The Democratic Party and Abortion

[bryant69]

Poll question: The Democratic Party and Abortion

Inspired by a discussion on another poll, I'm not as curious about what our exact position on Abortion should be. I'm more interested in how closely all party members should adhere to that position, and how important the issue is to the party (which seem to me to go hand in hand).

Bryant
check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Dhalgren]

1. A citizen's freedom to make his or her own medical

decisions without government interference is a civil rights issue. This cannot really be an "either/or" issue within the Party and the Party retain its principles. If women do not have the right to make their own medical decisions, then they are not free and are not full citizens. It is that straight forward to me.

[sybylla]

4. Agreed!

It's a civil rights issue all the way and cannot be negotiated out of the platform as far as I am concerned. The day the Democratic party stops being the party of civil rights is the day I stop being a Democrat.

[renaissanceguy]

8. Without the right to one's own self-determination,

one essentially has no rights at all.

Take a human rights or feminism class. You will see that abortion is more complicated/vital an issue than you think.


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/472476

[sui generis]

2. I really personally hate the idea of abortion regardless of trimester

but I hate the idea of telling another human what they can and can't do with their body even more.

I am completely opposed to anything other than very early term abortions (with exceptions for critical medical reasons), but I also think that each case should be evaluated on its own merits, without sweeping laws.

Whether it should be a make or break issue for the democratic party: I hope not. It is an important issue since it deals with individual choice, but it is certainly not the most important issue that we face as a society, especially since it impacts so few of us in any personal way.

[noamnety]

3. It's a civil right

and therefore nonnegotiable.

It doesn't matter if it affects 1 person or a thousand. It doesn't matter if it affects me personally. That's the beauty of civil rights.

[HereSince1628]

5. I'm willing to accept that all democrats aren't going to agree

Personally I am pro-choice and I hope that a majority of the party backs that position forever.

But I recognize that the debate over abortion results in the potential opposition of very basic and cherished values.

That helps me to understand why it remains a debate of both great emotion and importance.

[imenja]

6. why should dissent be quieted?

The party is for choice, but if some members disagree with that position, it is their right to say so. I'm not interested in being part of some totalitarian cabal.

[Swamp Rat]

7. I like to vote...

and I unconditionally support women's right to choose.