By Josh Moon
Alabama Political Reporter
I am against abortion.
That’s a bit of an odd statement coming from me, given my rather extensive record of progressive beliefs. Around these parts, I’m a “lib’rul” on the political scale, and I make no apologies for such.
But I also don’t like the idea of abortion. I hate the idea of it, actually.
I hate more, however, the idea of forcing my feelings upon someone whose circumstances and perspectives, of whom, I have no comprehension.
This is a commonly held belief among the pro-choice crowd: that we shouldn’t be in a position of telling a 13-year-old rape victim that she’s going to live with a constant reminder of that torture for nine months – and probably forever – because it’s what we believe.
Thankfully, that will never be true, because Roe v. Wade is in place. And even with the conservative Supreme Court, that law is clearly settled. The Chief Justice himself, appointed by the previous Republican president and hailed as a true conservative jurist, uttered those words following the most recent test of abortion limits and laws.
Abortion is legal, and the law is settled.
It is going to remain legal for the foreseeable future, with the high court striking down even those so-obvious backdoor attempts by Republican state legislatures to place limitations on the procedure.
Similar attempts by Congress have also been thwarted by the courts, because this, at the end of the day, is a legal matter, not a legislative one.
Outlawing abortion can be done only one way: The U.S. Supreme Court. Period.
So, why then has abortion become an issue in Alabama’s race for a U.S. Senate seat?
Because it’s the only thing Roy Moore supporters have.
They can’t talk about his years of lawful service. Can’t push his stellar economic acumen. Can’t boast about his plan for infrastructure or his work bettering education. Can’t brag about his successful years on the bench. Can’t claim that he works well with others, or with anyone. Can’t claim that he’ll represent Alabama with class and dignity on a national stage.
So, abortion.
Because they know that abortion is an emotional issue – rightly so – that provokes a strong reaction from the general public. And they know it’s easy to paint anyone who believes in a woman’s right to choose as a baby killer.
And so, abortion and Doug Jones keep winding up in the same sentence.
Surely you’re not so stupid that you can’t see through this emotional ploy. Surely you know that this is the tactic of desperate people.
Because if Roy Moore could help you in some way – if he could be of service to anyone other than himself – don’t you know they would have talked about that instead?
They would have told you about how Moore would put you back to work, better educate your children, bring industry to Alabama. They would have laid out his tax plan. He would’ve known what DACA is.
Instead, they are pushing an issue that whoever holds this Senate seat – or any seat in Congress – will never alter in any way. Not even slightly.
We have to stop falling for these sorts of ploys, because they’re killing us. Literally and figuratively.
We do it with guns, with coal, with charter schools, with the Muslim ban and with religious rights.
The guy this country elected president has promised to make people say merry Christmas and “bring back coal jobs.” And y’all cheered as if what he said made sense.
Honestly, I look around sometimes and wonder if I’m not the fool for trying to convince people of the idiocy of it all instead of creating a late-night infomercial selling tap water that will make you better looking.
It’s time for intelligence – and the valuing of intelligence – to make a strong comeback. And it should start right now, in this Senate race.
Push the fluff aside. Focus on things that matter. Vote for the person who will best represent you on issues that matter most to you, your household budget and your children’s future.
I won’t even tell you who that is. But you know.
