...Republican Platform: Women and Abortion The Republican Party’s position on abortion states that all unborn children should be protected. In the case Roe v. Wade, in 1973, the decision was made that an unborn fetus could be deliberately murdered. Roe v. Wade changed America greatly. Since that year, more than fifty-four million, unborn babies have been killed against their will. The Republican Party is pro-life, and they believe in the Fourteenth Amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment states that every individual’s rights belongs to themselves and no one else. A Fetus's right to life should not be contingent on their mother’s choice. “Roe v. Wade is the fountainhead of the now-imperial federal judiciary that has violated, not only the rights...
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...Argumentative Essay: Should Abortion Be Illegal? The legalization of abortion has been an issue that has been argued both publically and privately for several decades. In all social circles this subject is very sensitive because of the moral and emotional factors involved. For the religious community, it’s a matter of morality and biblical law. For the lay person or non-religious community it’s a matter of choice. In the political arena it’s a matter of economics. The one factor that stands out the most about this issue is that it is of a personal nature. The question at hand is should we legalize abortion, and should women on government assistance be able to receive an abortion as the expense of tax payers? In order to respond to this question responsibly let’s take a look back history to get a better understanding of abortion. Abortion actually dates back to Biblical times when women consumed an herbal concoction that would induce a spontaneous expulsion of a fetus. Though this practice often resulted in not ending the pregnancy or in the death of the mother and the fetus it was documented (Fox, 2012). Throughout history there have been documented incidents of abortion. In fact, in early American history, abortion was illegal and the death of the fetus was considered to be murder. Since the great legal battle of Roe verses Wade (Profile, 1973), advocates of women’s rights have continued to fight for a woman’s right to choose. This brings Fox, P. (2012). About...
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...Roe vs Wade is a very historic and well known court case in American history. It all started with a unmarried pregnant woman who lived in Texas and wanted to get rid of her baby by means of abortion. “Texas law prohibited abortions except to save the pregnant woman's life.” (Roe v. Wade) Roe took her case to court by filing suit against her district county attorney, Wade. “The circumstances and events within the proceedings of Roe v. Wade determined the legality of the abortion process, which is considered to be the medical procedure in which the pregnancy with regard to an unborn fetus is terminated; the plaintiff Jane Roe – which was a pseudonym granted to her in order to allow her to maintain her anonymity – maintained that the laws forbidding abortion instituted in the State of Texas were in direct violation of the 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.” (Cases) The case was reviewed for two years, but the Supreme Court's final decision made abortions legal. Many disagreed with the court's reasoning and decision. Before anyone can make an opinion, it is good to know the background and details of the case. During the time period this case took place, people’s ideas about sexual relationships changed and became more liberal. Women were able to get birth control and other...
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...Is there a causal link between the drastic crime-drop , at the turn of the millennium , to the remote event of the legalization of abortion in the mid 90 's ? Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner would have us believe , in their movie Freakonomics , that there is a statistically definable and clear relationship between the decision of the Supreme Court in Roe v .Wade and the reduction of criminality In brief , they posit that the legalization of abortion in the 70 's set into motion a chain of causal events which would eventually lead to a dramatic decrease in criminal incidence and crime rates in the last twenty years . The argument is buttressed by the fact that the statistical data in the rise of legalized abortion appear to militate criminal incidence throughout the country . In the decision of the Court , the majority believe that the woman has the right to decide whether or not to continue with the pregnancy .However , such right is not absolute since the moment the first trimester ends , the State acquires the right to prevent or intervene with such decision by the mother because of a valid compelling state interest . At any rate , the Supreme Court reveals that this will help reduce the incidence of bearing unwanted children and causing more trauma for both the mother and the child in the long run . Levitt and Dubner , on the hand , added color into this line of argument by stretching the correlation of unwanted children to either the rise or fall of crime. The less...
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...frustrations to the court concerning the ambiguity of the wording in the abortion law, saying that he was incapable of distinguishing which of his patients were eligible for the laws exception.54 He appealed for the court to legalize abortion and suggested that should they fail to do so, they change the wording of the law.55 Hallford’s desire was to ensure the safety and care of his patients, while practicing under clear and concise laws. The court dismissed his testimony due to his impending cases.56 In the process of making the decision for abortion, the court discussed the Hippocratic Oath.57 In this oath, the doctor swears that they will not aid a woman in having an abortion or gives her the means to do so...
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...Should Abortion be Legal? Julianne Jackson PHI 103 Fabio Escobar June 11, 2012 Should Abortion be Legal? Abortion is something that I am for, not against. I was raised as a Christian and I believe that, “thou shalt not kill” however, there are circumstances in our lives that cause us to believe differently. Life is about making choices and our maker and society gives us the freedom to choose. It is because of these choices that we will make a decision as to if we are ethically right or wrong. This is because regardless of what people may believe abortion is neither right nor wrong. It is the matter of a personal opinion where each side can say with conviction that the other side is wrong. Abortion is the removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus in order to end a pregnancy. Abortion is one of the most controversial issues around and it will remain an issue that will never be agreed upon. The issue of morals has been put into the question of whether it should be legal to have an abortion thus elevating the subject to a higher level. Some people no longer look at abortion as a question of choice but as a question of morality, and these perceptions have led to a full-blown debate over something that should not be questioned. A single pregnant woman brought a class action suit that challenged the Texas law that prohibited abortions except when medically advised with the purpose of saving the mother’s life. Roe was the single mother in this case and Henry Wade was one...
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...Within the past two decades, crime rates have dropped significantly in the United States. In the book Freakonomics by economists Steven D Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, they claim that the main reasons for the crime drop such as better policing strategies, more incarcerations per capita, strict gun control laws, changes in the drug market, and stronger economy only make up for about half of the decrease. The impact of the Roe V. Wade decision, in the opinion of the authors, has affected the amount of felonies in the country. “The very factors that drove millions of American women to have an abortion also seemed to predict that their children, had they been born, would have led unhappy and possibly criminal lives. “(Levitt and Dubner). Although...
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...Abortion: A History of Controversy, Court Cases, and Contention Abortion: A History of Controversy, Court Cases, and Contention By: Carla Phillips Pol-210 Submitted July 28, 2014 “Abortion: A History of Controversy, Court Cases, and Contention” Carla Phillips, POL-210 This research is a chronology of abortion not only from a legislative aspect, but also a social one. The goal is to show both sides of the abortion debate through court decisions, social activism, and well-known opponents and proponents. This will be an objective look at the topic without regards to my personal opinion. Abortion is a widely disputed topic within the United States. Whether politically inclined or not, most people have an opinion on abortion. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines abortion as “the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus”. ("Abortion - Medical Definition and More from Merriam-Webster", n.d) Even the basic definition invokes a debate. Proponents of abortion argue that life does not begin at conception, making the phrase “death of the embryo or fetus” inaccurate. Something cannot die if it hasn’t yet lived. Opponents of abortion, on the other hand, argue that life does begin with conception, making abortion tantamount to murder. The American Medical Association first condemned any abortion with the exception of ones performed to preserve the life of the mother or child...
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...Few issues have fostered such controversy, as has the topic of abortion. The participants in the abortion debate not only have firmly-fixed beliefs, but each group has a self-designated appellation that clearly reflects what they believe to be the essential issues. On one side, the pro-choice supporters see individual choice as central to the debate: If a woman cannot choose to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, a condition which affects her body and possibly her entire life, then she has lost one of her most basic human rights. These proponents of abortion believe that while a fetus is a potential life, its life cannot be placed on the same level with that of a woman. On the other side, the pro-life opponents of abortion argue that the fetus is human and therefore given the same human rights as the mother. Stated simply, they believe that when a society legalizes abortion, it is sanctioning murder. In today's more industrialized societies, technology has simplified the abortion procedure to a few basic and safe methods. Technology, however, has also enhanced society's knowledge of the fetus. Ultrasound, fetal therapy, and amniocentesis graphically reveal complex life before birth, and it is this potential human life that is at the heart of the debate. In order to form an opinion on this matter, we must first question and define several common factors which are numerously debated. I. When does human life begin? Scientists identify the first moment of human life...
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...Abortion in America: Right to Life or Right to Choose Paul Day, Felicia Jones, Thomas Ratcliff, Theresa M. Saau, Natasha Sabbah BCOM 275 June 26, 2014 Cecile Morris Abstract Abortion in America: Right to Life or Right to Choose Arguments for or against performing abortions in the United States, persist and are highly debatable. Since the 1973 Federal Supreme Court ruling of Rowe versus Wade, abortions have become established as legal in the United States. (Glendon, 2003) Legalized abortion in the United States, has received strong support from Pro-Choice proponents such as Planned Parenthood. (Planned Parenthood, 2014) Pro-Choice advocates for abortion, believe that pregnancies can be allowed to be ended prematurely. (MNT, 2009) Pro-Life advocates, on the other hand, view abortion as murder to human life. Opponents to legalizing abortions performed in the United States, often include Pro-Life supporters and certain religious groups. The issue of abortion in American society often involves individual belief and personal choice. The five members of the University of Phoenix’s BCOM/275, Learning Team C, have separated into two groups to debate the pros and cons relating to the legalization of abortions in the United States. Three team members debated the abortion topic from a Pro-Life perspective, and two team members sought to represent the Pro-Choice position. A team debate was held on June 13, 2014. The purpose of the debate, was to gather information from...
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...Alexia Rodriguez 12-07-11 Making the Ultimate Choice With the evolving moral standards of society, abortions are becoming more and more justified. Abortion, the practice of removing a fertilized egg from a mother, has become a controversial issue in American society, but should be generally supported because of women’s rights, religious and personal beliefs should not interfere with government and laws, in case of rape or incest, abortion is a safe medical procedure, and even with responsible use of contraceptives unwanted pregnancies still occurs. A woman's right to choose abortion is a fundamental right recognized by the US Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade since Jan. 22, 1973. The Roe v. Wade decision held that a woman, with her doctor, could choose abortion in earlier months of pregnancy without legal restriction, and with restrictions in later months, based on the right to privacy. Abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy were invalidated by Roe v. Wade. State laws limiting such access during the second trimester were upheld only when the restrictions were for the purpose of protecting the health of the pregnant woman. The court case legalized abortion in the United States, which was not legal at all in many states and was limited by law in others. The Supreme Court chose to base its decision on the Fourteenth Amendment. The fourteenth amendment is based on the fact that U.S. citizenship is a birthright and blocks states from taking actions that deny...
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...Policies in Relation to Abortion Before and After the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Case New Mexico State University Jennifer Walker Abstract The Roe versus Wade Supreme Court Case has had a huge impact on abortion laws in the United States. Before 1973, abortions were illegal and criminal, with few exceptions. Overnight, the decision in the case legalized first trimester abortions while leaving the specifications of the other trimesters up to the states. This case has led to many debates over the value of life and when life begins whether at conception, independence from mother, or first breath. All of these can be defined by religion, law, or individual beliefs. Unfortunately, none of the policies before or after Roe versus Wade have addressed the issue of unintended pregnancies, which is the underlying cause of abortion. Until this is addressed, policies will continue to be created, implemented, and challenged. Policies in Relation to Abortion Before and After the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Case Introduction In 1973, a case was selected to be heard by the Supreme Court that would substantially impact women’s rights then and continue to impact them today. The case was over Texas policy article 1911 that stated, “If any person shall designedly administer to a pregnant woman or knowingly procure to be administered with her consent… and thereby procure an abortion, he shall be confined in the penitentiary not less than two nor more than five years…” (Law Library, 2014)...
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...Abortion is the termination of pregnancy before birth, resulting in, or accompanied by the death of the fetus. ("Abortion," Encarta 98). In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, dramatically changed the legal landscape of American abortion law. The result of the ruling required abortion to be legal for any woman; regardless of her age and for any reason during the first seven months of pregnancy, and for almost any reason after that. ("Status of Abortion in America"). In the Roe v. Wade case, Roe (Norma McCorvey), had claimed she was gang raped and attempted to have an abortion in Texas. ("Roe and Doe"). After hearing the case, the Supreme Court ruled that an American’s right to privacy included the right of a woman whether or not to have children, and the right of a woman and her doctor to make that decision without state interference, at least in the first trimester of pregnancy. ("Celebrating 25 Years of Reproductive Choice"). The moral issue of abortion—whether or not it is murder—has been debated since it was legalized in 1973. Roe v. Wade has been one of the most controversial Supreme Court decisions of the 20th century. ("Roe No More"). More than two decades since the Supreme Court first upheld a woman’s right to abortion, the debate over the morality and legality of induced abortion continues in the United States. ("Abortion," Encarta 98). Abortion is one of the most divisive and emotional issues facing United States policy makers today. ("Economics of Abortion")...
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...Public Policy: Abortion The public policy regarding abortion plays a large role in U.S. politics through influential interest groups who are either pro-life or pro-choice advocates. These opposing sides have compelling arguments regarding the abortion policy in the U.S. that have been largely debated since the legislation of Roe vs. Wade in 1973, where the U.S. government declared that abortion was a “fundamental right” of American women. (Procon.org) While majority of Americans agree that abortion should not be recriminalized, there is still controversy over policies regarding abortion. Pro-choice advocates discourage all policies restricting abortions or taxes making them less affordable, where as pro-life advocates encourage stricter policies on abortions. In the U.S., The National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) and the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) are opposing advocacy groups that have greatly influenced this public policy and continue to inform and educate the general public on the abortion issue. Public policy regarding abortion is not just a national debate, other democratic countries face debate over abortion policies. For example, Canada has faced similar debate over abortion policies, but differs from the U.S. in significant ways. Pro- choice advocates in the U.S. believe that the government does not have to right to interfere with a women’s choice to get an abortion. They argue that women must have the right to abortion in order to posses the...
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...the members of legislative bodies through contribution to political parties, working to elect sympathetic or pliable politicians, and conducting covert or open propaganda campaigns. At this juncture, My emphasis is on The Anti-Abortion Right Group in My State of Maryland,which is of particular interest to me. Because my Delegate is a Republican. In the late 1960s, a number of organizations were formed to mobilize opinion against the legalization of abortion. In the United States, the National Right to Life Committee was formed in 1968, while in Australia, the National Right to Life formed in 1970. The United States pro-life movement (also known as the United States anti-abortion movement or the United States right-to-life movement) as a social and political movement in the united state opposing on moral or sectarian grounds elective Abortion and usually supporting its legal prohibition or restriction. Advocates generally argue that human life begins at conception and that the human fetus (and in most cases the human embryo) is a and therefore has a right to life. The pro-life movement includes a variety of organizations, with no single centralized decision-making body. The description "pro-life" was adopted by the right-to-life (anti-abortion) movement in the United States following the...
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