Dare I? Politics... Part II

I'm going to pick a generally hot topic, abortion, to illustrate part of why I think that it's hard to have a conversation about politics today. I apologize in advance if I have misrepresented anyone, but I am going write based on what I've understood from listening to people. The following statements are probably generalities, and I'm sure that some people differ from the generalities.

From what I can tell, people who think that abortions should not be regulated do so because they think that it would be regulating morals that should be decided by the individual. They may or may not think that abortion is an OK thing to do, but regardless they do not think that it is an issue that should be decided by the government.

On the other side, those who wish for the government to regulate abortions do so because they believe that they are protecting the life and rights of an unborn child. In addition, they may be working against abortion for the protection of the mother (since abortion can have long-term ill effects on the woman.) I think they believe that this is a moral issue significant to the state and national government.

I think that the underlying question isn't really whether or not abortion is OK but rather if it's an issue appropriate for our government to decide for us. A bumper sticker I saw recently stated: "Don't like abortion? Don't have one!" This may seem like reasonable logic stating that we should all make our own moral choices, but then again, it probably wouldn't seem as reasonable if someone had the sticker, "Don't like murder? Then don't do it!" That is because it is the current paradigm to believe that the government should, for the greater good, regulate murder.

Which brings me to my real point: I think that we don't have all the answers. I think it is extremely unfair to label people who don't want to regulate abortion as "pro-death." Similarly, I don't think that it is fair to view those who want to regulate abortion as people who simply want to regulate morals and take away freedoms.

We get so wrapped up in our own perspectives that it's hard to see that the other point-of-view isn't hateful, evil, or crazy. I'm not saying that we shouldn't develop (informed) opinions, but I am arguing that it is harmful to become too wrapped up in a belief. Since none of us holds all of the truth, it seems like we should be more open to listening to others to learn and understand more. Maybe if we all let our guard down, we'll be able to sort things out better. Or maybe not. I don't know...