Pro American Choice

I was at a conference the other day where the presenter was talking about his experience in surgically treating broken shoulders. He kept referring to procedures he had tried and subsequently “aborted” for one reason or another. It got me thinking that this was perhaps one of only a couple of venues in which a person can reference having “aborted “ without facing objection or assault.  That said, it did get me thinking about the more widely relevant and controversial subject of abortion, the medical procedure, in the U.S. today.

I’m old enough to remember when abortion became legal in the U.S. I also remember hearing about women going to Mexico to “get taken care of.”  In my recollection, the legalization of abortion was met by something of a collective sigh of relief—at least in my California corner of the world.

Now it seems the procedure is under attack as an affront to Christianity, family values, and the moral fiber of this country. Abortion is felt by a fairly active group of people to stand in direct opposition to “God’s plan.” Many candidates, always fiercely fighting to gain office and avoid having a real job, are quick to buy in and sign on with those who equate abortion with a pernicious parasite eroding Christianity, the American family and, by association, the country itself.

But, I was thinking about all this while seated in the Denver International Airport. I was thinking about this while I was looking around at a collection of people from all over the world, of several different races, and in all probability, of just as many varied perspectives and social mores, sexual preferences, and a good number of faiths-- or non-faiths. And somehow, by some miracle of ignorance or tolerance, we were all sitting around eating lunch, buying souvenirs and magazines, and coming and going.  And isn’t that what makes this country great? Peaceful coexistence.

As we arrive at election day, I wonder how many voters will have that in mind? How many voters will use this election to advance their religious or personal moral agenda? And, by contrast, how many will use this election to make a stand for tolerance, diversity, and opportunity—the very composition that has made this country the envy of the world.

I saw a billboard on the highway that featured a photo of a toddler with a circle and diagonal line through the image. The caption said something to the effect that Obama’s healthcare reform funds abortion. And maybe it does. For me that’s not really the point. In fact, it’s not the point at all. If an American citizen stands opposed to a woman’s right to choose abortion then that person has an obligation to educate and advocate for alternatives. That’s your right as an American. But to use an election to advance one’s own narrow personal agenda, one which restricts and curtails the personal rights of others, well that is the very definition of un-American.

There’s all kinds of craziness in this country. We can spend from dawn to dusk pointing fingers, picking up the banner, deriding and attacking the choices of others. But in the end it’s all personal in this country. And that's what makes so many others in this world want to come to this great country-- the opportunity to maintain their personal freedom.

I'm voting to keep it personal. I’m more than willing to give you room. All I ask is you do the same for others.