Pro Choice and Pro Life are not opposing concepts. The misunderstanding of the primary intention of the two groups has created needless conflict and even death. While this is perpetuated purposefully by some groups it is often not for the purpose of the advancement of the actual ideals of the group and has instead become a rallying cry for partisan politics.
Pro Choice is not pro abortion; it is exactly what its name implies, for the ability to make a choice. First and foremost it has become a Democratic ideal, however one does not have to believe that abortion is right to believe that the government should not have a say in what we do to our bodies. The irony is that Republicans believe in smaller government and are against government control, however on this issue they seem to be the opposite. We already have laws on murder, if you believe that abortion is murder then fight for the recognition of fetuses as alive, not for laws against abortion. Legislation against abortion is a slippery slope granting the government the right to declare what is right and wrong for us to do with our bodies, while narrow-focused thinkers may believe this will apply only to abortion it could very well lead to the outlawing of certain medical procedures and even piercings and tattoos.
Pro Life is not anti choice; it is for the recognition of life beginning at conception. While this factions name could be clearer it does inspire a bit of equality as opposed to “Pro Life at Conception” would; as well as being less of a mouthful. It has become a primarily Republican ideal even though I don’t think most Pro Lifers has thought through the potential consequences of their beliefs as detailed above. The irony here is that most people opposed to the Pro Life stance are anti death penalty, while a majority of Pro Lifers tend to be for it, leading to the impression that Pro Choicers believe the guilty shouldn't be punished while the innocent should by virtue of not being born yet, or being unwanted. This is not the case in any regard, but simply miscommunication of intent between the two groups and a refusal to listen to actual rationale between them.
The Pro Choice/ Pro Life conflict is not just a partisan divide, but it seems so. Both our major political parties adamantly subscribe to one side or the other making the decision to be one or the other almost akin to party membership. It has becoming a cry for votes and a label of defamation in states of the opposite persuasion. Often candidates come close to outright saying that voting Democrat is a vote for killing babies (as was evidenced in the 2008 Presidential elections), while voting Republican is a vote to give up the decision to control your own body.
I often say that I am Pro Choice, but anti-abortion, or Pro Life, but anti government control. This means I am Pro Life and Pro Choice, and as a declared, and tested, centrist I have absolutely no problem with this. I believe that if both sides, or at least more of the members of both sides, were to stop and think about what they’re saying and the rhetoric told to them by the respective parties supporting one side or the other we would come to the consensus that both objectives are not opposed. That may be a little too much faith in humanity, and for those that know me you may think it uncharacteristic of me, but I believe it to be true.
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