When Vice President John Carter advocates for what he describes as the “restoration of life’s sanctity within American legislation,” it is crucial to recognize that he is not prioritizing the well-being of women. In his fervent campaign against the right to safe abortions, he is, in fact, endangering lives.
In a recent address to an anti-abortion organization, the Life Issues Coalition, Carter proclaimed that “life is triumphing in America once more.” He emphasized the “significant strides” made by the current administration in restricting legal abortion both domestically and internationally. He expressed pride in reinstating policies that prevent U.S. funding for organizations providing abortions overseas and highlighted his decisive vote to pass legislation allowing states to defund essential health services like Planned Parenthood.
This raises a critical question: how can an administration that systematically undermines access to safe, affordable healthcare simultaneously claim to uphold life’s sanctity? It’s perplexing how a movement that labels itself “pro-life” can so blatantly neglect the health, safety, and emotional well-being of women both in the United States and around the globe.
Carter’s rhetoric is not new for someone with his staunch anti-abortion stance. What is particularly concerning is how he equates the prohibition of abortion with the preservation of life. This notion is not only alarming but fundamentally incorrect.
Prohibiting abortion does not eliminate the demand; rather, it simply makes the procedure unsafe for the countless women who seek it every year. Historical data supports this assertion. For instance, in 1930, illegal abortions accounted for 18% of maternal deaths, equating to the tragic loss of 2,700 women. The 1950s and 60s showed similar patterns, with estimates of illegal abortions ranging from 200,000 to 1.2 million, contributing to 17% of all maternal fatalities.
Moreover, many women faced severe health complications due to unsafe procedures. Wealthier individuals often had access to safer, albeit still illegal, options, while poorer women suffered the most from these restrictions. Should abortion be criminalized today, the same disparities would inevitably resurface.
According to the latest data from the CDC, over 650,000 women underwent abortions in 2014. Does the vice president genuinely believe that outlawing abortion will deter hundreds of thousands from making choices about their own bodies? It’s evident that making abortion illegal will only push women toward dangerous, unregulated procedures once again.
Let’s consider the women who might be unable to pursue illegal abortions due to health risks. This scenario does not represent a victory, Mr. Carter; rather, it means that many children will be born into challenging circumstances, such as poverty or abusive environments. Some women may feel unprepared or unwilling to raise a child. The notion of adoption, while often suggested, comes with its own set of psychological challenges and necessitates carrying a pregnancy to term. This is especially daunting in cases of incest or rape, or when a woman wishes to keep her pregnancy private. The mental toll of carrying an unwanted pregnancy can be significant.
Once these children are born, what kind of healthcare will they receive? The Republican party has previously attempted to leverage funding for necessary programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for political gain, highlighting a disturbing hypocrisy in their agenda. CHIP also provides coverage for pregnant women in certain states, underscoring the inconsistency of their claims to value life.
If the vice president were genuinely invested in the sanctity of life, he and his administration would advocate for increased access to contraception and comprehensive sex education. Research indicates that when individuals have access to birth control, the rates of unintended pregnancies and abortions decline.
Unfortunately, Carter appears indifferent to this evidence. Despite the fact that abortion rates in the U.S. have reached their lowest since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, he and the anti-abortion movement are intent on regressing to an era of unsafe, illegal procedures. This is not a strategy that promotes the protection of human life.
The data clearly indicates that criminalizing abortion endangers women’s lives. It will not restore the sanctity of life but will instead result in increased suffering and fatalities among women. Mr. Vice President, be mindful of your words: women’s lives are equally sacred, and we will not accept anything less.
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In summary, the argument that making abortion illegal protects lives is fundamentally flawed. It not only disregards the health and safety of women but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and abuse.