What Dems Fail to Recognize About Abortion Access and A Woman’s Role in the Democratic Party.
By Jordan Wyer, MSW
August 10, 2017
Two weeks ago the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Ben Ray Lujan, announced that the Democratic Party does not have a litmus test on abortion and would not withhold funding from Democratic candidates because they are anti-choice. They hope this departure (from sanity) will secure more Dem seats in districts currently held by Republicans. Though the Democratic Party does not have a current litmus test for any issue, I cannot help but wonder why abortion rights and access were specifically singled out. The Chairman said the party would now focus on a “Better Deal” that will focus on economic stability, job growth, wages, and burdens on family. Well, I hate to break it to you Mr. Lujan, but the right for women to choose the circumstances in which they start a family and access safe and affordable abortion care plays a major part in all of these goals and does not alienate Democratic voters from the values they hold dear.
With 85% of Democrats and 7 out of 10 Americans overall supporting a woman’s right to choose, the Democratic base values a woman’s right to choose what is best for her reproductive health. I have a hard time imagining a Democratic Party that does not support progressive taxation and immigration policy, or a party that would deny our older generation Social Security and folks of color civil rights. Why are women’s rights on the chopping block? This has nothing to do with abortion, but the disrespect of a woman’s basic personal right to her own body.
I know the results of the last election had us shook, but abandoning the party’s founding values and beliefs to coddle misogynistic voters is not how we want to win. Grow some ovaries and stand behind the values (and women!) that built the Democratic Party.
So, let’s say it one more time for those in the back, a woman’s basic human right is not negotiable. ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE. ABORTION IS A HUMAN RIGHT.