Elizabeth Edwards: Abortion Coverage for All

Does "pro-choice" on abortion mean that I am free to choose whether my tax money goes to pay for someone else's abortion "choice"?

Elizabeth Edwards is not really "pro-choice". She's just "pro-choice" ONLY for choices she approves of.

Yep, with the Trial Lawyers running the show, the death and destruction of babies in the U.S. will be celebrated, encouraged, law. Let's kill the babies!!!

And the Left calls Bush the murderer?

Tell you what--we won't use your taxes to pay for medical procedures if I get to not pay for anything to do with the illegal occupation of Iraq.

Every woman should be able to have safe abortion if the need arises. Just as every woman should be able to have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Women's reproductive health needs should be left to women and their physicians. And Bruce--if you get to "choose" where your tax dollars go, I would want to choose that my tax dollars DO NOT go for funding the war in Iraq!

RNC Bruce,

Count your blessings that tax dollar allocation isn't put to popular vote or it'd be you and the other 26% dead-enders putting your candy asses on line in Iraq.

Does "pro-choice" on abortion mean that I am free to choose whether my tax money goes to pay for someone else's abortion "choice"?

Elizabeth Edwards is not really "pro-choice". She's just "pro-choice" ONLY for choices she approves of.

Posted by: Bruce | July 17, 2007 11:25 AM

Bruce- Does pro-life mean I can refuse to have my tax money go to pay for enforcing the death penalty and the War in Iraq?

I would suggest most Republicans aren't really "pro-life".

This does not appear to be the right road to universal health care. The truth is that the majority of Americans believe in a woman's right to choose, but I would have to also believe that America wants abortion left as an individual decision and not part of a government entitlement.

Too bad Edwards has little or no chance of winning. Don't worry Republicans, Obama and Clinton don't have the political stones to try and pass this. Too bad, its a good idea.

Your tax money for abortions?
Does it bother you that your tax money has killed a few hundred thousand LIVE people?

Ms. Edwards is upfront with their intentions. Its not the money. The abortion issue will never be settled through legislation. The abortion issue will end in the Supreme Court. Choose the President and we choose the Supreme Court. Partial birth abortion fell as a result of the Supreme Court.

I admittedly lean to the left on most issuees, as I do on this. But not nearly as far as some.

I believe from my Catholic (and more specifically, Jesuit) education that the act of commiting an abortion is a sin. However, that decision is a personal, private matter that must be between a woman and God.

The far right, it would seem, sometimes does not understand the difference between "allowing" and "condoning". For example, it would be a sin if I was to participate in performing or even couseling a woman into having an abortion. It is "not" a sin, to allow the woman to choose to have one as long as I make clear my objection to the actual act. Nor is it a sin to support candidates who wish to uphold those rights.

(By the way, the Catholic Church supports many "left" causes the media rarely reports, such as, anti-death penalty, universal health care and immigration reform. And JPII was fully against the invasion of Iraq) But I digress.

I believe in abortion rights, however, only on a basic level. I do not agree with "partial birth" or "late-term" abortions. A woman should have freedom of choice, but she should search her conscience and make that decision relatively quickly, before the pregnancy advances.

She should not be able to carry the fetus for 8 months and then be able to just say "never mind". Unless, of course, there is a medical problem that puts the "physical" life of the woman in jeopardy. Notice I said "physical", not "mental". Mental health issues are to vaque to allow for a late term procedure.

I also believe in parental notification for minors. A minor should, however, be allowed to have another adult intercede (such as, police, clergy or dr.) if the child has abusive parents.

What we could use is a round table discussion, bringing together various leaders form religion, politics, medicine and science to try and come up with a consensus as to where life begins. You will have extremists on both sides who will never be happy, of course, but it is something that I believe could be constructive.

Finally, for any woman out there who is considering an abortion, I implore you to search your heart and CHOOSE LIFE. But whatever your decision, make sure it is one of "conscience" and not "convenience". And whatever you choose, I will pray for you and may God bless you and have mercy on you.

Elizabeth and John Edwards are baby killers pure and simple. The conniving John the trial lawyer will make us taxpayers pay for baby killing. Planned Parenthood has been crying since Bush became President because they could continue their abortion mills funded by our taxes.As a practicing Catholic shame on you Elizabeth and John Edwards and Dick Durbin who also wants abortion on demand. Jerry White, Springfield, IL

With "woman" being defined as a female child of any age. So much for me voting for Edwards, I support the right to abortion in limited cases, but I also just as firmly support the right of those against abortion to not be forced into paying for it.

It is a State issue, and there should be no public funding for abortion.

From the Simpsons -

Kang: Abortions for all!
Audience: Boooooooo!
Kang: Abortions for none!
Audience Boooooo!
Kang: Hmmmm...very well...abortions for some...little American flags for others.
Audience: yayyyyyyyyyyyyy!

EK,

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos

Steve34,

You took words and ideas right out of my mouth. I lean left and have children, I wouldnt even pretend to try and understand what a woman may go through in a decision like this. Being non-religious I would just hope she makes the best decision and understands that what she may see as a scary burden and life changing event could be the most beautiful thing she could ever produce.
Great post Steve, even from this agnostic!

Jerry White, way to show what right wing nutjobs really look like. You probably couldnt give a rats for the civilians killed in Iraq because "They all just be nasty terrorists" and you would probably get in line to pull the switch at a good ol fashioned Texas execution, Ye-Haw!, but my arent you pious when it comes to a woman and her choices!

Typical knee jerk male uber-Christian reaction to something you could never experience. Nice. You nut.

Jerry, Bruce, John D --

Can you do anything else but yell "baby killer?" What is your comprehensive recommendation for dealing with unwanted pregnancies and the consequences of children who are born to people who are parents in name only. I could respect a dialogue with somone who is loudly pro-life AND wants to talk about how our nation can better take care of the children who live on the fringes -- health care, day care, preschool education. You want to save the fetuses -- then what? I hope you spend as much time worrying about the babies after they are born than you do with developing your one-note polemics.

This does not appear to be the right road to universal health care. The truth is that the majority of Americans believe in a woman's right to choose, but I would have to also believe that America wants abortion left as an individual decision and not part of a government entitlement.

Posted by: kb | July 17, 2007 12:43 PM

here's the problem: if it isn't included in health care, how do you expect the poor to be able to pay for it? or would u rather they have the children, keep them, and then rely on your tax dollars to pay for their housing, healthcare, AND food stamps?

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i am liberal. i believe in every individual woman's right to decide what she will (or will not) do with her own body. if "god" doesn't like it, he'll deal with it when they die. everyone needs to worry about their own personal "salvation" and leave everyone else, and their choices, alone.

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I also believe in parental notification for minors. A minor should, however, be allowed to have another adult intercede (such as, police, clergy or dr.) if the child has abusive parents.

Posted by: Steve34 | July 17, 2007 2:19 PM

and what if the parents aren't "abusive" perse, but instead would force that child to have and raise the child? should that child now be punished because their mother resents them because they weren't planned?

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finally, how about we get rid of these "abstinence only" sex education programs. all that teaches our students is: grown ups don't want u having sex, so make sure they don't catch you.-- the problem with that is they wind up pregnant or with an STD because no one told them: we don't want you to do it, but if u are going to anyway (which most will) here's how to protect yourself. telling people don't do it but giving them no further information about the subject only encourages them to do it just because they were told not to, especially in the case of teenagers who live to disobey adults.

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one thing i am glad of, despite the fact that i am a liberal, is that partial-birth abortions are now illegal. it shouldn't take that long for a woman to, a. find out their is a problem with the baby or, b. decide she doesn't want to have the baby. all in all, however, the best way to cut down on abortions (which is what you righty's claim you want) is to teach women who don't want to become pregnant how not to. hiding information from there (especially when they already know its out there, and it is just being kept from them) doesn't solve any problem. that's like saying: don't talk to women about rape prevention and rape will stop happening.

Finally - Funding for Planned Parenthood. The more I read about Elizabeth, the more I like her. Planned Parenthood provides sex education and prevention for all. I would never of had to have an abortion if education and prevention would of been available to me. I was 17 and my parents and doctor told me I had to have the abortion. Years later I married my boyfriend and had two exceptional children. I don't want the government telling me what I can and can not do with my body. That is between me and my doctor. Partial Birth abortion sounds terrible, but has to be allowed to save the woman's life.

I find it interesting how the ones that think abortion should be illegal don't want to have their taxes go towards any type of social program, such as education, health and child care. But are Cheerleaders for the death penalty, war and the support of the military industrial complex! What is Pro Life about that!
Again all about the ME never the WE
It's about the Supreme Court Folks. Any further Right, No Constitution. No Rights!
Better Vote for your Best Interest and that is not Republican.
From a Past Republican.

Regarding the so called 'partial birth' abortion, which is not a medical term by the way. I very much doubt any woman carries a fetus to 8 months then just 'changes her mind'. These types of abortions are done when it is found out there is something horrible wrong with the child, or carrying it to term would endanger the mother's life. In additon, the ban that was just ruled on only applies to killing the fetus and bringing it out whole. It is still ok to cut it up inside the womb before bringing it out, thus endangering the mother more and depriving her of holding her child.

Planned Parenthood raises plenty of money to support their political stance. If they didn't have to do that, then maybe it would be unnecessary to ask for taxpayer assistance in medical procedures.

Kimberly, you do bring up some valid points. In regard to unwanted babies, there is adoption. Countless Americans look to adopt overseas. Why not right here?
As far as taking care of the children of unwanted pregnancies or those who are poor, I don't really see that as a counter to abortions. Money should not be a reason to end an life.
Education is important, from abstinence to sex with protection to personal responsibility.
AS far as parental notification, for any other medical procedure, a parent or guardian must be notified, why should abortion be any different?
Finally, I am glad you see the horror of late-term abortions. It is a vile, unnecessary procedure.

Only a religious fanatic would prevent people from having lawful medical procedures.

Steve34, Thank you for that comment. I couldn't have stated it any better, and it was exactly what I needed to read. I have felt the same way about abortion.. and for pretty much the same reasons... so it was nice to see that I am not alone.

abortion will not end until JESUS comes (2nd coming). and HE is coming soon. the abortion age will end at that time. many will lie about their involvement.

I’m strongly against abortion. But why should I buy into the Religious Right’s agenda to force this into law when many have pointed out that in the highly unlikelyhood that the supreme court would overturn itself it would still be legal in the states? I differ with the fanatical anti-abortion people who have tunnel vision and push so hard for that single issue as the defining point of their very being and existence in this world. Their overwhelming passion for this issue above all else has led them to ally with a right wing political agenda in order to get political power to legislate this. The same political right wing that is imperialistic, wages wars to no end, and actually undermines ‘family values’ by a relentless destruction middle class workers rights and benefits. So in my view there is extreme hypocrisy in being fanatically ‘pro-life’ when you support a right wing party that murders millions of people by bombing them and wars simply to extend American global dominance. This is a shame. A horrible shame! I urge you to please reconsider and dissolve all alliances with these devils disguised in sheep’s clothing. So since both the establishment parties of democrats and republicans are both way off base, not to mention the greed and corruption as well that engulfs them. I say the only ‘choice’ is to support a third party candidate such as Ralph Nadar or someone like him who is against abortion but who have the maturity to temper their passion and not forge a theocracy over it! Talk about going back to the dark ages…