Beeker’s Words

Today is the 35^th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision. I have never lived in a world were a woman could not make the decision to have or not have an abortion. I know that women are able to make responsible, educated decisions about their bodies and to determine if they are ready to start a family. I do not want to live in a country where my government seeks to restrict my rights in an effort to impose religious social values that are not in line with my own social values. If abortion is made illegal what is the next step? Will contraceptives be illegal? Will sex education be illegal? Will pre-marital sex be illegal? Will erectile dysfunction drugs be illegalized, because after all isn’t this God’s way of telling you it is time to stop having sex? If making abortion illegal is about saving unborn lives, then why is our country not doing more for children? Have you noticed the state of education in this country? One third of teens are not graduating high school. What about the millions of children that don’t have health insurance? Why is child care so expensive? Why are women rushed back to work so soon after giving birth? I am pro-choice because I want all women to have the same rights. Making abortion illegal in the United States does not end abortion. Women, who can afford the trip, will travel to Europe. Poor women in this country will be forced to use methods that jeopardize their health and wellbeing to end an unwanted pregnancy or they will be forced to have a child that they do not want and can’t afford to take care of. How do you think these children are raised and treated? Why are there so many children in foster care if our government and the nation’s religious zealots care so much about children? I vote pro-choice because I want to be in control of my own body. I want to make my own decisions. I have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is on my timeline, not the governments.