants
First off, let me say this. I am completely, unabashedly and unapologetically pro-life. That being said, I was somewhat dismayed by the reports of the 2012 election featuring the largest gender gap in history. Given multiple national polls showing that people do not support abortion, it remains an issue, and it remains an issue that the GOP does not handle well.
I remember watching the VP debate between Biden and Ryan, and being hugely disappointed in how Ryan handled the abortion question. You can watch a video of it below, but, if I may paraphrase Ryan's answer in general terms, he stressed how important his faith was in coming to his pro-life position. Biden then rambled on about how much he supports a woman's "right to choose." The net result is that Biden generally came across as a rational, compassionate, caring sort - which is not what he is at all, while the impression of Ryan that the underinformed voters ultimately got was that he would be the sort of person who might just be capable of supporting any sort of position informed by his religious views.
Of course, Senate candidates Akin and Mourdock also had cringe-worthy comments on the abortion issue as well. Arguably, poor handling of "women's issues" cost the GOP two Senate seats and possibly the Presidency. So what's the problem? Why does the GOP insist upon conveying the most important message of civilized society - the message that every life is valuable - in such consistently inarticulate fashion? What kind of an approach would serve to neutralize the issue at the voting booth, and bring election results in line with national polls on the matter?
Well, as to why the GOP is so incompetent at communicating the value of life, I'm not really sure. They certainly know it's an issue that will be raised by Democrat candidates and the progressive, state-run media. They certainly have the time and resources to prepare for it. Honestly, I have no idea why the GOP can't positively deliver the pro-life message, but I do know what their message should be.
The GOP message should be, "The abortion issue has nothing to do with religion. Mine or anyone else's. The senseless and societally counterproductive promotion of abortion as an acceptable solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy has led to a culture where the value of a life can be quantified, and that's wrong. Abortion is a human rights issue, and a civilized society has several undeniable obligations. Primary among them is the right to life. This is not an opinion informed by my religious beliefs. This is an opinion informed by common sense. Every life has value, and a civilized society protects life. It's that simple."
The GOP needs to stop hinging their abortion discussions on religion, and their public policy positions on faith. Frankly, it makes the pro-life position look fanatical, when it is anything but. The GOP needs to have confidence that their position is informed by reality, and by the conviction that a society is judged, ultimately, by how they treat the least among them. And most Americans support candidates who promote the future of our nation and stand up for using our government programs in the manner they were intended - which is to protect and provide for those who cannot protect or provide for themselves.
If they were smart, the GOP would position themselves to call out the pro-abortion Democrats for the hypocritical simultaneous support of the contradicting position on Human Rights. Real concern for human rights and promotion of abortion can't exist together. That's not fanatical. That's Realville, USA.
Maybe they are, but I don’t see them pushing it or trying hard to sell other women on it.
Indeed. Good politicians would know this instinctively.
We do not seem to have those.
The best policy for pro-life politicians is just to shut up about it—and refuse to explain in detail one’s position:
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I agree with most of your post....but, with this...I disagree. People need to learn to intelligently defend their moral positions. THIS is exactly what is NOT being done.
You’re changing your hypothetical as often happens in these types of arguments. You’re arguing from emotion rather than fact, and the facts will always add up to It’s *her* pregnancy.
It’s not my choice. If it was my choice I would choose pro-life. And I was quite clear, it’s *her* pregnancy, our child.
As for why? I’ve already said why. She is the one that’s pregnant, not me. It’s 100% her body and 50% her child, only 50% my child.
And that’s just if I’m the father. If I’m not the father than it’s none of my business unless she asks me for advice.
I do not believe abortion is a good choice for Birth Control but in the end, It’s not my decision to make.
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OK....hypothetical question:
I’m a single mom and I choose to euthanize my 2 year old child. This child is overwhelming me and I can’t have a good quality of life this way....and it’s not good for the child either. You have NO say. It’s MY decision to make.
America is either for protecting the very young or it is not. You are not, so drop the charades don'tchaknow.
Side stepping is a politician’s speciality. Do you actually see them directly answering anything?
If the male has NO part in the decision, then the male should NOT be held responsible in any way for the child. This includes child support. The female cannot have it both ways.
Here’s one for you.
What if genetics allowed us to determine within a degree of certainty that the child would be Gay, Liberal, Anti-Christian, Pedophile, murderer, arsonist and deranged Big Gulp drinker — all at the same time ...... And you are a religious fundamentalists given the task of determining whether we cut the child from the womb of the mother who wants an abortion, killing the mother during the process, then putting the viable Fetus in an incubator tank to bring it to term, then lock it up in solitude forever because it’s so deranged, or letting the mother have her will.
Those are the only decisions you can make. No Kobayashi Maru for you, What decision do you make?
Hypotheticals are so pre-school, don’t bother us with them.
Married white females perhaps but I don't buy for a minute that single white females voted for Romney by such a margin.
Gosh, how quaint, you built a straw man.
My funding source is the US government - it’s already bankrupt so no problem. My intent was also to give poor minorities an income stream. Abort away!
I did’t know this. Thanks!
The problem is that a large number of people reject the idea of that being a profound moral principle. Enough to determine the winner of an election.
Your focus is on the *pregnancy* instead of the CHILD.
Because of this...my hypothetical changes nothing. The focus IS the CHILD. AND...the genetics come from both parents...but the CHILD belongs to God.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...” (Jeremiah 1:5)
The BASIS for law that forbids the killing of another (except in defense of life) IS God’s law. We should ALL stand for that. According to God’s law, she has NO such choice....just as I have NO such choice to euthanize my unwanted 2 year old....and you have NO such choice to kill your next-door neighbor no matter how much he annoys you.
I hope you realize exactly how morally bankrupt such a statement is.
Careful there, the poster will try to put a match to your ‘strawman’. The bankrupt soul must have its excuse to reamin dead.
Careful there, the poster will try to put a match to your ‘strawman’. The bankrupt soul must have its excuse to remain dead.
The problem is that a large number of people reject the idea of that being a profound moral principle.
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THAT is why a CLEAR moral, logical case MUST be made for this. By the way, the tide is already turning...thanks to medical technology. Our work, then is to present a moral, logical case for why God’s law is the greatest of wisdom...for the best welfare of everyone.
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