The Abortion Issue in the Coming Election (November 2022)

 

The November (2022) election is near. And, to say that this election is important might very well be something of an understatement.

What about me? What do I think? I am starting to lose faith in the American voters. Why? Well, there is ‘inflation,’ ‘unprecedented increases in crime,’ ‘overwhelming illegal immigration, ‘fentanyl overdoses in hundreds of thousands; stock market and retirement funds collapsing in value; and the voting public, it seems, are preoccupied, and divided by the issue of ‘abortion.’  There for, the abortion issue might decide the election outcome.

OK, let us consider the abortion issue:

Recently, The U.S. Supreme Court found Roe v. Wade to be unconstitutional. And that, the question of abortion rights, or lack thereof, should be decided by each State.

Hardly, a crisis in Oregon; but many think it is… or more likely they wish to make it a crisis. I am in Oregon, so I would like to give you a little history of abortion in this state:

1969:  Oregon became one of the first states to legalize abortion. SB 193 legalized abortion during the first 150 days of pregnancy (5 months). Under the following circumstances:

*The baby has a physical or mental handicap

*The baby was conceived by rape or other criminal intercourse (to include statutory rape, prostitution, incest, etc.)

*The pregnancy poses a substantial risk to the mother’s physical or mental health.

1973:  Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton established abortion on-demand in America from conception to birth.

1983:  SB 397 repealed the 1969 law, along with all restriction on abortion. The bill was passed for the expressed purpose of protecting unrestricted abortion in Oregon if Roe/Doe were ever overturned.

2017:  HB 3391 forces insurance companies operating in Oregon to fully cover abortion procedures with no co-pay or deductible. The law also expanded taxpayer funding of abortion, effectually making abortion free in Oregon.

MY OPINION:  It is very unlikely that abortion would ever be entirely banned in Oregon; but if common decency were to prevail, some restrictions would/should be made.

In my opinion, only a fanatical proponent of eugenics or a sociopathic personality would promote the killing of a baby at the moment of birth. Is there anyone among us that cruel, that insensitive? Yes, of course there are people like that. On the other hand, most believe, under certain circumstances, abortion is warranted. And, most also believe there are other more humane guidelines to limit abortion.

I believe that an abortion should be available, with restrictions incorporated. The 1969 law, modified in some respects by medical professionals, might be a place to start. Unrestricted abortion, to me would be, and is, unconscionable.