Here's a tidbit--I realize many people feel strongly enough about abortion that their entire politician perspective hinges on this singular issue. But if the central argument is that life must be valued at all costs, then at what point do we count the lives lost to malaria, diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, famine, and I don't know, WAR, all over the world? These are all tragedies the United States has the resources to lessen. A responsibility to end, even.
And if I'm voting on behalf of the other million+ children who die every year from preventable causes, then why is that so evil? I just don't understand why people who are pro-life assume all democrats flippantly support abortion. It's obnoxious. Do I look like someone who would make that choice casually? NO. Do I seem like I would support people who make that choice selfishly or without painful consideration? No.
But at the end of the day, my opinion on abortion has very little to do with how I'm voting. And if people say that's not good enough, that abortion must be the top issue (whichever side you're on), I don't agree. My gut, my conscience, my faith, my resources all lead me to put my eggs in other baskets that I believe are just as urgent, just as life-or-death. So to the ones who think I'm poo-pooing the loss of life, think again. I'm just fighting for another set of kids.
6 comments:
For real.
Holly, I love your blog - now that I have entered the blogging world I am totally addicted!
Thank you for expressing these things so eloquently, I would like to add a hearty AMEN to what you are saying. My heart was set free when I left the "one issue voter" identity of the religious right behind me and turned compassionate eyes on things that have always made me uneasy (like exploitation of the third world, death penalty, war and poverty)...we've come a long way from Cherry Hills!
Hol-lelujah!
Great WC... I think it's so important to be able to understand why someone might vote "against the church" ...
my heart just says, "mmm". i agree and i thank you for putting those words out there.
I have never heard that put so eloquently, Holly. Bravo!
And yet, I wonder if the different sets of kids always have to be mutually exclusive. Surely there must be a third option that doesn't exclude an important egg basket.
I suppose if pro-lifers shouldn't assume all Democrats support abortion, it's not quite fair for Democrats to assume pro-lifers only care about the unborn and not any other kids or people.
Many politicians are pro-life but also have a deep commitment to the third world, AIDS, malaria and poverty. Ask Africa where their ARVs are coming from. It is possible to fight for both.
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