Voting With Feet: How a Return to Constitutional Principles Will Help End the Abortion Controversy
Chrissy Kendall
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Opinion
In order to effect change regarding abortion, the pro-life and pro-choice groups have made loud and occasionally violent demonstrations, lobbied Congress and the court system, marched in parades, handed out pamphlets, made speeches, planned conventions and accomplished nothing. By forcing Americans to choose between the ideals the groups have hijacked, "life" or "choice", both groups are doing an enormous disservice to those who honestly desire to put an end to this debate as well as this practice.
After 30 years it is time to finally address the heart of the issue in Roe. With their decision, the Supreme Court ultimately infringed upon States' rights. Recently, States have re-committed themselves to upholding the words of the Constitution and the ideals of the Founding Fathers by drafting legislation asserting their sovereignty. According to the New Republic of February 23, 2009, 11 states have passed resolutions asserting their 10th Amendment right to be free from Federal Government encroachment. These states include Washington, Mississippi, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona and Texas. The 10th Amendment is the central question decided in Roe; whether or not the States have the right to pass their own abortion restrictions.
So what would happen if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade? Contrary to what the pro-choice community believes, (and much to the chagrin of the pro-life community), the reversal of the decision would not result in illegal abortions. Rather, this reversal would simply leave the matter to be decided by the States. The result? Americans would vote with their feet. It is well known that states like New York and California have the highest abortion rates in the Union. Therefore, in a similar manner in which people choose their homes based on school systems (suspend the irony for a second), climate and housing prices, Americans would be free to take abortion laws into consideration. Thus, Americans would still have a choice. Concomitantly, pro-life communities could draft their own abortion restrictions without censor from the government.
After 30 years it is time to finally address the heart of the issue in Roe. With their decision, the Supreme Court ultimately infringed upon States' rights. Recently, States have re-committed themselves to upholding the words of the Constitution and the ideals of the Founding Fathers by drafting legislation asserting their sovereignty. According to the New Republic of February 23, 2009, 11 states have passed resolutions asserting their 10th Amendment right to be free from Federal Government encroachment. These states include Washington, Mississippi, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona and Texas. The 10th Amendment is the central question decided in Roe; whether or not the States have the right to pass their own abortion restrictions.
So what would happen if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade? Contrary to what the pro-choice community believes, (and much to the chagrin of the pro-life community), the reversal of the decision would not result in illegal abortions. Rather, this reversal would simply leave the matter to be decided by the States. The result? Americans would vote with their feet. It is well known that states like New York and California have the highest abortion rates in the Union. Therefore, in a similar manner in which people choose their homes based on school systems (suspend the irony for a second), climate and housing prices, Americans would be free to take abortion laws into consideration. Thus, Americans would still have a choice. Concomitantly, pro-life communities could draft their own abortion restrictions without censor from the government.
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posted 1/26/10 @ 10:15 AM EST
It will not, in my opinion. No help here, sorry.
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