Obsession with abortion is crippling democratic process
Michael Julius
Issue date: 1/25/06 Section: Opinion
This past Monday, an event occurred which seemed to receive surprisingly little media coverage: the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. I found this relative lack of media coverage surprising because this case, more than any other thing, dominates American political life. No representative, senator, or president can be elected, and no high level jurist appointed, without excruciating examination about that individual's views on the Roe v. Wade decision and abortion in general. Discussions of taxes, foreign policy, and traditional civil liberties are all swept to the wayside in order to learn about this one thing-and it is a terrible disgrace that it is so. It is terrible for several reasons.
First of all, the passion attached to this decision limits the capacity for relevant and intelligent discourse on the topic of abortion as a whole. People have become so attached to their feelings about this one decision that they too often cannot get past them-and on with the other things important to this nation. This is true of both political parties and of both sides of the political spectrum-people love and hate this decision so much that they have lost the capacity to discuss it meaningfully.
Second, since the passion attached to Roe v. Wade limits our ability to discuss the decision it further limits our ability to evaluate candidates on the basis of their talents and beliefs as a whole. This can be clearly seen in the recent confirmation hearings of Samuel Alito, or in any of the confirmation hearings which have occurred over the last several decades. It does not seem to matter how qualified or intelligent a potential justice may be, but it does seem to matter if he or she might be in favor-God forbid-of overturning Roe v. Wade.
How is it that an individual can be fully qualified for a job, but unable to attain it simply because his or her view point on one issue is different than yours? Have we really become so closed-minded that we are unwilling to entertain varied views and opinions? Is it so impossible that a person may have a different view than you on abortion and still do a good job in an elected or appointed office? Is it not just as wrong to judge an individual solely on abortion as it would be to do so the basis of religion or race? The presence of Roe v. Wade has transformed many elections and other political events into debates over one issue, and thus has denied this nation the service of many talented and qualified individuals.
First of all, the passion attached to this decision limits the capacity for relevant and intelligent discourse on the topic of abortion as a whole. People have become so attached to their feelings about this one decision that they too often cannot get past them-and on with the other things important to this nation. This is true of both political parties and of both sides of the political spectrum-people love and hate this decision so much that they have lost the capacity to discuss it meaningfully.
Second, since the passion attached to Roe v. Wade limits our ability to discuss the decision it further limits our ability to evaluate candidates on the basis of their talents and beliefs as a whole. This can be clearly seen in the recent confirmation hearings of Samuel Alito, or in any of the confirmation hearings which have occurred over the last several decades. It does not seem to matter how qualified or intelligent a potential justice may be, but it does seem to matter if he or she might be in favor-God forbid-of overturning Roe v. Wade.
How is it that an individual can be fully qualified for a job, but unable to attain it simply because his or her view point on one issue is different than yours? Have we really become so closed-minded that we are unwilling to entertain varied views and opinions? Is it so impossible that a person may have a different view than you on abortion and still do a good job in an elected or appointed office? Is it not just as wrong to judge an individual solely on abortion as it would be to do so the basis of religion or race? The presence of Roe v. Wade has transformed many elections and other political events into debates over one issue, and thus has denied this nation the service of many talented and qualified individuals.