Rep. Tim Ryan: My Plan for Common Ground on Abortion

I agree that people need to be more responsible. But I completely disagree that a woman or child should be forced to carry to term a child she knows she can't take care of. Since when are the rights of the mother not taken into account? She is still after all the primary caregiver.

In all these facts and statistics, I haven't read any comments about the role of the father in procreation. Oh' I've heard about "father's rights" and in some cases, it's a legitimate point, but not the main point unless he's willing to be at home taking care of the baby alongside mom. Usually, he walks away scott free with no concern for the seed he's (also irresponsibly) planted. So, let's see ... the father is off the hook, leaving the mother with no money, no support and the prospect of raising an unwanted child that will likely end up in abject poverty. I won't even discuss the woman who is married to an abusive husband and has made the (wise) decision that she doesn't want to bring children into an abusive home filled with hatred. Does that father have more rights than the mother who has to endure the suffering and wants to spare her progeny the same suffering? Open your eyes folks.

Ok, well what about mothers who do want their babies, but are forced to bring to "term" a baby that is dying inside of them, but because their physical health is not technically in jeopardy, they have to live with the anguish of knowing their baby's going to be "born" dead. And the doctor is afraid to assist these women for fear of losing their license, or worse, being assassinated. But who cares about the mother's plights, right? As long as the unborn baby is brought to term, your job is done.

I haven't read any comments about social and financial programs to assist these mothers with raising these babies they know they can't afford to have. "You should have the baby," "The unborn baby has rights," you say, but what happens once the baby's born into poverty and/or into a home where they're clearly not wanted? Have you thought of what to do for these babies in that instance? I see you pro-lifers mobilizing all the time with your sensational posters and your marches and your lists and your lobbying, but if you're so concerned about life, why not put your efforts toward programs to really help these women. Why not watchdog program to make these men and these boys accountable for their part in the irresponsible acts that led to the unborn baby? Why not put together programs to find good homes for babies brought to term where the mother demonstrates she is not fit to raise a child. All I keep hearing from you is the baby, the baby, the baby. Well, that baby is going to grow up to be a child and then a teen and then an adult if you have your way; have you given thought to what type of person this unborn child could grow up to be?

I'm not saying I like abortion any more than you do. I'm saying look at the ENTIRE picture, not just the myopic view of the Life you want to "protect".

Tammy of FL 12:47PM August 27, 2009