Definitiv by Lena Bluestein: Abortion, A state choice.

South Dakota state legislature has just approved an abortion ban, which allows for exceptions only to save the life of the mother. This past Monday Governor Mike Rounds signed the bill, which means, as of July 1, 2006 it will be a felony for any doctor to perform an abortion in the state of South Dakota.

Not only did this governor sign this legislation, but he made plain that there are many other state governors that are saying they would do the same in their state. So it’s no surprise to see Mississippi and Missouri falling in line proposing similar abortion bans. What would it mean if each state was able to make its own abortion laws?

A Kansas Governor shared his views on the state’s ban. Senator Sam Brownback explained “I do not believe, and there are legal scholars left and right that do not believe, that the right to abortion is in the constitution. Therefore, it belongs, as it did prior to 1973, in the states.” Before that historic Supreme Court Decision, only fourteen states had legalized abortions. The other states were left with no say as the big daddy of government spoke on behalf of abortion advocates, despite the obvious will of the majority of States.

Recently chairman Chabot clarified, “The public thinks, for the most part, that if Roe versus Wade was struck down, abortion would be illegal. That’s not the case,” he said. “It would go back to the states and people would have more of a voice in it.” So South Dakota has just been the first state to take its voice back. They’ve in essence said, go ahead and try to sue us, we’re willing to take you back to the Supreme Court. Planned Parenthood, being the abortion provider in South Dakota, along with the providers in Mississippi and Missouri, have made it clear that they will immediately file lawsuits against such legislation banning abortions. This is what is necessary to give the states their say.

Many in the pro-life community are concerned, however, that the Supreme Court doesn’t have the necessary votes to uphold the abortion bans. As stated in an article on lifenews.com “Some pro-life groups say the time is now to pursue a ban and a court case, while others point out that the court is split 5-4 in favor of Roe (abortion) and that the potential fifth pro-life vote to overturn Roe may not be on the high court by the time the case gets there.”

We have petitions circulating in Ludington to propose an abortion ban in Michigan, and in the past couple years we have joined forces and the powers which be had to give us the floor on the partial birth abortion bans. If you are a pro-life Michigander, whatever your view is on the timing of these bans, I urge you to get your name on one of these petitions, and let’s be united again. If not for any other reason, then to let America and our lawmakers know, we are here and we are a determined voice for the lives of our unborn brothers.

The next step is to make abortion laws the state’s choice. And since so many are now working to represent your pro-life interests, don’t leave them hanging. I realize that in comparison to South Dakota, Mississippi and Missouri - Michigan is like the ‘King of the lefts’, but we can’t allow that to define our resolution. I believe that when the people’s voice is more precisely heeded the womb will become at least a safe-er place to grow.