Do you think ABORTION is an important topic for the 2008 Presidential Campaign?

Question

Why or why not?

Answer 1

No. Abortion is a personal issue. The government should be out of it...Period

Answer 2

Abortion really boils down to three opinions: those who are for it, those who have no opinion and those who are against it.

"Those who are for it" sight the right of an individual to choose and the need to regulate it in an attempt to improve outcome. The arguement about the ability to choose is that choice is viewed as an entitlement of each person and the government should not infringe upon that entitlement. Ironically this argument is fairly weak considering the government regulates many of our choices. An extreme example would be if someone decided to kill someone else. The government frowns on murder and if convicted that person would doled out a consequence which varies upon state. The argument about regulation is a more powerful argument. Making something illegal doesn't mean that it won't happen and that can result in increased chance of injury and death. Even if the government could ensure that abortions could not be performed in the U.S.A. they would not be able to control procedures done in other countries. Ultimately the only way to ensure the safety of the individuals is to regulate the process and require those who perform the procedure to meet the same medical standards of any other medical procedure.

"Those who are against it" claim that abortion is murder and that all living things have a right to life. The argument about murder is that the process kills a fetus which has the "potential" to become a living breathing human being. The problem with argument is that first no one can agree on where life starts. Does it start when a heart beat can be heard? Does it start when cells start replicating? Does it start when an egg is fertilized? Does it start when Sperm is produced? Where does life start? Certainly an argument can be made about letting someone die if there is no brain activity, even if the heart is still beating. This suggests that a heart beat isn't enough to determine life. Ultimately life must begin somewhere and until all sides can agree on where life begins, the claim that people are murdering potential life lacks the strength or test to prove true. The argument about everyone has the right to life also is misunderstood. A full discussion on the right to life would require more space than most people are willing to read but it is sufficient to say that the founding fathers were not thinking about children when they coined the three inalienable rights.

The last group is the group that most people are in. We aren't sure where we stand in this argument and find validity in both sides. Ultimately we decide to follow which ever way our traditions have taught us and we stick to that side even through lingering doubts.

I believe that there is a need to require consequences for decisions. I believe that the procreative power should not be abused. I do not believe that individuals should be allowed to just choose to have an abortion because the idea of having a child is inconvenient. I also believe that a person should not be forced to have a child that is a result of abusive or physical violence such as rape. I do not believe that the government should regulate such decisions because the government stamp of approval is often incapable of addressing variance in each case.

So as to the question I do not believe that it is an important topic to the majority of America but it is an important topic to the plurality of Americans and should be included as one of the topics for the 2008 election campaign.

Answer 3

No i honestly do not believe that abortion is an important topic for the 2008 presidential campaign. I don't think that judging someone for president on their personal beliefs and feelings on that topic is substantial. That shouldn't be even up to anyone other then the person who either believes in it or does not believe in it, if it is to occur. It's a personal choice, and should not be given govern as a whole. There is a point however in a personal matter as to when it would no longer be appropriate, but that should not be for the president to decide.

Answer 4

Yes, abortion should be an important topic for the 2008 Presidential election. Why? The American version of the Holocaust has claimed more-than 36-million (spelled with an M) fetuses since the Roe v. Wade ruling legalized abortion. And to think that there were only 6-million victims of the Jewish Holocaust during World War II. It is time to protect the unborn, who get less legal protection than endangered species or even the dogs involved in the Michael Vick case.

Answer 5

I think that abortion is an important topic, but should not be the only or primary topic for the presidential campaign. Abortion is one of those social issues that will never go away and will never be resolved as long as the nation remains divided about the issue. There are other social issues; immigration, war in the Middle East, 3rd World nations seeking nuke weapons, poverty, health issues, etc. These have equal importance to abortion. Also, every candidate needs to be outspoken about the issue (no matter what their stance) and be willing to uphold the laws that relate to abortion when they are elected.

Answer 6

I defiantly do not think abortion should be a major topic we should consider as voters in the 2008 elections. I think that the 2004 re-election of Bush is a prime example of having the wrong priorities, as a political figure. Toooooooo much of his campaign was geared towards social issues, which I feel should be a matter of personal choice. However, it is easy for candidates to use issues such as abortion, religion, same-sex marriage as a way to lure supporters. However, these things have nothing to do with effectively governing a nation. I too have personal opinions on all three topics, but they are just that, personal, and should not be imposed upon others who rightfully choose to believe differently.

Answer 7

No. Unless a candidate is advocating for the reversal of Roe vs. Wade.

Abortion should never have been decided upon at the Federal level. If abortion is decided in a political arena, it should only be legislated at the state level. Whether abortion is legal or illegal should be decided upon by each states' elected or appointed officials, or presented directly to the voters.

Some people are ill-informed about Roe vs.Wade on many levels. First, it should never have been brought before the Supreme Court, which ultimately caused the right to an abortion to become an Amendment to the Constitution. If the Amendment was ever reversed, and I feel it should be (based upon Federal power vs. State power), then the legality of abortion would just revert back to the state. If abortion was legislated at the state level, then a woman would still have the right to choose, but it would be determined by the state she lives in. For example, if a woman lived in a very Conservative state which outlaws abortion, then she could always go to a more Liberal state where abortion is legal.

In regards to abortion rights, it is much better to limit the Federal government's power and increase the power of each state.

Answer 8

Abortion should only be an issue between the female and her doctor. It's no one else's business. It should be considered a non-topic in the Presidential Campaign.

Answer 9

I think that it is made to be an important topic but i don't necessarily feel it is rightfully so. Candidates make their stance known which opens them up to praise and scrutiny depending upon individual voters. I believe (through discussions with other people) certain voters base their like or dislike (pardon the phrase but it seemed most appropriate) of candidates on their position on abortion.

I don't think it is right to make abortion a political issue. I also don't think it's right to judge a candidate based on their stance. I don't believe such a topic should be left up to the government to decide at all. A president should be chosen on merit and what will actually be done to better our nation, not whether or not they are pro-choice or pro-life.

Answer 10

Abortion is a very important topic to Republicans. Without Roe vs Wade, what would be a big issue for them to argue about. That's why in the end, sorry to tell you it will never be overturn. Personally, I do not think it's an important topic. We have men with families dying for our freedom, but we are worried about abortion topics.

Answer 11

No, I do not think it is a political or Federal issue. I am personally against abortion , and believe the time for a woman to choose is when she has the opportunity to use birth control.She does not have the right to end a life. That said, I would not want Roe V Wade to be overturned as there will always be irresponsible people and I do not want them to have to go to back alleys for abortions. The President can do nothing about it anyhow.