Roe V. Wade: An "At Risk" 33-Year Position that May Need Updating

No great surprise, this Sunday's Projo had not one single item addressing Roe on its 33rd anniversary today despite the fact that two-thirds of Rhode Islanders support choice. This is why I also subscribe to the New York Times. There are many occasions when others say it best - this is one of them. The authors William Saletan and William Baude share some salient, proactive thoughts that we who oppose Alito may want to consider if conservatives succeed in controlling our Supreme Court and his nomination is ratified. The issue both sides ought to agree upon is that fewer unwanted pregnancies is best.

It's unfortunate these ideas were not publicly or widely advertised by Planned Parenthood, NOW, Center for Reproductive Rights or NARAL or other groups who seek to achieve equality for women and keep government out of our bedrooms. I say “women” not out of gender bias, but simply because men don't get pregnant.

First, I think many agree that controlling reproductive rights is about as idealistic and practical as demanding abstinence. We don't need moral beliefs to become legislated. I think women, as well as men, should be trusted to make good choices. Just think 150 years ago slavery was a moral battle that cost thousands of lives. Interestingly, many people from states that supported slavery now often use religious morality to argue against choice. Clearly, morality often crosses the boundary of church and state. Any implementation of restrictions would force a state by state definition of what women can and cannot do. Those who disagree with more restrictive state laws are simply likely to travel to more lenient states to circumvent them, which in turn will likely impose Draconian, long-arm restrictions and penalties on women's interstate travel.

In places such as England, the issue did not focus on a women's right to choose, but how to minimize unwanted pregnancies in the first place. I ask that we choose not to grow complacent, which only defers dealing with these problems. Increasing awareness of the choices available before and after pregnancy such as contraception and morning after pills is ideal. This type of family planning is a moral balance upon which most can agree. In order to achieve this reasonable and noble goal there must be protection of the Title X federal funds and adequate access to healthcare through to the point of the choice of delivery and adoption.

I'd rather see this option than the more costly one where our courts are overwhelmed with new disputes and our often fumbling, predominantly male politicians get their mitts on the issue and start setting patch work policies that will certainly do more harm to women than less.