In the original column on Solving Real Problems, I identified the abortion issue as the best example of the failure of our entrenched political leaders to do the hard work of civil society. In this column, I want to show that reasonable people can resolve the abortion issue by remaining faithful to the principles of our founding documents, natural law and common sense.
Abortion is a controversial and divisive issue in American society. Entrenched politicians use the abortion issue to ensure the support of many of their constituents. Some voters make decisions solely on the abortion question. Unqualified and unfit candidates, solely due to their position on this issue, win elections. Meanwhile the politicians are content to let the issue fester. Allowing Roe v. Wade to remain "settled law" guarantees an on-going issue politicians use to manipulate voters. If our political leaders did their jobs by leading our society to a solution, they would eliminate a permanent source of political support. They put political self-interest before the health of our civil society.
Roe v. Wade is a result of the failure of our civil society to cope with social progress. Unplanned pregnancies did not begin during the 1960s sexual revolution. Nor did abortions. However, old coping methods, however inadequate, broke down as our society became more sexually permissive and less inhibited about openly discussing sexual issues. I was a hormone-addled teenager at the time, resulting in a skewed memory of the situation, but I do think our society missed an opportunity to deal constructively with the changes. Lack of proper action by leaders in American government, religion and education resulted in the Supreme Court decision, as well as the ensuing years of controversy and dysfunctional politics. At any time before or after Roe v. Wade, our political leaders could have solved the problem. They have not.
Resolving the abortion issue would not have been easy. Neither was putting a man on the Moon or defeating global communism. However, it was and is still possible. We need leaders on both sides of the issue, and those in-between, to put aside political self-interest and do the hard work necessary to heal our civil society.
Imagine, for a moment, that we have genuine leaders in the Congress of the United States. They recognize two facts. First, the Supreme Court violated its constitutional role by making new law in the Roe v. Wade decision. Second, it is their responsibility to legislate the resolution of the abortion question in order to create a more healthy civil society. As a result, they form a commission to draft the legislation. The commission is composed of responsible people representing all sides of the issue. They understand the importance of their mission and that compromise will be necessary to accomplish it.
What follows is my idea for the imaginary commission's conclusions that form the basis for the draft legislation: