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(CNN) -- Abortion rights advocates plan to rally in Texas Tuesday after state lawmakers approved controversial legislaton that requires mothers seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound examination and listen to a description of what it shows.
1) OK, so many Democrats are up in arms over the requirement that women seeking an abortion must get a sonogram, and see what is inside them before getting that abortion. Many Democrats are also chiding the Republican party as hypocritical, in that they talk about limiting government interference in our lives, but practice just the opposite.
2) On the other side of the issue are the Republicans themselves, many of whom see abortion as murder, and want to limit or even end the procedure.
3) Me? I am rather torn on this issue, but here is the way I see it:
I am pretty much pro choice, and always have been pro choice, but I also realize that many decisions we make in life are based on ignorance, and not knowing all the facts. This was the case with Norma McCorvey, who was "Jane Roe" in the famous Roe v. Wade case that made abortion legal, and polarized an entire nation around this issue. McCorvey came to deeply regret having her abortion to such an extent that she eventually joined Operation Rescue, and in 2003, asked for her case to be opened once again for judicial review.
Obtaining an abortion is a huge step, and one that is not reversible. After all, if you purchase a car, and then have buyer's remorse, you can always take it back. Not so with an abortion. Once done, the "sale" is final and permanent. That is why I strongly feel that education prior to undergoing a procedure this drastic is absolutely imperative, and I am inclined to take the side of the Texas Republicans, and Rick Perry, who are passing this law.
But that presents me with a dilemma. If this law is passed, then the government will once more have decided to intervene in people's lives, and tell them how to live, under penalty of law. If Conservatism means less government, then how can I possibly advocate for more government? If I agree that the government is right in ordering people to undergo certain medical procedures, then do I even have a leg to stand on when I say that the government has no business to order that everyone must obtain health insurance, under penalty of law? You see, it cuts both ways here, and THAT is my dilemma. In order to stay true to what I believe in, I am going to have to pick a side here, and stick with it, whether or not I dislike some aspects of that side, while liking other aspects of it. I can't have it both ways. I strongly believe that this also applies to everyone else. YOU can't have it both ways either, without being a hypocrite.
So here is the deal - I am on the fence over reconciling my position here, and must make a choice of either supporting Rick Perry and the Republicans on mandatory sonograms for women seeking an abortion, and supporting Obama, on the issue of mandatory health insurance coverage, or not supporting Obama and not supporting Rick Perry and the Republicans, on the same issue. For me, on one hand, to support a government mandated medical procedure, while on the other hand, coming out against another medically related government mandate, is not only hypocritical, but dishonest as well. To be honest, it's going to be a tough choice. The choice for me is the following:
a) Support Rick Perry and the Republicans when it comes to forcing women to obtain a sonogram before getting an abortion, and also support the Obamacare requirement that everyone obtain health insurance.
b) Come out against the new Texas law, even though I like it, but also come out against Obama's law that everybody obtain health insurance.
Once again, if I am to remain true to my beliefs, I must be consistent. I cannot have it both ways. This is where YOU, the members of Debate Politics, come in. I am tasking you ALL, Liberal and Conservative alike, to state your case, and move me off the fence. After all, a function of a political forum is not just to rant and rave, but to present an argument that is strong enough to move others towards your position. That is what debate is all about, and we ARE called Debate Politics, arent we?
OK, folks, have at it. Move me off the fence.
Article is here.
NOTE: Since this is a very serious subject matter, I ask that no flaming, baiting, or other such nonsense take place here. If it does, I will request thread bans from the mods.
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