Reader Comment: A Formerly Pro-Choice Confession by Motte Brown on 09/09/2006 at 1:35 PM

First, they said it was a "blob of tissue." Then, they described it as a "potential human being." Now, most conceed human life begins at conception, but believe the decision to abort remains "between a woman and her doctor." This harsh reality, that we value personal choice more than human life, is why some remain skeptical that Roe v. Wade will ever be overturned.

In response to my previous post, A Formerly Pro-Choice Confession, Boundless reader Mike Theemling argues this very point.

After reading Motte's blog entry and wondering if America is on its way to ban abortions, I'm afraid the answer is "No." According to this article and other polls, Americans are hesitent to outlaw abortions outright despite the majority believing there should be restrictions and in fact the act itself is indeed murder.

This probably stems from our long and unique history of valuing individualism and its liberties. We believe that many decisions should be "personal choices" and not impose any rules which may ruffle too many feathers. This is especially true regarding sexual behavior.

It's true that polls show that a majority of Americans favor legalized abortion. But it's also true that this majority has declined sharply since the 1990s. And that's to say nothing of the pro-life tendencies of the next generation and the "roe effect."

However, I remain hopeful not primarily because of polls, but because it's already happening.

Earlier this year, emboldened lawmakers in South Dakota -- despite state polls on abortion similar to nationwide polls -- recently voted to outlaw abortion in all cases except to preserve the life of the mother. And if one more anti-Roe jurist joins John Roberts and Samuel Alito before this case makes it to the Supreme Court, then this law might stand.

And if this law stands, I see a public that has lost its will to mount an offensive to reinstate abortion on demand because after 33 years, America now knows that abortion is bad.

Reader Comment: A Formerly Pro-Choice Confession by Motte Brown on 09/09/2006 at 1:35 PM

First, they said it was a "blob of tissue." Then, they described it as a "potential human being." Now, most conceed human life begins at conception, but believe the decision to abort remains "between a woman and her doctor." This harsh reality, that we value personal choice more than human life, is why some remain skeptical that Roe v. Wade will ever be overturned.

In response to my previous post, A Formerly Pro-Choice Confession, Boundless reader Mike Theemling argues this very point.

After reading Motte's blog entry and wondering if America is on its way to ban abortions, I'm afraid the answer is "No." According to this article and other polls, Americans are hesitent to outlaw abortions outright despite the majority believing there should be restrictions and in fact the act itself is indeed murder.

This probably stems from our long and unique history of valuing individualism and its liberties. We believe that many decisions should be "personal choices" and not impose any rules which may ruffle too many feathers. This is especially true regarding sexual behavior.

It's true that polls show that a majority of Americans favor legalized abortion. But it's also true that this majority has declined sharply since the 1990s. And that's to say nothing of the pro-life tendencies of the next generation and the "roe effect."

However, I remain hopeful not primarily because of polls, but because it's already happening.

Earlier this year, emboldened lawmakers in South Dakota -- despite state polls on abortion similar to nationwide polls -- recently voted to outlaw abortion in all cases except to preserve the life of the mother. And if one more anti-Roe jurist joins John Roberts and Samuel Alito before this case makes it to the Supreme Court, then this law might stand.

And if this law stands, I see a public that has lost its will to mount an offensive to reinstate abortion on demand because after 33 years, America now knows that abortion is bad.