News Flash/Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse

It is probably a safe bet that most pro-lifers believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus. I'm not looking for legislation on the subject any time soon.

This illustrates an important assymetry on the two sides of this debate. Many pro-choice policies, and certainly, the most significant pro-choice policies, have been imposed by the judiciary. The democratic process has been short-circuited, because the ordinary give and take of debate has been cut off by the judiciary. Because of Roe v. Wade, a state legislature can not place limits on abortion. Because of Griswold v. Connecticut, state legislatures are limited in how they can regulate contraception. Overturning these Supreme Court rulings does not mean that either abortion or contraception would be outlawed. It would mean that the states could begin the process of deliberation that would allow them to decide what they believe is reasonable and beneficial for their community.

Contrary to Cristina's characterization, pro-life people are all over the map on the contraception question. There are some who disapprove of contraception as a life-style choice, and there are some who couldn't care less. There are some pro-life people who believe the contraceptive mentality has been destructive. I put myself in that category. There are some pro-life people who would like to ban some forms of contraception, but not others. There are some pro-life people who would ban it all the day after tomorrow if they could.

None of these people are going to automatically get their way. Every one of these groups of people recognizes that they have a responsibilty to persuade the public of their views. There is no secret pro-life cabal, plotting to take away people's diaphrams. Unless large numbers of people agree with the policy change, it isn't going to happen. And, in my opinion, it shouldn't happen.
posted by Dr J Roback Morse at 1:02 PM | link

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