Chewymom

The problem (the “elephant in the room” as Craig Schwarze would put it) is that the pro-life movement has failed - completely and spectacularly. Despite 30 years of protests, political action and even violence (albeit from a militant minority), western society has embraced abortion. Despite the efforts of the pro-life movement, support for abortion has increased since the early 1970s. While pro-life people argue and agitate to make abortion illegal, a considerable majority of people wish to keep it legal. Moreover, voting for politicians who support the pro-life camp has resulted in absolutely no change at all in abortion laws. For example, from 1994 until 2006, the US congress was controlled by conservative Republicans who had been voted in by the American people to enact conservative legislation - which included support from pro-life groups. Despite 12 years of congressional control (of which 6 years were spent under a conservative president who would not veto conservative legislation), Roe vs Wade was never repealed, abortions were not reduced and public opinion of abortion did not swing enough towards the pro-life position (if it swung at all).

One Salient Oversight argues (much more eloquently than I have attempted to do on here) that having a pro-life political stance may not be the best way to reduce abortions. He points out an interesting study that shows that countries where abortion is legal actually have lower rates of abortions than those countries where abortion is illegal. If you truly consider yourself to be in the pro-life camp, this is a must read post.

All of my adult life, I have heard people speak and preach about how as Christians we have an obligation to speak up for those who have no voice. The meaning of this was that we were to defend the unborn babies being aborted by the thousands and even millions. There were those who felt that everyone should join Operation Rescue. And then at one church where we had our membership, we were encouraged to participate in a march or at least a silent protest on Right-to-Life Sunday (the Sunday closest to the date of the Roe v Wade decision).

We–Chewydad and I–had family members get in our face and ask us exactly what we were doing to personally end abortion. We weren’t going to D.C. for the Right-to-Life march, and we didn’t picket abortion clinics. We might as well have been helping people get abortions in these well-meaning people’s eyes.

Some of the more radical tactics have died off, but there is still a movement among evangelical churches to pressure members to vote for only pro-life (Republican) candidates. The argument is still that as Christians we MUST speak up for those who have no voice. We must defend those who cannot defend themselves. I am starting to resent that pressure.

And I have a question.

Where are the Christians who have fought to give Brig a voice? Who has defended his right to be educated with his typical peers? Who has walked through IEP meetings with me, when I’m tearing my hair out because someone at the meeting doesn’t even want to allow him to walk through the halls of his high school without an aide present? Who sat with me while I was told that because of George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” plan, my child cannot possibly receive even an occupational diploma from high school, but will only be eligible for a certificate of attendance?

Who is defending Brig’s right to have more than $2000 to his name and still get medical insurance? He will never be able to hold down a full-time job, he can’t remain on our insurance, and the only way to see to it that he can receive the medical care he (and others with disabilities) need is through Medicaid. Who is helping see to it that Brig will be able to have housing and a care-giver? I mean, we are setting aside money for that ourselves, but who is defending the disabled poor who cannot do that?

Who is standing up and giving a voice to the widows and orphans? The disabled? The poor? Sure, some of those have a “voice” and can vote, but some can’t. And some need a stronger, louder, and richer voice. Because let’s face it, money talks. If a homeless man walks into City Hall and demands change, he’ll be laughed out of the building. But let the richest man in town walk in, and people will be all, “Yes, sir. How can we help you sir.” So who of us that has respect because of our assets is defending and helping those who cannot help themselves?

As I have been reminded, no one candidate is going to be and do everything I find important. I am going to have to decide which issues are top priority for me. After years of defending pro-life candidates in the voting booth, I am coming to a point of needing to speak for others. Like Brig. And that is why, although I have in no way decided who I am voting for or even which party I prefer, I keep mentioning the name Obama. I can’t help but be impressed with him. Take a look at his Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities. If nothing else, at least I can say thank you to Obama for desiring to empower and give a voice to Brig and his peers.