Reply #309: I agree with you Demexpat [View All]

There are many Pro-Life Democrats who believe that the "choice" is made by both the man and the woman at the same time about whether they risk being a parent.

Unfortunately being forced to wear a label pigeon holes you into litmus test extremes by both sides.

Some Pro-Life Dems want to eliminate Lieberman because he's not Pro-Life enough - who thought Dems could argue from the right of Lieberman?

I do not believe in the laisser faire "choice" in order to "fix" a mistake that could derail a planned career or that this sbuject should be treated as laissez-faire. (50 points for someone who reads this post and catches the distinction of the two French terms)

I do believe that abortion is sometimes absolutely necessary, sometimes a horrifying position to be put into (such as with multiples) and that you shouldn't force someone who was unwilling to have a child, be they a minor (statutory), a victim or some other circumstance where the patient and the doctor agree is medically necessary.

I DO believe that abortion should be safe, legal and rare, because President Clinton's strategies were proven by statistics in falling abortion rates compared to Bush I, and again by rising rates since Bush II.

However, because of my strong distrust in legislating beauracracy over someone's matters, I would greatly hesitate to go beyond what Pennsylvania has on the books:

"In 1994, after years of court battles, Pennsylvania's Abortion Control Act was put into effect, requiring physicians to tell women considering abortion the risks of abortion and of carrying pregnancy to term and the probable developmental stage of the woman's fetus. Women must wait 24 hours after the informational session to have an abortion.

The act also makes it necessary for girls under the age of 18 to receive parental consent or to get permission from a judge in the case of rape, incest or the possibility of abuse. In addition, the names of doctors who performed abortions must be made available to the state and filed for public information"

To me, abortion is like a loaded gun. You don't let it lying around.

In PA you have to pass a hunter safety course before getting a hunting license.

There's a 24 hour wait on a handgun.

I'm not for overturning Roe vs. Wade, nor do I think it will be. I just think it shouldn't be over-the-counter like Excedrin.

I've never commented before on the subject because I have many ardent Pro-Choice friends not only on DU but locally as well.

My favorite Democrat in the world is Pro-Choice, Al Gore. You have to get down in my top ten until you find a Pro-Lifer, Bob Casey.

But I've cast my lot. I may lose some friends. At least this isn't my thread.