Half Full
The Observer’s Paul Harris has an interesting take on the abortion debate:
[T]he end of Roe could liberate Democrats. It will finally draw the sting out of this poisonous topic that has allowed Republicans and conservatives to portray Democrats as uncaring and unreligious. With Roe gone - and Republicans responsible for the political aftermath - Democrats can finally focus on the issues on which they want to debate: jobs, healthcare and the environment. The potential electoral benefit here could be huge. The cultural wars will have lost their biggest battleground and American politics will be the better for it.
I think that’s right. In our generally progressive urban neighborhood, oval “W” bumper stickers were inevitably accompanied by pro-life slogans back in 2004. Regardless of how you feel about the abortion issue, the country would be better served by two viable political parties. Democrats could accomplish a great deal more with that monkey off their backs.
The column is worth a read.
One Response to “Half Full”
http://www.newyorker.com/online/content/?060626on_onlineonly01
The end of Roe means states deciding whether the conditions under which a woman becomes pregnant are sufficient to provide her access to an abortion. It’s nonsense, and women are likely to die in return for the luxury of “Christian” finger-wagging.
Comment by LCB on July 1, 2006 at 4:53 pm.