2008 Woodie Awards
Roe v. Wade debate tired, irrelevant to politicians
Abortion issue settled by courts decades ago, has no place in elections
Darren Price
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Viewpoints
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Roe v. Wade dived the country politically - 35 years ago. The Supreme Court ruled in the 1973 case that abortion before the 24th week of pregnancy is legal. For some reason, however, abortion remains to this day a source for political contention. There is little doubt that when the eventual presidential nominees emerge, they shall surely try to use the other candidate's opinion on abortion against them as if the courts were still battling over the issue.
In this day and age, whether a candidate is "pro-life" or "pro-choice" is as inconsequential as their favorite Bee Gees song. Barring a constitutional amendment or another historic court case, Roe v. Wade will not be overturned.
Why then is it so necessary in elections? Why not spend time debating upon more pertinent issues? Health care in America needs immediate attention, as thousands of citizens go every day without insurance and proper care. Iraq has become a Vietnam-esque quagmire, and violence has once again erupted in Africa.
Why, with so many more important and current issues, is it so necessary for the of abortion to occupy such an important part of America's political psyche?
Abortion finds its way onto dinner tables, as families argue over the issue. It finds its way into the media, be it through reporting, film or television sitcoms. USC students surely receive adequate exposure to the issue through this very newspaper - there is seldom a week where abortion fails to find its way into the Viewpoints section.
The "pro-life" vs. "pro-choice" debate has become tiresome and old. "Pro-Lifers" and "Pro-Choicers" are going to stay as such. Their squabbling is going to keep the apathetic just that way. If there is no way to change minds and there are far more important issues to discuss, then why do we always gravitate back towards abortion?
I know this is not going to be the last abortion-related column ever written, and I know the debate is not going to just suddenly end, but perhaps instead of finding some new spin to support a "pro-whatever" stance, be it one of Martin Luther King's relatives, some new political whiz or a Bible verse, time could be spent debating an issue that was not been decided upon 35 years ago.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
c-dog
posted 2/13/08 @ 9:50 AM EST
Abortion will always remain a decisive factor in campaigns for two big reasons: (1) the President nominates Sup Ct justices, who have already significantly altered Roe v Wade in Casey v. (Continued…)
paul
posted 2/13/08 @ 11:20 AM EST
Abortion, what is the word meaning. Well for those who think of it in political matters, should regain some of their sanity. For those who think of it as a moral issue, well this is a possibility. (Continued…)
Jamie Black
posted 2/13/08 @ 10:59 PM EST
If one accepts that a unique and valuable human person exists at conception as many Americans do, more innocent people are killed every day in this country than in the 9/11 attacks. (Continued…)
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