Just some thoughts on the election

Today it's election day in the United States. I am not fully informed on the two main candidates, far from it, but I have read a lot about one particular subject. If you have me added on Facebook you probably already know what I'm talking about. Abortion. I am pro-choice and have always been. I think abortions should be kept at a minimum but I maintain that it's a woman's right to decide over her own body.

The discussion has, at times, reached low points I never could have dreamt of. Republican politicians have been quoted saying everything from "abortion should only be legal to save the life of the mother" to abortion should only be legal in cases of "forcible" rape. Views as these, views that are seemingly motivated by and based on the Bible, are dangerous as they overlook and disrespect the human right of women to have autonomy.

The World Health Organzation states, as one of its human rights, "Reproductive rights" and defines it as quoted:


"Reproductive rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. They also include the right of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence."


A woman has the right to decide freely the spacing and timing of her children. She has the right not to carry to term a pregnancy she does not want or can not support financially.

If Romney is elected President of the United States he intends to overturn the ruling of the case Roe vs. Wade from 1973 where a woman's right to abortion was decided. Overturning this ruling would give the individual states right to make their own legislation on abortion, in turn this means that in several of the states abortion would become completely illegal. The pro-life lobby is (largely, I can not say all of them definitelly are) simultaneously against contraception as it is percieved to be an abortifacient. Women with unwanted pregnancies would be forced to carry them to term or to face illegal, possibly dangerous, medical treatment.

All because religion is entering politics. Some people still try to impose their religious or personal beliefs on others, regardless of the consequences.

If Romney is elected he is prepared to impose restrictions on human rights, with ramifications on a deeply personal and private plane, founded on his own personal beliefs. He is prepared to go ahead and let his religious beliefs set legislation above all individuals, no matter if they adhere to this same religion, a different religion or no religion at all. The question is, are the American people prepared to support and defend this imposition?

I can only hope Obama is reelected tonight, for the sake of women's (and LGBT) human rights in the United States.

Saga xx