The Abortion Access Debate

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In the grand opera of modern life, few topics strike a dissonant chord quite like abortion. It's the spicy enchilada of political debates, a topic so heated it makes global climate change seem like a chilly breeze. So, buckle up (or unbuckle, depending on your stance) as we explore this delicate dance between policy, practicality, and the occasional protest sign shaped like a uterus.

Let me start out by being very clear on my position: I. Don't. Care.

I don't care what arguments you use to justify your position on either side of this issue because I believe that both sides are wrong, and for the same reason. In the words of my favorite author: "you can twist perceptions but reality won't budge," and the reality here is that this is a "no-win" issue.

With that in mind, let's take a look at what each political party has to say about the topic of abortion access:

Republicans on Abortion

"Abortion: also called 'Human Sacrifice'"

Many Republicans oppose abortion because they believe that it is morally wrong to end a pregnancy. They believe that life begins at conception and that every human being has the right to life regardless of the circumstances of that conception. Some Republicans also believe that the government should not fund abortions, or that the decision to have an abortion should be left up to the individual and their doctor. It is important to note that not all Republicans are against abortion. However, many Republicans do support certain restrictions on abortion, such as limiting access to late-term abortions or requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions.

"We hold beliefs as a consolation, a way to take us out of ourselves. Meditation or medication, a comfort or a promised reward."

But for many conservatives (not just Republicans), it's not enough to just oppose the idea. Thanks to social media and the digital age, everyone is a critic, and opinions fly faster than a toupee in a wind tunnel. It doesn't matter how well thought-out your arguments are, or how justified you feel about your position on the issue, if you choose to saddle up and ride out to the digital frontier, expect to get into a spirited debate with your Aunt Mildred, who thinks that Facebook is the gateway to the Illuminati (whatever *that* means) and is suddenly an expert on EVERYTHING, spewing forth jargon and unsubstantiated rumors like Walter Cronkite on an Adderall bender. Just remember, it's all fun and games until someone starts quoting Leviticus.

Democrats on Abortion

"Her body; her choice."

In general, Democrats do not necessarily favor abortion, but rather they support a woman's individual right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. Most Democrats believe unequivocally, like the majority of Americans, that every woman should be able to have access to high-quality reproductive health care services which provide safe and legal abortion. As Republican-led state legislatures (like Texas) have passed laws in recent months to severely restrict or outright ban the procedure, protecting abortion rights has become an key talking point for Democratic candidates at almost all levels of government.

"Sometimes the fortress is too strong, or the love is too weak. What should have been our armor becomes a sharp and angry sword."

Make no mistake, though, being forced to make a life-changing decision like this is not easy. Enter the counselor, the wizened sage offering advice and numerous pamphlets like they were scrolls of wisdom. They're here to guide you through the maze of emotions with all of the sensitivity of a therapist and the time constraints of a microwave pizza. Expect probing questions about your feelings, your plans, and whether you've fully grasped the intricacies of reproductive biology. Their office looks like what can only be described as a Pinterest board on psychedelic mushrooms that is playing a soothing mix of Enya and whale songs to calm your nerves, because why not make it feel like a spa day?

Libertarians on Abortion

"Please explain to me using simple words why this is ANY of the government's business."

While Libertarians accept that people on both sides of this issue can hold "good faith" views ("In Good Faith" is a term that refers to a sincere intention to be fair, open, and honest, regardless of the outcome of the interaction) on this issue, we also believe that the government should be kept out of the matter leaving the question to each person for their own conscientious consideration. In other words, every person has (and should always have) the right to make decisions for themselves even if we disagree with those decisions, but the government - at any level - should have absolutely no authority or opinion on the matter.

So, why do I think that the perceptions on both side of this issue are wrong? It's called the "non-aggression principle", or NAP. It's subtle and nuanced, but it can basically be summed up as follows: "individuals have the right to make their own choices in life as long as those choices do not involve initiation or threat of force or fraud against others."

For abortion's supporters, that means that the process of fetal abortion violates the NAP by initiating force against a fetus, who has no defense against such aggression.

For abortion's opponents, that means that any rule or law denying the option for an abortion for any reason violates the NAP by requiring the woman to carry a possibly unwanted pregnancy to term, thus possibly affecting her choice of career, her income, and any possible future opportunities. And if the fetus was the result of an act of aggression itself, there is the distinct possibility of her suffering with emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress.

Both sides lose, regardless of how you twist your perceptions. It's a high-stakes game of Twister played on a minefield -- complicated, contentious, and usually absurd whether you're pro-choice, pro-life, or pro-binge-watching-Real-Housewives-while-eating-Cheetos.

"Sometimes the damage is too great, or the will is too weak. What should have been our armor becomes a sharp and burning sword."

I believe that every individual is entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and I want everyone to have the freedom to make their own decisions.

Ultimately, once someone allows themselves to step back and look at this issue without a predetermined agenda, the "heartbeat law" currently enabled within Texas (and other states') law can only be seen as a deliberate attempt by one group to force their beliefs on someone else whether the second group agrees with it or not. This is referred to as "monoculturalism" (the policy or process of supporting, advocating, or allowing the expression of the culture of a single social or ethnic group). Not only should this authoritarian mindset be unwelcome in Texas, but by legislating this specific version of morality as being superior to all others, this law is simply another example of a "prohibition law" that I believe should (very much like the 18th Amendment) be repealed.

"Our better natures seek elevation, a refuge for the coming night. No one gets to their heaven without a fight."

If we, as Texans, seek to eliminate abortion in our state, then we must make its alternatives more easily available including over-the-counter contraception options, simplifying and reducing the cost of infant adoption, as well as finding other avenues to assure the physical and mental health of those who choose to undergo any of the available processes (abortion, birth, or adoption).

"Sometimes the spirit is too strong or the flesh is too weak. Sometimes the need is just too great for the solace we seek."

And if we insist on retaining this "prohibition" law, then we need to add another law that allows the victims of this law the ability to file suit for damages (i.e., loss of career, loss of income, loss of possible future opportunities) and child support against the party that forced them into this position. After all, fair is fair.

In the end, you absolutely have a perfect right to believe whatever you want to believe, but what you don't have a right to do is to force your ideas and beliefs on anyone else, period, even through legislation.  And maybe a little Enya doesn't hurt either.

• Abortion Hypocrisy in Texas [Article Link]