Commenter jez points to an interesting article that describes recent abortion trends and claims that the recent economic troubles led to an increased number of abortions.
In total numbers, 7,869 more abortions were performed in these 16 states during Bush's second year in office than previously. If this trend reflects our nation, 24,000 more abortions were performed during Bush's second year in office than the year before (or three years before in the first three states). Had the previous trends continued, 28,000 fewer abortions should have occurred each year of the Bush era. All in all, probably 52,000 more abortions occurred in the United States in 2002 than expected from the earlier trends.Basically, Professor Lewis B. Smedes argues that we need to improve economic conditions to reduce the number of abortions, which sounds like a great idea to me. I obviously disagree with his prescription of government provided benefits, however, since such programs eventually lead to lower standards of living, not higher. And anyway, wouldn't an even better way to reduce abortion be to simply make it illegal? That would cut out 95% of abortions immediately. (Or hey, say 90% -- pick a number, it would be high.)How could this be? I see three contributing factors: ...
What does this tell us? Economic policy and abortion are not separate issues; they form one moral imperative. Rhetoric is hollow, mere tinkling brass, without health care, health insurance, jobs, childcare, and a living wage. Pro-life in deed, not merely in word, means we need a president who will do something about jobs and insurance and support for prospective mothers.
