This month marks the 39th anniversary since the U.S. Supreme Court, in its Roe v. Wade decision, ruled in favor of a woman’s right to choose.
The court action struck down most state laws restricting abortion. It allowed women to make their own personal determination involving their bodies, health and futures, thereby ending the need for illegal and dangerous back-alley abortions, which figured so tragically in our country’s past.
Today this right is under renewed attack. In a right-wing feeding frenzy, candidates in the Republican primaries for president seem intent on demonstrating their determination to restrict the individual rights of women.
Mitt Romney, years ago a pro-choice advocate, has utterly reversed himself. When asked if repeal of Roe v. Wade would be a good day for America, he responded, "Absolutely." He similarly supports a constitutional amendment establishing the definition of life as occurring at conception.
Newt Gingrich, as a member of Congress, voted anti-choice 72 times out of 74 opportunities. Rick Santorum’s voting record in Congress is similar to that of Gingrich. He has said, "I would advocate that any doctor that performs an abortion should be criminally charged for doing so."
It is sadly ironic for the Republican Party, which prides itself on protecting individual rights, to be so intent on invading the individual liberties and reproductive freedom of women. This is very serious stuff and a lot is at stake.
There is no guarantee our Supreme Court in the future will uphold Roe v. Wade. The five justices appointed by Republican presidents are, as a group, not supportive of a woman’s right to choose. Of the four Democratic appointees, one of them, Ruth Ginsburg, is the oldest justice, and the need for a new appointment may occur in the next presidential term.
An appointment made by a president who has expressed opposition to a woman’s right to choose would be anathema for the women of this country, whose rights should be protected, not usurped.
Similarly, there is a threat within the U.S. Senate, which has the power of confirmation when it comes to Supreme Court justices.
Today in the Senate, there are 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans and two independents — a slim margin indeed. The reversal of this current majority may well breed a new majority that institutes anti-choice litmus tests for judicial appointments.
When viewing choice as an issue in this year’s national campaign, the voter’s choice is a simple one: Vote to keep a president who will not back down on the issue. And vote to keep a Congress that will not, through its judicial confirmation or other actions, retreat on women’s hard-earned rights.
We are once again at a surprising crossroads for women’s lives, health and rights. It is almost inexplicable that the Republican candidates running for president have driven us to this point. We need to pay attention and vote for the preservation of our rights. And we need to remember the price which so many women throughout our country paid before their rights were recognized.
