International Abortion Ban Lifted

By Samuel Mattei

After 36 years and one day, the rules of abortion have once again changed. But who's really counting. Of course I am speaking of Roe Vs. Wade

On January 22, 1973 Congress ruled to legalize abortion. Since than the rules have been changed by every President except for George Bush Senior.

The first abortion ban after Roe Vs. Wade came in 1984 due to Ronald Regan. Nine years later when democrats took office with Bill Clinton, the ban was lifted. The most recent change before Thursdays events came in 2001 when George W. Bush put the ban back into effect.

This ping pong game of politics is showing no sign of ending. On Thursday President Obama lifted the ban.

To be "fair" to everyone taking time out of their day to read this (thank you all) I would like to state both Democrats and Republicans stance on this controversial issue and their reasons for it.

Since they are in office right now and hold a majority of seats in congress, I will start with the Democrats.

The Bush Administration put forth a policy that forbid American taxpayers to give any money to international organizations who either A.) Performed Abortions or B.) Gave out information on abortions.

This angered liberals and democrats because this policy was denying help to legitimate organizations. Some of these organizations being ones that offer medical help to those who feel they are in need of an abortion and that help those who have other health problems. (HIV/AIDS)

The most popular reason being the pro-life supporters. These particular people simply believe that it is a woman's right to choose what happens to her body.

Now to the Republicans. The Republicans have been in favor of this ban since it was put into place in 1984. It has been known as the Mexico City Ban.

They support the Mexico City Ban because they believe it is morally wrong to kill a child who does not have a choice to live or die.

The Republicans have argued that along with being morally wrong, it is also financially wrong. Obama is willing to put out our taxpaying money to other countries who are doing something morally and in a biblical sense just plain out wrong.

They have also argued that the United States still does spend millions of dollars each year giving money to international organizations who do not perform or give out information on abortions.

California Democrat Nancy Pelosi (not the most liked out of the democratic party) states that "This will help save lives and empower the poorest women and families to improve their quality of life and their future."

While Indiana Republican Mike Pence called it "morally wrong to take the taxpayer dollars of millions of pro-life Americans to promote abortion around the world."

Barack Obama lost a large amount of votes from the religious right who believed he would be the most liberal President of all time when it came to Abortion. Which as it's turning out he very well could be. Technically by saying this they are mixing religion with politics, which some believe should never be done, other says it's the only way.

President Obama made the choice to sign the paperwork out of the prying eyes of the media. While some will call this a smart move, other's will call it cowardly.

As someone who has not followed this issue as some of you have. I believe that both parties have legitimate reasons for banning or un-banning abortion.

The fact of the matter is that most of us will never and could never understand how life is in impoverished countries. The arguments will be made that "she went and got pregnant, it's her fault."

Yes. In many cases in our country and other first world countries that is the truth. Not in all cases, but in many. But this is not the case in a village in Africa where woman are taken advantage of with nowhere to turn each and every day.

Even when the ban comes back one day, we should still give information about abortion. Being ignorant about the subject will get us nowhere. Abortion is one of those issues that is not going to go away whether it is illegal or not.

Governments if they choose must make their own decisions on how to handle this delicate issue. The next time you see a story on the news on abortion, put yourself in the shoes of people all around the world, not just your slutty next door neighbor.