How I Answered a "Right-to-Lifer's" Questionnaire
It's the Religious, Stupid
One of my Conservative pals sent a questionnaire around to a bunch of us fellow old guys. Here's how I answered the 10 questions. (I'm sure you are breathless to hear.)
The Abortion Questionnaire
Q #1: When does life begin?
Olde Scooter: Life is ongoing. Egg and sperm are both alive. A fertilized egg is alive. Moot question, unless you mean that moment when “God places a soul in the zygote,” a purely religious concept, so it depends on what your belief is, and it is only that — a belief. Others have different beliefs, but yours prevail?
Q #2: When are human rights (right to life and the protections of the Constitution) conferred upon a fetus?
Olde Scooter: A legal question. Depends on what the applicable laws are in the various political entities.
Q #3: Who has the moral and legal right to end that life?
Olde Scooter: The mother, or a doctor following either medical necessity or the mother’s decision.
Q #4: Should the 'impregnators' (fathers) have any say in whether the woman they have impregnated receives an abortion
Olde Scooter: Not unless he is legally compelled to provide full support for mom and child for 21 years, and even then, the mother’s decision prevails.
Q #5: If not, why not?
Olde Scooter:_See #4 answer.
Q #6: If abortions are legalized in your state should there be limits (first, second or third trimester) on when abortions may be performed?
Olde Scooter: The New Mexico limitations suit me fine.
Q #7: Should under-age pregnant women be required to get a medical release from their parents before they can receive an abortion?
Olde Scooter: Hell no. (If you think zygotes have rights, how is a teen not worthy of her privacy rights?)
Q #8: If not, why not and if there are exceptions what are they?
Olde Scooter:_If the minor’s life is endangered by the procedure, the parents could be advised.
Q #9: Should federal or state funds be used to defray the costs of travel and hotels for women seeking abortions in states other than their own states of residence?
Olde Scooter: Absolutely, to counteract the fact that women of limited means are overwhelmingly more impacted by this prohibition on bodily autonomy. (Would “means testing” make you feel better?)
Q #10: Should taxpayers who object to state-supported abortions be able to opt out of paying state income taxes to states that are performing abortions at state-run or taxpayer-funded clinics/hospitals?
Olde Scooter: Should I be able to opt out on, say, the top $3 billion on the annual Pentagon budget? NO, in both cases. This state-by-state difference in abortion laws doesn’t imply blue-staters have an opt out option. The whole “why should I pay for other peoples’ kids’ education?” argument rewritten.
After I happily filled it out (I love questionnaires), I was moved to hammer home my answer to Q1.
( I hate theocracies)
I drew a historical parallel.
A large part of the movement calling for the prohibition of alcohol was driven by religion. This is even apparent in the name of the main agenda pushers – Women’s ChristianTemperance Union (WCTU). Liquor was seen as something that destroys the values of the church and is ultimately a sin.
We all know how that worked out.
Your pal,
Olde
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