Discrimination?
US President Supporting Discrimination?
When I read that our new President saw fit to issue a statement supporting anti-abortion groups and when I consider his selection of such men as Tommy Thompson and John Ashcroft, I begin to fear for the poor and middle class women of our country.
Someone said that the election of George Bush could well sound the death knell for Roe v. Wade and the right of every woman to make her own choice regarding abortion. I am appalled that these men think they have the right to make decisions which have no place in the political arena. This is an intensely personal and private issue.
This is a rather nasty way to wage class warfare against middle and low income women. Make no mistake about who the real victims of a repeal of Roe v. Wade will be. Abortion … safe, medical abortions have always been available to the well to do. They either traveled abroad to a place where abortion was legal or had their doctors perform a high priced D&C. Oops … that irregular period was really a tiny bit pregnant … too bad, so sad. The middle and lower income woman has no such resource.
I am not advocating abortion. Abortion is not acceptable to me, either on a moral or religious basis. But I can only make that decision for myself. I think it is a choice to be made only as a last resort and one that is strictly between a woman and her conscience. The only other person involved would be the father of the child, if there is one willing to take responsibility. Not government!
What I am advocating is that government get out of the business of telling people what their values should be and enforcing their decisions by discriminatory laws. Discrimination on the basis of sex is a crime under Federal statute. A repeal of Roe v. Wade is discriminatory in that it is aimed solely at denying women safe medical treatment for the termination of pregnancy. How can any government deny medical treatment to its citizens? How dare they make it public policy that you only get treatment if "they" approve the reason you want or need treatment?
If you believe I am being just a little dramatic about this, take a look at the early actions of the new administration ... a statement of support to the so-called pro-life advocates and a ban on international aid for abortion counseling and treatment. For more information, see New administration changes balance of power on abortion issue . They call themselves pro-life, but one wonders what kind of life they are condemning others to? What happened to that moderate position that was stated time and time again during the campaign? It seems this is just another instance of a politician saying anything to get elected and then pursuing his own personal agenda regardless of the rights and wishes of the people.
Peggy Erickson
02/15/01
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