Shogun, as a Catholic Christian, fighting abortion means a lot to me and definitely influences my vote. But I hope that my approach to the pro-life issues is a comprehensive one. And I also respect the Constitution and states' rights. I also believe that the constitution can be peacefully modified by the amendment process.
I hope that Roe v. Wade is overturned. The immediate effect of this will be the returning of the issue to the states. Many states will forbid abortion, many will permit it. As a citizen of CT, I will work to protect the infants in the womb in my own state. I will also work with the pro-life forces in the other states so as to protect the infants in the other states. Obviously, I cannot vote on any referenda--or vote for pro-life candidates--of those states of which I am not a citizen. But I can still argue and donate money for the pro-life position in these other states.
I could also work to ensure that the Federal government does not support or fund abortion. Also, all personnel who are directly under federal jurisdiction could be made subject to an anti-abortion law.
I could also work to pass a paramount amendment to the constitution--to protect all infants in the womb for the whole of the US. The consitution can always be constitutionally altered by amendment.
Some of my friends say that Federal legislation against abortion binding the whole of the US could be justified constitutionally via the 14th amendment. I'm open to being convinced of this.
Regarding the present political situation.
**Putting your hopes on a candidate to nominate the correct judges is always a gamble.
Remember Ronald Reagan? He was (supposedly) a pro-lifer who would appoint traditionalist judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade, and return the issue to the state legislatures. Guess what happened?
2 out of his three appointees supported Roe v Wade!**
Also--liberal presidents often give us appointees who turn out to be conservatives. Look at Byron White.
McCain has far less impressive pro-life credentials than Reagan...How likely is it that he will appoint anti roe v. wade justices?
Moreover, there has to arise a case to enable you to render a decision on these issues. Years can elapse before such a case arises. It took 14 years for a potential anti-roe v. wade case to arrive at the supreme court. And then it went for Roe!
So one can hardly use the pro-life issue, and say "oh well its obvious you must vote for mccain, so as to guarantee the overturning of Roe v. wade"
**But a far more important point--innocent life not only exists in the womb, it also exists outside the womb.**
Look at all the innocent people killed by the sort of aggressive foreign policy favored by McCain.
--the bombing of Serbian civilians
--the starving of (500,000+)civilians via the embargoes/blockades placed on Iraq.
--the massive killing of civilians (whether deliberately or "collaterally")which has occurred via the wars in Iraq and afghanistan (1,000, 000?).
And now we have a supposedly "Christian" candidate who has joked about "Bombing Iran" and has boasted about how tough he's going to be against the Christian Vladimir Putin. McCain favors the expansion of NATO right up to Russia's border. This is insanely provocative.
Combine these facts with *McCain's temperament and personality* and the incredible anger and vituperativeness which he shows towards anyone who disagrees with him (last especially displayed during the immigration debate where he dropped several "f-bombs" on someone who raised the delicate little matter of secure borders and the rule of law).
This is a recipe for a world war, a war which will kill far more innocent lives than will be saved by the overturning of Roe.
Is it worth it to elect this maniac on the *very slim chance he will nominate conservative justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade?*