>Im still working on my next post focused on unpacking pro-life, which will cover women’s issues, although I probably should focus on the economy given the recent failure of major banking and insurance industries. But I started on my research on women’s issues last week, so Im going to get that done before I move on. Im not quite done though. So, in the interim I will post this brief video I found put out by Catholic women:
They take John McCain to task for his unwillingness to truly be pro-life. What do you think?
Also, in the mean time I came across an interesting article by Steven Waldman, “a conservative Reagan administration official and leading pro-life legal scholar.” [I found this as I was searching out some more conservative view points]. He chronicles how he was publicly chastised by his parish priest and refused communion in church because he supports Barack Obama.
Waldman focuses primarily on the issue of how pro-life cannot end with birth, and makes the claim that “The irony of ironies was that my motivation for the endorsement [of Obama] was entirely Catholic. No, Obama doesn’t share the Catholic faith, but he certainly campaigns like he does. As reflected in his book, the Senator is focused on the human person, on the common good, on the social justice of economic arrangement. All is so very Catholic.”
What is also profound about Waldman’s argument (and he is a conservative legal scholar on abortion issues) is that he states “Obama’s “abortion reduction” agenda will have more impact on abortion in the short run than the traditional battles against Roe v. Wade.” This is also a great point because the real issue is “unwanted pregnancies” not “sinful” and “uncompassionate” women who need to be regulated. To actively reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies thereby reducing the want for abortion is a powerful and important step forward. It surprises me that the republican caucus has so consistently voted against legislation that will support medically accurate sex education, teen pregnancy, and access to birth control. Lets not even talk rape kits with emergency contraception.
I wish the pro-life wars would move beyond abortion (and euthanasia) only, although I urge those who are “pro-life” to not unfairly equate “pro-choice” with “pro-abortion”. It unfairly caricatures the pro-choice stance and minimizes respect for women.
>Angie:
I have not been able to find out what Obama’s Pregnancy reduction agenda is. I only found a revised plank in the democratic platform that was not and agenda but more a statement of philosophy.
i would love to read about this plan of Obamas. If it is legitimate – terrific! But i must admit, the skeptic in me suspects that it is only a political response to those that have challenged his pro-choice position.
I’m sure you can agree that much of modern campaigns (any side) is about words – without any substance to back them up.
>hi Colleen: Super quickly, Obama’s plan for the reduction of unwanted pregnancy is based on the Senate bill of which he is an original co-sponsor: the “Prevention First” Act (see Senate Bill 21 in its entirety, http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-21). This bill expands access to contraception, health information and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. The Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.
Obama has several documents out which lay out his plans at his website, which offer some pretty decent detail. You can download an overview of his plans here: http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf or go to the main page and click on issues. I think that Obama has identified some very practical solutions that can go along way in pushing us along towards a more equitable and just society, like his stance on preventing unwanted pregnancies (see bill above) or his stance on getting a college education:
“Obama and Biden will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Recipients of the credit will be required to conduct 100 hours of community service.”
These sorts of practical solutions are what I think make Obama’s words more than words. I havent scoured McCain’s website so I cannot speak to what he has made available.
I also think the value of the words of Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin campaigns as presented in these documents or the campaign trail can be best understood by their voting records and actions in the House, Senate, State Senate, Governor, Mayor as the case may be.
>Just wanted to let you know that I’ve been reading your posts with great interest. Thank you for the succinct and honest perspective!
-JuliaJoeJen
>hi jen! thanks for reading. kisses to the kiddos!