The Texas Legislature should enact legislation requiring a sonogram to be performed and shown to each mother about to undergo a medically unnecessary, elective abortion.
YES or NO
Before I analyze this proposition, let me say that I do not believe in abortions except in extraordinary circumstances such as danger to the life of the mother. However, I do not trust the government to make the judgment as to what is an extraordinary circumstance. I would rather leave it to the individual to choose. There will be those who do not ponder their decision. There are always those that abuse any system. I believe our duty is to provide sufficient information and incentives, so that no abortions occur except in the most direconditions. I agree with Bill Clinton that abortions should be "safe, legal, and rare."
There is the problem of vagueness. What is a medically unnecessary abortion? An elective abortion? I think I know, but the terms should be more narrowly defined to avoid confusion. A better drafted proposition would encourage positive response.
This proposition is designed to have the legislature put obstacles in the path of women seeking abortions. The hope is (1) that seeing a sonogram will change a woman's mind and (2) the added expense will keep some women from getting an abortion. The first reason is totally valid. The second punishes only the poor.
A proposition that discriminates on the basis of wealth has no place in America. Poor women are entitled to the same rghts as wealthier women. For that reason I oppose this proposition. I would support this proposistion if the sonogram were paid for by the state.
VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 5!
Photo by Daquella Manera
