Politickled.com

You’re probably wondering to yourself right now: who is dumb enough to claim that Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain’s impulsive pick for VP is ‘Pro-Choice’?  Well, I am and I’ve got a pretty good argument to back it up.

First, some background:  Palin’s stated views on abortion and related issues have not been challenged to-date.  She is against teaching sex education in school.  She is against birth control.  She is against funding which would help teens who have just given birth.  She wants ‘Roe v. Wade’ overturned and thus is against giving families the choice to have an abortion, including instances where rape and/or incest is involved.  She wants abortion to only be a choice if the woman’s own life is at risk.

With all this evidence, how can I state that she is, in fact ‘Pro-Choice?’ Well, it’s pretty easy if you understand what the whole ‘Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice’ argument really entails.  Exhibit A:

“Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.”

That was… you guessed it: Sarah Palin’s statement on her daughter’s pregnancy.   Did you notice something in there that was interesting?  Perhaps in bold and italics? (effect added)  Yes, that’s right.  Sarah Palin stated that her daughter was able to make a  CHOICE.

The fact that Palin praises her daughter’s choice on this matter but states that if she were in charge, no other family in this country would have such an option smacks not only of blatant hipocracy, but also fundamentally underscores the ‘Pro-Life’ movements’ misunderstanding of the abortion issue at large.

For decades the ‘Pro-Life’ movement and its leaders have changed the debate on abortion.  They have framed the discussion as not ‘Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice’ but rather: ‘Pro-Life vs. Pro-Abortion’.  With this mindset, they have demonized the ‘Pro-Choice’ movement as being against ‘babies’ and the ‘unborn’.  What many on this side have forgotten is that the ‘Pro-Choice’ movement is about, well, CHOICE. Those on the ‘choice’ side fully welcome and praise Palin’s daughter for making that choice.  It’s her body and that is her right.  This is what they have been fighting and arguing in favor of for decades as well.  This is the same argument that Sarah Palin unknowingly supported when she released that statement.

There are many similarities between both sides on this debate.  Both want a reduction in abortions.  Both want a reduction in unplanned pregnancies.  Both want these things, but it’s only the Pro-Choice movements’ approach that has evidenced support of actually working.  Throughout the world, countries that have ‘Pro-Choice’ policies have less abortions.  They have less unwanted pregnancies.  They have less maternal deaths.  They have more education on the subject and they have less teenagers becoming pregnant unwillingly as a result.  This should be no surprise.

Outlawing abortion, like outlawing alcohol has shown, will only result in more people performing them in back-alleys and putting both the woman and the embryo at risk.  Those with the means and desire will still be able to fly to Canada or elsewhere to perform them.  Like everything else, it will be the poor that will be left with little recourse.  It will be they that will suffer; the ones that can afford it the least.

So… we come back to our Republican VP Nominee Sarah Palin.  We as Americans must ask ourselves: is this the woman we want in the most powerful position on this planet?  Her poor judgment and lack of real understanding on her most signature issue can only lead us to believe her approach to other, more concerning topics.  The economy, the war, the environment, foreign relations, etc. etc.

Right now, the far right is glowing and in ecstacy over her nomination and her stance on ‘abortion’.  Their misunderstanding of what’s at stake cannot cloud the judgement of the rest of this country.  It cannot, not in a time like this.  Not when so much is at stake.   Look inside and ask yourselves: is this the stance and candidate you want too?