Rebecca writes here: “Feasible ways of reducing abortion should not be sneezed at.” And Brigitte writes, same post: “Why is it so difficult to find someone willing to say he or she is against abortion because it is wrong?”
What I desire is courage in politics–something along what Brigitte says–someone willing to say abortion is wrong. Or they could simply acknowledge abortion is not (for the vast, overriding majority of cases) medical treatment.
That’s why the opening line of the Libertarian policy is hard to stomach.
There’s no libertarian candidate in my riding–just the regulars plus one Marxist-Leninist. That’s a statement on the Canadian political scene right there–the only additional candidates I get in my riding are running because the mainstream left-wing, socialist-oriented, big spending parties aren’t left enough.
Rebecca’s point is a good one, too. In this climate–where courage is not evident, many don’t consider abortion wrong, or even understand what it is–an attempt to bridge the gap by defunding is a very important one. Even just saying those words. It’s a step that won’t happen, incidentally–if a small portion of “arts funding” can’t be removed without the better part of Toronto falling into a collective swoon, you can bet your bottom dollar the removal of abortion funding is beyond the pale.
Which leads me to my point all along: Addressing abortion through legislation is not the avenue I choose to fight. Many claim fighting abortion is a lost cause–clearly I don’t believe this is the case. But it’s in fighting for hearts and minds that I know we are winning. Enter the legislative arena, and it’s just one angry pro-abortion supporter after one apathetic politician after one embittered pro-lifer–all in a depressing row.
I’ll always gravitate toward the politician who exhibits great courage in the face of adversity. I don’t see it in the main candidates, and I don’t hear it from Dennis Young either. That means I vote for the least worst candidate, while holding my nose and hoping to change the culture we live in all the while, in spite of bad political choices.








Due to the general gutlessness of our elected officials, I believe that the legislation won’t change until hearts and minds change. But it’s hard to change hearts and minds when the pro-life message is so marginalized. The universities, in particular, are an absolutely poisonous environment for any person with a commitment to life.
It’s a bizarre phenomenon, that the people who are clearly on top are pretending to be oppressed and marginalized by us “anti-choicers”. Um, on what planet would that be? But that is the nature of “gender” feminism (as opposed to equity feminism) – it completely depends on the notion of women as helpless victims of the patriarchy. Strong, capable, responsible women are not welcome at the party.
Unlike Canada, abortion is actually an election issue in the US. In the Catholic blogosphere there has been much discussion about this. The Bishops have come out very strongly on the side of NO COMPROMISE. (In line with the church). Respect for Life is the very basis for all our freedoms. Without respect for life, a politician cannot be trusted to ensure ANY OTHER BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.
Because the Catholic vote is valued in the US (unlike in Canada) this discussion has crossed all party and religion lines. Everyone is involved. (NOTE TO S.H.: That’s what a discussion is all about!!!)
Of course, in the US, they actually have politicians who stand up, and voices like those of the Bishops, are not being actively repressed by gov’t agencies….
More to the point, those who actually oppose abortion (in contrast to political hacks posing) agree that abortion cannot be ended by the promotion of abortion. The F.O.C.A. , which Obama simultaneously swears he will make his first act as President, while vowing that his real aim is to reduce abortion, would make the US law creepily close to the Canadian LACK of law. The Bishops very rightly point out that this is not a move towards respect for life, but a submission to the ‘culture of death’…apparantly the dominant culture in Canada.