[Mr. Lucky]

When abortion was left up to the states, it was universally illegal; now that it's left up to the feds, it's universally legal.

Fred's position makes sense to me.

[Jim W N]

If its not a Constitutional issue, then the matter should be delegated to the states and individuals as the 10th Amendment says.

However, I think abortion is a constitutional issue. It's depriving the unborn of life without due process, breaking Constitutional Law stated in the 5th Amendment. Any state allowing abortion would be breaking the 14th Amendment.

[Morgan in Denver]

I agree abortion should be a states rights issue. But there are many who will agree with that position. I'm just saying we will be scrutinized for our positions just as we do the Democrats and this one needs to be addressed. Fred Thompson has done that specifically. Thompson also says homosexual marriages should also be a states right issue. I disagree with him on that. Because other states have to recognize laws from other jurisdictions, marriage being one of those, I cannot see how homosexual marriage can not be a federal issue.

[Conscience of a Conservative]

I agree that it should be a state’s rights issue, and that if it were, most states would prohibit abortion in all (or most) cases. But, just as a point of fact, it should be noted that in the years prior to Roe, several states had repealed/”reformed” their abortion laws, so that it was not quite “universally” illegal. Overwhelmingly illegal, yes, but not quite universal.

So, I guess there might be some merit to the argument that, if we want to protect life in all cases, in all areas of the country, a constitutional amendment may be the way to do it. Still, I think we should work on undoing the damage of Roe first, then see what still needs doing after the dust settles.

[Sherman Logan]

When abortion was up to the states, the states were definitely moving towards liberalizing it, with Reagan’s CA leading the way. It is very likely that within 10 years dozens of states would have passed liberalized laws.

What Roe did was take the most extreme possible version of the pro-choice position and install it as a constitutional right, meaning it would require either an amendment or a overthrow by the Court to change it in the slightest degree.

[firebrand]

The states were starting to make it legal.