It always comes down to making personal choices. While walking down a hallway, I notice a hand grenade (figuratively) and Lizzo (actually). Which one am I gonna hurl myself onto? I typically choose the hand grenade whereas Chung Tran may be more apt to choose Lizzo...
As far as law making goes, we are predominately a representative form of government where we elect people to craft and pass laws (ignoring that lobbyists actually do most of the crafting), as opposed to the people voting on every little thing directly.
Given the average attention span and some other things (long list), having the people direct vote on everything is unwieldy. You ever see propositions or proposed amendments on the ballot? What percentage of people do you think make their entire decision based on the 30 words or so on the ballot versus having already read the whole potato-e?
The state in which I reside does a pretty fair job of juggling state supremacy vs county, city etc. At the end of the day, many things are not discretionary at the very local level, not because they can't be necessarily. Some just should not, while others are just to messy to do. How can you have constitutional carry at the state level, while banning an and all guns, including the beloved Red Ryder BB gun in Austin, from 1st Street North to 38 12 Street? Also, Mayor Adler is a prime example why everything should not rest in the hands of city governments. Regardless, the math still favors the people at the state level vs the federal level. You know... the thing... Constitutional Republic. Come on man.
"...There are around 850,000 abortions annually in the United States..."
I'll say that is directionaly correct for simplicity. But what about demographically? Do they run equally balanced (ratios) across demographic (ethnic) groups or is skewed more heavily towards one particular demographic (Margaret Sanger-ishly)? What about the distribution between political party affiliation?
"...most of the women would be Democrats. Since they're Democrats it's more likely their children would be Democrats..."
I don't even know a decent adjective/label to call that. But it sounds like your premise is poor, under educated people are Demonicrats maybe. Or are you saying Demonicrats can't handle personal responsibility? Or are you saying that most of our taxes go towards propping up Demonicrats? Just not sure what your inferred point is about Demonicrats. Though I am eager to hurl myself on that hand grenade in another thread, as you may well know.
Pert near forgot about the child support hand grenade. Touchy I know. Third rail-ish even. "When you pull the pin from Mr Hand Grenade, he is no longer your friend ~ Adam Sandler) I often figured the expression "My Body My Choice" was an abbreviated marketing slogan, mainly because using the whole quote "My Body My choice Your Wallet", is too awkward for a variety of reasons. Not to mention, nobody wants to talk science and personal responsibility these days for some inexplicable reason, unless it involves bullying those that you disagree with to force them to kowtow to your own whims and weaknesses.
I would like to point out an important difference - contract, implied or otherwise. Two people get married <awwwe, fuck that shit> a man and a women get married and decide to have a kiddo or two and later split up. Hell yeah there should be financial support! As you iterate through other relationship permutations, perhaps down to this here hobby board - how does on-going monetary support trump personal responsibility and science?
Your point about the states is a good one. I'd take it down to the county level, believing government closest to the people is best. If you're going to argue that abortion should be determined by popular vote, and that it's something government and not the individual should decide, then leave it to the voters of Travis County (or Dallas County or Loving County, etc.)
As to the hand grenade, be careful. It may go off in your hands. There are around 850,000 abortions annually in the United States. I'd guess most of the women who wouldn't get abortions if they were outlawed are already or would become single mothers. You as a taxpayer would end up supporting many of their children. And most of the women would be Democrats. Since they're Democrats it's more likely their children would be Democrats. Think about that, millions and millions more Democratic voters than there would be otherwise in decades to come.
Originally Posted by Tiny
