Bernie Sanders
Related: About this forumThe pro-life case for Bernie Sanders
by Joel
Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement for Bernie Sanders. It is merely an attempt to show there are multiple ways to approach a pro-life stance without banning abortion.
The American tradition of trying to pick our next president well over a year before the election is in full swing. Still months away from a primary candidates are already coming out of the woodwork and, true to form, appealing to the most extreme in their respective groups (or in the case of Donald Trump, the most extreme are running for president).
Still, the one candidate who has my attention is Bernie Sanders. No other candidate really grabs my attention, makes me think, or dare I say it excites me and gives me hope. While Im not a Democratic Socialist (as I think Socialism is only slightly better than Capitalism), I do think what he offers is vastly closer to my own economic beliefs than any other candidate. His stance on war and diplomacy is a breath of fresh air. While hes not middle class, hes also not a millionaire or billionaire, meaning hes closer to the struggles of the middle class than anyone out there. Essentially, for all intents and purposes, Sanders is kind of my dream candidate, except for one thing:
Hes very pro-choice while Im very pro-life.
And when it comes to matters of life its not exactly a small issue. While Im not a one-issue voter, voting on life is more important than taxes or even income inequality. And we cant hide behind the excuse that since Roe v. Wade will most likely never be overturned, it doesnt matter who we elect; the president can hand out executive orders concerning abortion. A pro-life president can make abortion restrictive while a pro-choice president can loosen restrictions. So it does matter.
How, then, can someone who is pro-life such as myself (rabidly so I might add), support Bernie Sanders without any sense of cognitive dissonance?
more (good read)
http://thechristianwatershed.com/2015/08/31/the-pro-life-case-for-bernie-sanders-or-the-one-in-which-i-anger-everyone/
note I am not the author
Demeter
(85,373 posts)not driving on all four wheels, if you know what I mean.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)I felt the author made some very good points.
nxylas
(6,440 posts)For decades, the Republicans have kept the people who have been most hurt by Republican policies on the reservation by yelling "but abortion!" at them. If red state evangelicals are starting to pay attention to the man behind the curtain, this doesn't bode well for the GOP.
Dems to Win
(2,161 posts)dae
(3,396 posts)Some are starting to wake up. Pro-Life does NOT end at birth!
TexasBushwhacker
(20,190 posts)Since most abortions in the US are for financial reasons, the need for abortions will not change as long as the economy sucks for the 99%. Education, free highly effective birth control (like IUDs and implants), higher wages, maternity and sick leave, affordable childcare - all of these things matter.