Full Version: Abortion: A political Hot Potato?
My Girlfriend & I got into this discussion about abortion ...NO...IT'S NOT LIKE THAT 
...and i brought up this:
Why is it that every politician treats this subject like a hot potato? No one wants to touch this subject!
...and i brought up this:Why is it that every politician treats this subject like a hot potato? No one wants to touch this subject!
Because the country is so closely divided on this issue?
Whatever a politician says - he/she loses half the country?
Whatever a politician says - he/she loses half the country?
I think the Simpsons referenced this trepidation shown by politicians in the Treehouse of Horror VII episode. For those of you not familiar with this, Kang is an alien that everyone thinks is presidential candidate Bob Dole.
The unwillingness to speak about this is in some ways evidence of the corruption of our leaders. Too many are in it for the power and not the people. They waffle because it's easier than thinking about it and finding the words to explain ones self.
On the other hand, it comes and goes as a hot election issue. The people generally do not demand a firm answer from their candidates.
This is just my perception, but it seems as if abortion was really a back burner issue until Bush decided to make a speech at that anti-choice rally last weekend. I will be interested to see if it becomes something that will make or break one's vote in the 2004 election.
QUOTE
Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen, 73-year-old candidate, Bob Dole.
Kang: Abortions for all.
[crowd boos]
Very well, no abortions for anyone.
[crowd boos]
Hmm... Abortions for some, miniature American flags for others.
[crowd cheers and waves miniature flags]
Kang: Abortions for all.
[crowd boos]
Very well, no abortions for anyone.
[crowd boos]
Hmm... Abortions for some, miniature American flags for others.
[crowd cheers and waves miniature flags]
The unwillingness to speak about this is in some ways evidence of the corruption of our leaders. Too many are in it for the power and not the people. They waffle because it's easier than thinking about it and finding the words to explain ones self.
On the other hand, it comes and goes as a hot election issue. The people generally do not demand a firm answer from their candidates.
This is just my perception, but it seems as if abortion was really a back burner issue until Bush decided to make a speech at that anti-choice rally last weekend. I will be interested to see if it becomes something that will make or break one's vote in the 2004 election.
I don't think that abortion is ever a back burner issue. There are entire groups of people for whom that is the ONLY issue - on one side or the other.
As for the speech to the group last week, as I understand it, it is customary for the president of the United States to address the rally, on one side or the other depending upon his stance.
And, of course this issue will never be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone, so it remains a hot push button. In addition, it goes to the core beliefs of both sides.
As for the speech to the group last week, as I understand it, it is customary for the president of the United States to address the rally, on one side or the other depending upon his stance.
And, of course this issue will never be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone, so it remains a hot push button. In addition, it goes to the core beliefs of both sides.
QUOTE(Basheva @ Jan 24 2003, 11:56 PM)
Because the country is so closely divided on this issue?
Whatever a politician says - he/she loses half the country?
Whatever a politician says - he/she loses half the country?
I agree, I happen to be VERY pro-life, if someone says they are pro-choice, they lose my vote!
I hope the readers will excuse me if I don't directly address any of the previous posts. It's rather late, but I noted the topic and thought I'd weigh in briefly.
Whether pro-choice or pro-life, I'm not sure any of our political leaders need to be voicing opinions on the matter unless they can provide evidence that they even know what they are talking about. Ever since the government disbanded their scientific advising committee, I'm almost certain they have no clue what they are really talking about when they discuss anything of medical or technological relevance.
I live in Louisville, KY, and it wasn't but maybe a month ago where legislatures here got burned when a fellow law maker slipped unnoticed additions into a bill being passed -- unnoticed because they don't even take the time to read them.
I don't mind if we get the usual rhetoric about "the right to choose" or "the right to life," but I'd personally like to hear a little expertise coming from law makers who are essentially getting the final say on the matter. It's been my experience that many lawmakers haven't a clue and neither do protestors on either side of the issue.
Abortion isn't so much a political hot potato, I don't think, as it is a tool for propaganda. If the lawmaker can't persuade this or that minority, they can always fall back on "traditional favorites" such as abortion. Immediately they can call to their aid some random flocks of people, none of whom really understand the issue at hand.
Whether pro-choice or pro-life, I'm not sure any of our political leaders need to be voicing opinions on the matter unless they can provide evidence that they even know what they are talking about. Ever since the government disbanded their scientific advising committee, I'm almost certain they have no clue what they are really talking about when they discuss anything of medical or technological relevance.
I live in Louisville, KY, and it wasn't but maybe a month ago where legislatures here got burned when a fellow law maker slipped unnoticed additions into a bill being passed -- unnoticed because they don't even take the time to read them.
I don't mind if we get the usual rhetoric about "the right to choose" or "the right to life," but I'd personally like to hear a little expertise coming from law makers who are essentially getting the final say on the matter. It's been my experience that many lawmakers haven't a clue and neither do protestors on either side of the issue.
Abortion isn't so much a political hot potato, I don't think, as it is a tool for propaganda. If the lawmaker can't persuade this or that minority, they can always fall back on "traditional favorites" such as abortion. Immediately they can call to their aid some random flocks of people, none of whom really understand the issue at hand.
Abortion is not an issue that will decide my vote. I don't think it should be a political issue, but both parties have done a good job of making it one. Personally I don't think abortion is right, but I think it should be a personal decision not controlled by the govt.
This is the most hypocritical issue around, and the most emotionally charged.
One side will give the analogy,'What if a 12 year old girl was gang raped and got pregnant?'
The other will retort,'What if it's a 30 year old who sleeps around all the time with no protection and has 12 abortions?'
Very few address the REAL issue. They just argue about the ways a baby could potentially be conceived. It's used as a tool for propaganda. Hey Mr Presidential hopeful, what would YOU do if your wife/daughter/mother were raped and pregnant? It isn't respectful.
One side will give the analogy,'What if a 12 year old girl was gang raped and got pregnant?'
The other will retort,'What if it's a 30 year old who sleeps around all the time with no protection and has 12 abortions?'
Very few address the REAL issue. They just argue about the ways a baby could potentially be conceived. It's used as a tool for propaganda. Hey Mr Presidential hopeful, what would YOU do if your wife/daughter/mother were raped and pregnant? It isn't respectful.
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