So long as the overwhelming majority of the members of Congress are men, women's rights to abortion will be whittled away until they are completely gone. It doesn't take a genius to get that since the issue is conveniently one that men will only ever deal with at second hand, its importance will always be poo-pooed by those without the plumbing to need it. Say good-bye to your rights over your own bodies, ladies, because it's only a matter of time before you're forced once again into those back alley kitchens.

I cannot express how glad I am that my childbearing years are almost over. I was lucky enough to come of age during that short era when women had full rights over our physical selves. You could not pay me enough money to be a young woman now, and I feel sorry for the ones who are just coming of age, and their daughters. They will live through a hell I can't even imagine.

Really, having to pay out of pocket for an abortion is a hell you can't imagine? You must lead a pretty cool life then.

If you can't afford an abortion, then you can't afford a baby, and may very well go on welfare...even if the anti-choice conservatives never seem to notice that very simple fact.

Say good-bye to your rights over your own bodies, ladies, because it's only a matter of time before you're forced once again into those back alley kitchens.

I cannot express how glad I am that my childbearing years are almost over. I was lucky enough to come of age during that short era when women had full rights over our physical selves. You could not pay me enough money to be a young woman now, and I feel sorry for the ones who are just coming of age, and their daughters. They will live through a hell I can't even imagine.

AHHH!!!! THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING!!! aaaaahhhhAAAAAHH

C'mon, now. Unemployment is at 10%, that's one in 10 people throughout the country without work, people's houses are being repossessed, and the job outlook for the future isn't wonderful.

We're in TWO wars and people are dying there.

Who knows how we're going to pay off all the new debt Congress is racking up, and health reform is nowhere in sight.

BUT, all this pales in comparison for you to have to pay for your own abortions?

sigh

I am pro-choice but firmly understand the reluctance of the pro-lifers to pay for abortions with thier tax money-its really no different than those who protest the use of tax dollars to support the death penalty. Planned parenthood provideds low-cost services now and will continue to in the future.

Also, if you can't afford either the baby or the abortion you are probably already on welfare anyway-and adoption will remain as an further option.

But yes, I do see your point-its pretty weak to demand that society force babies to be born into the world and then say that society has no role in ensuring the wellness of that child.

Well, the obvious solution is better access to birth control. IUDs are said to be safer than ever and they work hassle-free for YEARS.

But the right conveniently objects to birth control as well. To the religious nutcases it's all about controlling uppity women in service of their Quiverful fantasies and to their NeoCon allies it's all about keeping the supply of cannon fodder flowing.

Pro-abortion scaremonger. Ignore at will.

Thats a pretty big exaggeration that is too often repeated. Can you name a few politicians who have gone public saying that birth control should be banned (not a few clowns in a few churches but people who actually get to vote in a state or federal legislative body)?

Serai:

So long as the overwhelming majority of the members of Congress are men, women's rights to abortion will be whittled away until they are completely gone. It doesn't take a genius to get that since the issue is conveniently one that men will only ever deal with at second hand, its importance will always be poo-pooed by those without the plumbing to need it. Say good-bye to your rights over your own bodies, ladies, because it's only a matter of time before you're forced once again into those back alley kitchens.

I cannot express how glad I am that my childbearing years are almost over. I was lucky enough to come of age during that short era when women had full rights over our physical selves. You could not pay me enough money to be a young woman now, and I feel sorry for the ones who are just coming of age, and their daughters. They will live through a hell I can't even imagine.

No way. The LAST thing mainstream Republicans want is an end to legal abortions. Sure, they've been squawking about that for decades now, but have you seen them make any serious effort to ending Roe v. Wade?

Yes, Republicans will continue howling about abortion, so long as there's a constituency of wingnuts out there who need something to howl about. And, yes, they will continue introducing bills and resolutions that seem to chip away at peripheral issues surrounding abortion. They'll try to extend "parental consent" qualifications, and restrict abortion rights to categories of Americans who have no political clout. But ending abortion? That would be like the old-time southern pol somehow removing "race" from the political equation. Which is to say, it would leave them largely disarmed in the Culture Wars.

"Which is to say, it would leave them largely disarmed in the Culture Wars."

Abso-fkn-lutely.

It's all lip service to whip 'em up into a froth every few election cycles, it works like a charm. So predictable.

The funny thing is, the religious right will never realize that the Repub party is not going to give them what they want on abortion. You're right, they'll toy at it by chipping away at the rights of the powerless, just to throw a bone to the religious base, but in the end, the party isn't going to invest enough to dismantle Roe.