A modest proposal to eliminate abortions
I have a modest proposal to solve the abortion dilemma, but first we need to understand the background.
All six of the so-called “conservative” Supreme Court justices are current or former members of the Federalist Society, founded in 1982 by right-wing lawyers who desire to eliminate any right not explicitly stated in the Constitution. This not only subjugates women, but also opens the flood gates to take away many of what we tend to consider our rights. The “right” to privacy, to marry whom you chose, access to contraception and school integration could all be eliminated using the same arguments for striking down the Roe vs. Wade precedent.
In the emotionally-charged reaction to the abortion issue, these larger implications of the Court’s majority position are likely to be overlooked. Almost no “right” is explicitly spelled out in the Constitution. There is no explicit right to private ownership of guns. The meaning of bearing arms as part of a militia is dependent on the interpretation of the Supreme Court. What the Court gives, the Court can take away.
Also, let’s be clear, the anti-abortion movement never was and is not all about the “sanctity” of human life. It is based on politics and power related to women. The so-called “pro-life” proponents have never shown interest in life post-birth. The United States has the highest maternal death rate in the developed world. One of the most life-threatening things a woman can do in the U.S. is taking a pregnancy to term. Likewise, the anti-abortion movement doesn’t care about babies. The U.S. has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Of 36 developed countries only three have higher infant mortality rates than the U.S. To my knowledge, no anti-abortion leader or movement has championed either maternal health or childcare. Once you are born, there seems to be no “sanctity” of life.
The states trying to outdo each other in passing the most restrictive pregnancy laws tend to be the same states who kill adults via capital punishment. If human life is so sacred, what gives the government the right to decide whether someone should be killed?
Mother Nature is the most prolific abortionist that laws cannot stop. About 15% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Given that many miscarriages occur before the woman realizes she is pregnant, the natural abortion rate is probably closer to 20% — one in five conceptions.
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On a positive note, I have a modest proposal that would eliminate the need for abortions performed by people. Since the Supreme Court ruling makes it clear that the government can take charge of a person’s body when pregnancy would be involved, the simple solution is to require every post-puberty male to have a reversable vasectomy.
Medical science has reached the stage where a valve could be inserted into the vas deferens instead of cutting the tube and removing a section as is done with a permanent vasectomy. Thus, the reversable vasectomy would eliminate all teen pregnancies and “accidents” among adults. When a man and his partner wished to have children, he would simply have the valve opened during the time they wished to conceive children. As a hedge, sperm could be stored prior to the reversable vasectomy as an additional precaution.
Having had a vasectomy decades ago, I can attest to the fact that the procedure done by a properly trained surgeon is virtually painless. There is the admonition to abstain from strenuous physical activities for a few days. A vasectomy has no effect on sexual performance. In fact, without the worry of pregnancy, partners might enjoy a more fulfilling relationship.
I am sure the men of the United States (especially those in the anti-abortion movement) would be more than willing to step up for a reversable vasectomy given the peace of mind it would afford. Additionally, it would save women from having deal with the abortion question.
(Dr. Norm Hoffman is a semi-retired clinical psychologist living in Waynesville. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)
