01/20/2008
from the Kennebec Journal
Sport of Kings
New Medicaid billing system inspires doubts among some
Christmas spirit
Guidance counselor: Dismiss complaint based on criticism of same-sex marriage
CHELSEA: 'Practice burn' provides thrill for 9-year-old
Trust eyes orchard purchase
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Bonenfant rises up Cony ranks
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
YES ON 1 BACKER REBUTS CLAIM
New system for Medicaid payments worries providers
After petition drive, Clinton police force budget will go a third time before voters
A rock musician makes trip home via Black Taxi
MADISON: After revaluation, abatement requests reviewed
Parks to have facelift
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Sweet does job for Madison
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
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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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
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
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