Abortion Politics

I looked at a Survey USA poll of all states on the issue of abortion done 9-15-05. Only 13 states have a pro-life majority. Here's the list of what states they are. Utah, Louisiana, Arkansas, Idaho, Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, South Dakota, Missouri, and Oklahoma. (They are all fine states that lead the nation in low poverty, low divorce rate, high qualities of education, low infant mortality, and standards of living. NOT!) The poll stated that the Weighted average was that the American public was 38% pro-life, 56% pro-choice.('Weighted Average' means each state is weighted proportionally to its share of USA population. For example,California, the most populated state, is given 71 times the weight of WY the least populated state, in a weighted avg.)Unweighted average is 41% pro-life, 54% pro-choice.('Unweighted Average' means each state is given equal weight; population density is not taken into account).

Here is the link to the survey:
http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2005/50StateAbortion0805SortedbyProLife.htm

American politics have been split since the Abortion issue was primarily settled in the court with Roe vs. Wade. Because it was settled in the courts rather than in the political arena, conservatives have been battling to stack the court system with pro-life judges. It has also caused social conservatives to form a political coalition with economic conservatives. Thomas Frank discusses how the pro-life movement is willing to sacrifice the economic well-being of its members to advance the pro-life cause in "What's the Matter with Kansas?" Now social conservatives are getting close to getting a pro-life majority on the Supreme Court, but economic conservatives and social moderate republicans are less than enthusiastic. They know that if the abortion is overturned and social conservatives get their way, the republican coalition is shattered. In addition, pro-choice forces will be mobilized and single females will turn out and vote democratic for a generation. So it is in the economically conservative and social socially moderate republicans to never resolve the abortion issue. Perpetual abortion political warfare is their goal.

What should Democrats do? Well, they should shatter the republican party by calling for a national referendum on abortion. Lets settle the issue politically by a vote. No more talk about "activist judges", no more code speak and references to Dread Scott. Put the referendum on the 2006 midterm ballot. Let the will of the people speak. If the majority wants pro-choice laws, than we will all know the pro-life judges are the "activists judges."

Come on republicans, let's take the Pepsi challenge and resolve the Abortion issue now. What's more American than voting. Unless of course, you know you will lose. Which is exactly what will happen.