By: Daniel Nardini
In this election year, the primary focus is on the economy and jobs. This is quite understandable given the current condition of the economy. The official unemployment figure stands at above 8 percent (although unofficially it is twice that), businesses are suffering, and poverty has become a major crisis. On top of all this is the national debt, which if not dealt with will result in the implosion of this country’s economy. I am worried this may be happening right now. Given all this, the issue of abortion does not seem to be on the front-burner. And yet it is there, and as much an issue as all the rest. Ironically, the issue has become greater than ever because of the rise of the Christian right wing since the late 1970’s. The U.S. Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973 that made abortion legal in the United States has not ended attempts by those who wish to prevent abortions altogether from trying to reverse time.
Before I say anything else, I wish to state my personal opinion on the subject. I am not too thrilled with abortion, or for that matter contraception or other measures of birth control. Neither is my wife. This all said, this is a personal choice. And above all else I believe in personal choice. Because of this, I believe it is necessary that abortion, like contraception and birth control pills, must be available to all regardless of their economic status. And these measures must remain legal and accessible for all. Before I say anything more, I will state some facts about abortion. It is a safe medical procedure. Contrary to popular myth, a woman is 14 times more likely to die carrying a baby to term than to have an abortion. There is no link between having an abortion and breast cancer. Planned Parenthood, which is the main provider of abortions in the United States, is only a small part of what Planned Parenthood provides. It also provides information on Sexually Transmitted Diseases and breast cancer, and also provides medical services such as screenings for breast cancer, female infertility, pelvic exams, pap tests, yeast infections, etc. All of this are facts and medical facts.
When the Supreme Court justices made the decision to legalize abortion, they took all of this into account. Here is another fact. In the Netherlands, where abortion is widely available as well as birth control pills and contraception, the overall rate of abortions is among the lowest in the industrialized world. This is because in the Netherlands sex education is provided for girls and boys, and when they become adults they can make choices from knowledge. Ironically, the rate of abortions in the United States—especially in states where abortion has been restricted—is much higher than in U.S. states where it is available and certainly way higher than in the Netherlands. What this is saying is that those women who can afford it are able to get abortions even if certain states restrict it. However, low-income women, who make-up the vast majority of those women seeking abortion, are routinely denied access to abortion or birth control pills or contraception. Hence, those states where abortion is restricted see more health complications for women including injury or death because many of these women are denied the health care to take care of their unborn babies and their babies after birth.
Sadly, many Republican-dominated legislators, giving in to religious extremism, have passed laws and ordinances that have either restricted abortion clinics or simply shut those down that were in operation. What bothers me about all this is that it is not giving any choice to women whatsoever. What about women who are the victims or rape or incest? What about women whose lives are in danger? Apparently, for these offensive morality hypocrites, the above factors do not enter the equation. Would they prefer the United States to be like the Islamic Republic of Iran?! What saddens me is that what would or should be a medical procedure has become demonized as an act of “murder” by religious zealots who have not let rhyme or reason enter into the debate. This fanaticism has resulted in extreme acts of violence against abortion clinics and abortion providers. Since 1977, over 200 abortion clinics have been bombed, and since 1993 eight medical providers have been murdered including four doctors. In my book those who have committed these violent acts are domestic terrorists, and should be treated as such. All of this means that there are those who believe in not only legislating morality, but also using the bogus argument of religion to assert control over all of us in one form or another. This is why I believe that abortion, even if I am not personally for it, must remain legal and accessible.
Why Pro-choice Is Necessary
By: Daniel Nardini
Before I say anything else, I wish to state my personal opinion on the subject. I am not too thrilled with abortion, or for that matter contraception or other measures of birth control. Neither is my wife. This all said, this is a personal choice. And above all else I believe in personal choice. Because of this, I believe it is necessary that abortion, like contraception and birth control pills, must be available to all regardless of their economic status. And these measures must remain legal and accessible for all. Before I say anything more, I will state some facts about abortion. It is a safe medical procedure. Contrary to popular myth, a woman is 14 times more likely to die carrying a baby to term than to have an abortion. There is no link between having an abortion and breast cancer. Planned Parenthood, which is the main provider of abortions in the United States, is only a small part of what Planned Parenthood provides. It also provides information on Sexually Transmitted Diseases and breast cancer, and also provides medical services such as screenings for breast cancer, female infertility, pelvic exams, pap tests, yeast infections, etc. All of this are facts and medical facts.
When the Supreme Court justices made the decision to legalize abortion, they took all of this into account. Here is another fact. In the Netherlands, where abortion is widely available as well as birth control pills and contraception, the overall rate of abortions is among the lowest in the industrialized world. This is because in the Netherlands sex education is provided for girls and boys, and when they become adults they can make choices from knowledge. Ironically, the rate of abortions in the United States—especially in states where abortion has been restricted—is much higher than in U.S. states where it is available and certainly way higher than in the Netherlands. What this is saying is that those women who can afford it are able to get abortions even if certain states restrict it. However, low-income women, who make-up the vast majority of those women seeking abortion, are routinely denied access to abortion or birth control pills or contraception. Hence, those states where abortion is restricted see more health complications for women including injury or death because many of these women are denied the health care to take care of their unborn babies and their babies after birth.
Sadly, many Republican-dominated legislators, giving in to religious extremism, have passed laws and ordinances that have either restricted abortion clinics or simply shut those down that were in operation. What bothers me about all this is that it is not giving any choice to women whatsoever. What about women who are the victims or rape or incest? What about women whose lives are in danger? Apparently, for these offensive morality hypocrites, the above factors do not enter the equation. Would they prefer the United States to be like the Islamic Republic of Iran?! What saddens me is that what would or should be a medical procedure has become demonized as an act of “murder” by religious zealots who have not let rhyme or reason enter into the debate. This fanaticism has resulted in extreme acts of violence against abortion clinics and abortion providers. Since 1977, over 200 abortion clinics have been bombed, and since 1993 eight medical providers have been murdered including four doctors. In my book those who have committed these violent acts are domestic terrorists, and should be treated as such. All of this means that there are those who believe in not only legislating morality, but also using the bogus argument of religion to assert control over all of us in one form or another. This is why I believe that abortion, even if I am not personally for it, must remain legal and accessible.