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THE ATLANTIC: HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE ABORTION?

2009 March 5
tags: , ,
by sfcg

In our continuing discussion of finding common ground on the abortion debate in the United States, Ross Douthat provides an interesting point of view.  He argues that attempting to find common ground on the abortion debate is an honorable goal, and that reducing abortions should be on the Democratic agenda, but that a push for increased contraception use will not stem these abortions.  He argues that Roe v. Wade probably raised the abortion rate by 50% can that some may see this tactic of increasing contraception use as a cop-out rather than a cure.  While he disagrees with Will Saletan, who espouses the belief that if not contraception use than cultural changes have to be made in order to reduce abortions, he does recognize the need to search for common ground on the abortion issue.  He believes that the differences between them are philosophical, and cannot be bridged. 

Question to the Blogosphere:  If there are philosophical differences between individuals’ ideas of “compromise” on the abortion issue, how is it possible to find common ground?  It has been acknowledged that no one on either side of the abortion debate wants more abortions and that all prefer fewer abortions–how can we translate this into a policy that appeases everyone?  Should abortion laws be instituted on a federal or state level?  Why do you think the abortion rate is so high in the United States?  Are the parties involved in this debate willing to look at the world from the point of view of their opponents, in your opinion?

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2 Responses
  1. Ockraz permalink
    April 3, 2009

    Douthat knows whereof he speaks. If you want to hear a relatively reasonable voice which represents the pro-life perspective, then he is it. I’m happy he’ll be at the NYT now. As long as RvW’s ruling that there is a ‘constitutional’ right stands, the pro-life movement will continue to fight on the national level. It’s as simple as that.

  2. Philip permalink
    April 3, 2009

    I think that many people who are “pro-choice”, are that way through peer and political pressure. I have watched people draw back from saying something even slightly pro-life, after recieving a reaction from their peers along the lines of, “how could you possibly be so old-fashioned/conservative/….?”, and “how could you Deny a Woman her Right To Choose!!!”

    But what they never go into, is “right to choose WHAT”?

    It’s a choice of whether or not to KILL a LIVING creature. And even further, a HUMAN creature.

    when all the public “news coverage” starts doing an unbiased examination and commentary on, “what it means to be alive”, and “what it means to be human”, rather than soley on “Does it impinge upon a (so-called) right”, then the abortion issue in america would be squarely settled, on the side of banning abortions, by majority public demand.

    Sad thing is, the majority of americans dont bother to THINK through moral choices. They just memorize their party’s cheat-sheet “voting guide”, rather than think issues through themselves.
    It’s tragic, and horrific.

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