(a) Fetus should be free to have “life” under the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bible (Exodus 20:13, “Thou shall not kill”);
(b) Woman should be free and have “liberty” under the same principles so she can choose whether to carry a fetus, give birth, and be a parent
(a) Woman is vulnerable (economically and/or subject to abuse, and her liberty is at stake);
(b) Fetus is vulnerable (its life is at stake)
(a) States have an interest in and power to protect their citizens, so long as due process of law is met;
(b) Federal courts uphold constitutional rights of all parties
This issue forces the most complex balance between three principles, as well as involving the difficulty of balancing the freedoms of multiple parties and determining who is most vulnerable. (See above principles.)
The ultimate tough issue is abortion, also known as the choice issue, depending on who you ask. But this is a problem that can, in fact, be fixed to the satisfaction of most people.
With the end of Roe v. Wade, we now will see the abortion tail viciously wagging 50 state dogs. We urge the U.S. Congress to negotiate a resolution to the problem instead. Blessed are the peacemakers.
Experts are predicting the Supreme Court’s prior rulings that have legalized abortion will be overturned through the upcoming decision in a case argued Wednesday. What will and should be next for the complex issue of choice/abortion in America?
Do we need a federal abortion law? If America had such a law, what choices could it allow? We explore those difficult political questions using principles.
Today, we wade into the deep issue of abortion (or the choice issue, if you prefer), using principles, as always, for a lifeboat in which we can row out.
