How about a Constitutional Amendment?

[Norquist Nemesis]

Let's see...the anti-Democrats have proposed limiting the right of free speech by pushing a Constitutional Amendment that burning the flag is desecration and should not be tolerated. They also are in the process of trying to gather steam to ban homosexual marriage by putting forth an Amendment that marriage is only between one man and one woman.

I propose a Constitutional Amendment to guarantee the right of making medical and reproductive choices to the individual.

[Greybnk48]

1. Brilliant!!

It well past time for an amendment of this sort.

[Hosnon]

2. I agree - let's just 'Constitutionalize' Roe v. Wade and basically

say that it is solely about privacy up to the 1st trimester and then a maternal health / state responsibility issue after that.

Roe seems extremely reasonable to me...

[MisterLiberal]

4. Nope

If we do that then they would say we are admitting that it's not a Constitutional right NOW.

[Hosnon]

5. Not really. It is a constitutional right now by implication. It is not

expressly stated in the Constitution - this leaves the door open for debate and interpetation.

I believe the right is there but the best way to be sure it is never judged not to be is with an amendment.

[MisterLiberal]

9. Well, I disagree with you

I believe it is in the Constitution once the Supremes have recognized it.

Unless you're saying that the Court isn't the final word on the Constitution, there's nothing Shrubbie and his Congressional cronies can do!

Which is why it is SO IMPORTANT that we pull out ALL of the stops with Roberts!

[Hosnon]

10. I agree with you that the Court is the final word on the Constitution...

However, that Court changes. A new Court could rule the opposite way that the previous Court did, especially regarding aspects that are implied and not expressed in the Constitution.

An amendment would make it more difficult for a later (perhaps more Conservative) Court to erode the Right to Privacy.

[Ravenseye]

3. Necessary

I hope to see an ammendment along those lines. Sort of a Medical/Reproductive/Genetic privacy act.

Something that allows an invidivual to make all choices about their own body and keeps that material private and unable to be used in any situation for testemony, or access to services based on their medical situation/choices or genetics.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

7. Now that's a well-worded proposal

Medical/Reproductive/Genetic privacy act

It also relates to the Schiavo case.

[endarkenment]

6. A broader right to privacy would be better

That way it would encompass all medical decisions including schiavo and medical marijuana and could not be framed as the 'baby-killer ammendment'.

[Hosnon]

8. Yes that would be good. It may be good practice in this country to start

amending the Constitution after implied rights have been firmly established in the courts.