Issue 1 on the November Ohio ballot is titled “Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion.” Ohio Revised code already includes quite a comprehensive and common sense base of laws governing abortion in our state. Ohio Lawmakers, not outside interest groups wrote the current laws. If voters accept issue 1, the new constitutional amendment written by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU will displace current Ohio abortion laws.
Consider the differences in the current law, and the proposed amendment. Current law requires minors to have parental consent prior to any medical procedure. The new amendment states that “every individual has the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions.” Current law prohibits abortions after twenty-two weeks of pregnancy. The proposed amendment Does not set a limit, rather, they leave it up to the doctor as to what point in the pregnancy is too late. There are other specific laws on the books such as mandating that care is given to a child that is born alive after a failed abortion procedure.
Lack of parental consent in the proposed amendment is a huge concern for many parents and guardians. In Ohio it is illegal for a minor to purchase a can of spray paint, but we are now saying they have the right to take the life of their unborn baby without consultation from their parents. This lack of clarity has huge implications for the insurance industry and could open up much litigation when un-informed parents get a bill for procedures they did not authorize.
Consider for a moment if traffic laws were as vague as this proposed amendment to the Ohio constitution. What if safe highway speed limits were decided by each driver or arresting officer. I could argue that a safe speed for my Camaro is 120 MPH. My grandmother however would argue that anything over 20 MPH in a horseless carriage is ludicrous. What if one BMV decided to issue driver’s licenses to eight year old children without parental consent? If they caused an accident, would the parent’s insurance be liable to pay the damages? Could the parents sue the BMV for damages? The vague wording of the proposed amendment is a major problem.
What might be the motivation for replacing the existing comprehensive set of abortion laws with a vaguely written amendment to the constitution? Planned Parenthood and the ACLU carefully crafted this amendment. Margaret Sanger, a member of the American Eugenics society, founded Planned Parenthood. Along with Adolf Hitler, they believed they could create a better human race by only allowing genetically superior people to procreate. Planned Parenthood has attempted to disassociate itself from it’s past links to eugenics. Even if eugenics is not the motivating factor for Issue 1, data shows there are two to three times more minority babies aborted per 1000 live births than white babies.
When looking for motivation, we often just have to follow the money. Planned Parenthood has an annual revenue of almost two billion dollars. In order to grow that revenue, they either need to perform more abortions, or increase the cost per abortion. Abortions that fall into the 22 week period set by Ohio law generally cost around $800. Later term abortions cost more than double that amount. Could this be an attempt to create additional revenue for the crafter of the proposed amendment?
Whatever your stance, whether you are pro-life, or pro-abortion, I urge you to do your own research before you vote. Read the actual amendment proposal. Think about who wrote it, and the motives behind it. Take time to read the current Ohio revised code concerning abortion. If you disagree with it, write to your congressman. Don’t assume that large special interest groups with a vested financial interest in killing the unborn have your best interest in mind. As for me and my house, we will be voting NO to issue one on November 7.
Leave a Reply