Is Abortion a “Constitutional Right” worthy of tax money?

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By now, there should be little doubt that the Democratic party is committed to protecting a woman’s so-called right to choose an abortion.  This is a policy supported by the highest levels of the party as evidenced in the remarks of Sen. Biden and Speaker Pelosi. Sen. Obama has stated his support for the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion and legislation to protect babies who survived botched abortions.

Unfortunately, Democrats have given even greater cause for those who support life to be afraid of the change they promise. As others have pointed out, the Democrats are no longer committed to keeping abortions rare as has been their previous position.  Adding insult to injury, the Democratic Party has nailed another little noticed plank in its platform (as it did in 2004 and 2000) that goes beyond their “strong” and “unequivocal” support for Rove V. Wade and their claim that “safe” and legal abortion is a fundamental right like those guaranteed in our Constitution.

According to the platform adopted just last month at their convention, Democrats support “a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay.” The phrase, “regardless of ability to pay” frequently comes up in discussions about the “right” to health care.  This deception should remind us there’s no such thing as a free lunch.  Obviously, someone always has to pay and in this case it will be American taxpayers’ expense.

It goes without saying that if Democrats are successful in advancing legislation to provide abortions at taxpayer expense it will constitute a tremendous violation of conscience.  Legal, on-demand abortion is already a horrible reality, but forcing millions of Americans who oppose the practice on strict religious and personal grounds to fund its expansion would be nothing short of tyrannical.

If, as Democrats argue, abortion is a right, like the right to freedom of speech or the right to keep and bear arms, it is unique among Constitutional rights in its guarantee, regardless of ability to pay.  Imagine saying, we affirm our unwavering support of individuals’ right to worship as they choose, regardless of ability to pay.  Or worse, we unequivocally support an individual’s right to keep and bear arms, regardless of ability to pay.

The Constitution recognizes the rights of individuals that come from their Creator.  It does not guarantee that these rights will be fully funded.  I have the right to worship as I please, but American taxpayers aren’t on the hook for paying for my priest’s salary or the electric bill for the Church.  Similarly, if I weren’t a resident of the District of Columbia, I would have the right to own a handgun, but the American taxpayers don’t buy me ammo.

I think it’s safe to say the Democrats’ claim that women have a “right” to a “safe” and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, fails the duck test.  If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it probably is a duck.  This so-called “right” to an abortion bears no similarity to any of our other Constitutional rights and common sense should tell us that Democrats are altogether wrong about their plan to pay for abortions with taxpayer dollars.