Comments on: 2008 Democratic Platform a step back on abortion

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:38:47 +0000

It all boils down to this:
Psalm 94: 20-23

By: Pauli

Pauli — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:56:55 +0000

Jeremy, of course you have a point. Many Americans on both sides of the political spectrum have incorrect attitudes toward sex. But the question is whether the Democrats/Liberals have more of the libertines on their side, esp. in the way of big funding. I’d argue that they do. There is much more pressure exerted on Repubs by groups that represent views closer to the teachings of the Catholic church on human sexuality.

I’d welcome some real competition from Democrats on this issue. I agree that many — not all — Republicans have become complacent because the Dems are heading down this ever-steepening anti-life hill with seemingly no brakes.

By: Ed the Roman

Ed the Roman — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:56:20 +0000

This is not a compromise. This is the Democrats of 1860 saying that they recognize that manumission is an option. And phrasing it to make it clear that it’s a moral coin toss between them.

By: JohnMcG

JohnMcG — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:41:52 +0000

MM,

If Obama’s trying to find a compromise is reflective of his temperament, then the result is reflective of his effectiveness.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:28:25 +0000

I’m coming to think that the real problem is that American’s attitude towards sexuality. Making contraception and sex-ed even more available probably won’t correct this problem. The real problem is that we have a ‘values-neutral’ view of sexuality. In fact, it would seem that most sex-ed programs are or are pressured to be ‘values-neutral’. By not informing our children (and showing by example) that sex is not entertainment, but instead serious business between a husband and wife, that unites them into one flesh and allows them to share in the act of creation, then we will continue to have a disordered view of sexuality that demands that abortion be available. I laugh at the term ‘reproductive right’ because it always used in the context of a singular person. It takes at least two.

By: Pauli

Pauli — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:43:12 +0000

Thanks, Policraticus, for the informative and measured analysis.

Morning’s Minion, I still have the Brooklyn Bridge for sale if you’re still interested.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:03:19 +0000

Is the Democratic Party really so debased that getting its platform to include language supporting childbirth counts as winning a concession?

By: jonathanjones02

jonathanjones02 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:28:47 +0000

The U.S. has weak political parties, as leaders are unable to discipline members for votes. From the perspective of party pressure, what is instructive even more than a platform is how members who claim on the campaign trail to be against abortion actually vote. Senator Casey is the likely the most high-profile of these officials, but he has disappointed – especially on the Mexico City policy, which prohibits federal funds to overseas groups that perform abortions.

This suggests there is strong institutional pressure.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:27:57 +0000

Morning Minion.

Please come back to the land of reality. Barack Obama is not trying to “find a compramise” between the two groups.

In 2007, Obama told the Planned Parenthood Action Fund that the “Freedom of Choice Act” would be the FIRST piece of legislation that he would sign as president…

The act would not only codify Roe v. Wade, but wipe out all current federal, state and local restrictions on abortion that pass muster under Roe, including the Hyde Amendment prohibiting federal funding of abortion. This is not the legislative priority of a man keenly attuned to the moral implications of abortion.

By: Morning's Minion

Morning's Minion — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:21:06 +0000

Here is the link: http://blogs.wsj.com/politicalperceptions/2008/08/19/the-real-story-of-the-democrats-abortion-plank/

By: Morning's Minion

Morning's Minion — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:20:48 +0000

I agree that there is some backsliding. Steve Waldman has a good account of the backstory behind the new platform as the pro-life Democrats went up against a rigid and entrenched pro-Roe lobby, and won a few concessions. The picture he paints of Obama is of somebody trying to find compromise between the two groups, which I think is reflective of his temperament,

By: Gerald A. Naus

Gerald A. Naus — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:20:24 +0000

Western European legislation ought to be replicated. Raising abortion to the Constitutional level has been a curse. I just wrote about this here: http://www.geraldnaus.com/?p=10815

Western Europe’s far lower abortion rates have to do with many factors – it’s not a free for all like in the USA, usually it’s limited to the first trimester save for grave reasons. In addition, absent the American prudishness, people are better prepared. And, gasp, there are great benefits – a year of paid maternity leave is standard. In the US, you basically are expected to give birth at the office.

Is it just me or is there a connection between a people’s religiosity and the overwhelming presence of just the vices/crimes it abhors ? The most secular (former Lutheran, usually) peoples in Europe tend to have the lowest abortion and crime rates. *scratches head*.