I checked back to proudly and vainly reread this morning's post (and, let's be honest, to see how many visitors had seen it) and I feel the need to clarify that I don't find reproductive rights to be a "dumb issue." I kind of made it sound that way, I thought. It - like many, many other things - is very important and worthy of thought and discussion. It's only a dumb issue when it is seen as the only issue or the most important issue.
Think of presidential administrations and vice presidencies as far back as you can recall, and try to name some ways that the opinions of those leaders on abortion affected the impact they had during their time in office. Has Dick Cheney's vice presidency been defined in any way by his beliefs on abortion? Would the last eight years have been different if he believed otherwise? How about Al Gore before him? (I mention the vice presidents because the article that set me off this morning was about potential running mates for McCain.)
In the scheme of what needs to be dealt with day-to-day in the White House, the Old Executive Office Building, the Capitol Building and Congressional office buildings, this issue is one of millions, and is not of a greater magnitude than many of its peers. Belief to the contrary has resulted in the unbelievably insane weight given to this issue in nominating and comfirming Supreme Court justices.
I may have more on this at another time, and I'm sure I'll comment on related issues as the election draws nearer. The staff here at ZiggyBackRide certainly welcomes and encourages your comments.
In other news that is slightly related to the last couple of posts, have you seen the pictures of President Bush with the women's beach volleyball team? Absolutely priceless. If I can, I'll post photos - or a link to some - here.
Showing posts with label abortion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abortion. Show all posts
Friday, August 15, 2008
It's A Million Other Things, Stupid!
One of the lead news stories that popped up on my internet home page this morning talks about whether a certain vice presidential nominee would kill John McCain's chances in this November's election. The following is an excerpt from that story:
"...McCain’s comments Wednesday to the Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes that former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge’s pro-abortion rights views wouldn’t necessarily rule him out quickly found their way into the in-boxes of Christian conservatives. For those who have been anxiously awaiting McCain’s pick as a signal of his ideological intentions, there was deep concern that their worst fears about the Arizona senator may be realized..."
Their worst fears? Are you kidding me? Is this what we're doing? AGAIN?!?
There is no bigger waste of time and energy in American politics than the abortion debate. Is it interesting to talk about? Yes. Is it really important to individuals who are or who could be faced with an unwanted pregnancy? No doubt. Is it it the most pressing issue that our next President will address? Absolutely not. Should it be? Absolutely not.
That so many people across the political spectrum have bought into the idea that this issue is so much more important than all others is incredible to me. We are at war. We are very likely in a recession. Social Security is in serious trouble. Health care is beyond the means of many in an aging population that will, increasingly, require access to it. These are just a few of the actual, everyday issues that legitimately affect citizens and the continued well-being of this nation. The idea that many vote (or don't vote) based solely on where candidates stand on abortion rights is absolutely appalling* to me.
Forget about it! Or at least put it into perspective. Look at the candidates and decide who might make the best leader for our country and our citizens, and for ALL of the issues that we do and will face. If you are passionate about the abortion issue, that's fine. Admirable, even. Just don't let it blind you to the real jobs of our elected officials, the real questions we need to answer, and the real tasks that await us.
I'll never forget the day I was campaigning at a local polling place for a candidate for Shelby County Commissioner (a member of the board of commissioners that vote on county budget, land use issues, etc.) and a woman stopped to talk with me. She was concerned because she had heard that my candidate was pro-choice. It took every ounce of restraint that I could muster to refrain from (1) raucously laughing in her face, and/or (2) grabbing her, shaking her, and yelling at her to use her brain as I explained to her that the county commission isn't - during this 4 years or any other - going to be deciding the abortion issue!
I'll say it again: There is no bigger waste of time and energy in American politics than the abortion debate. Think what you will about it, consider it amongst many issues, discuss it with your friends every now and then, but use your brain and open your eyes to what we really need... in our leaders and in our lives.
*appalling = appalling
"...McCain’s comments Wednesday to the Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes that former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge’s pro-abortion rights views wouldn’t necessarily rule him out quickly found their way into the in-boxes of Christian conservatives. For those who have been anxiously awaiting McCain’s pick as a signal of his ideological intentions, there was deep concern that their worst fears about the Arizona senator may be realized..."
Their worst fears? Are you kidding me? Is this what we're doing? AGAIN?!?
There is no bigger waste of time and energy in American politics than the abortion debate. Is it interesting to talk about? Yes. Is it really important to individuals who are or who could be faced with an unwanted pregnancy? No doubt. Is it it the most pressing issue that our next President will address? Absolutely not. Should it be? Absolutely not.
That so many people across the political spectrum have bought into the idea that this issue is so much more important than all others is incredible to me. We are at war. We are very likely in a recession. Social Security is in serious trouble. Health care is beyond the means of many in an aging population that will, increasingly, require access to it. These are just a few of the actual, everyday issues that legitimately affect citizens and the continued well-being of this nation. The idea that many vote (or don't vote) based solely on where candidates stand on abortion rights is absolutely appalling* to me.
Forget about it! Or at least put it into perspective. Look at the candidates and decide who might make the best leader for our country and our citizens, and for ALL of the issues that we do and will face. If you are passionate about the abortion issue, that's fine. Admirable, even. Just don't let it blind you to the real jobs of our elected officials, the real questions we need to answer, and the real tasks that await us.
I'll never forget the day I was campaigning at a local polling place for a candidate for Shelby County Commissioner (a member of the board of commissioners that vote on county budget, land use issues, etc.) and a woman stopped to talk with me. She was concerned because she had heard that my candidate was pro-choice. It took every ounce of restraint that I could muster to refrain from (1) raucously laughing in her face, and/or (2) grabbing her, shaking her, and yelling at her to use her brain as I explained to her that the county commission isn't - during this 4 years or any other - going to be deciding the abortion issue!
I'll say it again: There is no bigger waste of time and energy in American politics than the abortion debate. Think what you will about it, consider it amongst many issues, discuss it with your friends every now and then, but use your brain and open your eyes to what we really need... in our leaders and in our lives.
*appalling = appalling
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