01/20/2008
from the Kennebec Journal
Rep. Pingree hears varied proposals for health-care solutions
HALLOWELL Fire that cut communications labeled arson
MONMOUTH Police defended after slim budget rejection
State's schools chief to parley
Wasser will lead newsrooms at KJ, Sentinel and in Portland
BRIEFS
Hockey still in picture for Harrington
Portland boxer to face legend's son
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
$1.3 MILLION FOR HEALTHREACH
Families Matter grows to meet special needs
Chellie Pingree listens to ideas on health care reform
FARMINGTON Rain alters plans for 4th of July
District regroups after budget failure
Vote on county budget hits snag
Burnham driver wins checkered flag at 2 tracks on same day
Maine boxer gets unique opportunity
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Paul is not a "confederate" like Jefferson Davis; he's a constitutionalist like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. He's the only constitutionalist in the presidential field.
The Constitution is silent on issues such as the death penalty, euthanasia, stem-cell research and gay rights. The implication is that the states, as made clear by the Tenth Amendment, are the political jurisdiction for thrashing out these prickly questions, not the central government.
Unity on abortion cannot be dictated by the federal government, regardless of who is president. Individual views on abortion depend on moral values, hinging often on personal religious beliefs. On one end is the view that every fertilized egg is a person with full rights, at the other end, the view that rights begin at birth. There are thoughtful people across the spectrum.
Abortion opponents should beware that, if dealt with exclusively at the federal level, quite possibly abortion will remain legal in all states for a long time. We should welcome a shifting of the abortion battle to the states. As some states outlaw abortion, and the advantages of doing so come to light, other states will presumably follow.
The all-or-nothing strategy that Saunders appears to endorse may not be the most effective. To suggest that heavy-handed federally imposed "unity" is the answer is desperate in itself.
Many abortion opponents support Paul for president. Meet some by contacting me or visit http://ron paul.meetup.com/702/.
Neal Patterson
Waterville
rnpatter@colby.edu
Reader comments
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Sorry, but history shows you're wrong. Since 1972, the USA has had a unified, consistent policy that guarantees reproductive rights to ALL citizens, not just those of some states.
If, on the other hand, it is your contention that the Fed cannot dictate "unity" on the issue to individuals, then you'll find that states would have the very same issue. That is why the Supreme Court has found this to be a matter of INDIVIDUAL, personal rights.
Besides, were abortion left to the states, Maine would likely become the northeast's abortion factory. Is that really what you want for Maine?report abuse
If life begins at conception, as some believe, an abortion is a murder, and the state having jurisdiction should try and punish the murderer(s) and accomplices.
If life begins at birth, as some tend to believe (incorrectly IMHO), the state must deal with that as well. I cannot pretend that an active fetus struggling for escape cannot be considered life.
In rare cases, it must be resolved between the mother, the doctor, and (at times) other family members, as to whether an abortion is preferred in order to save another life, i.e. the mother's or the baby's. This, too, is NOT a federal issue.
Ron Paul, as a representative to Congress, and as an OB/GYN doctor for years, knows all sides of this issue, and fully supports the right to life, and the repeal of Roe v. Wade.report abuse
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