What if the Religious Right allied with the Working Left?

[bklyncowgirl]

124. This would require compromise and that is a very, very difficult thing

Let's take the abortion issue. I've always thought that the best compromise solution was to say that abortion is a moral choice that must be left up to the individual woman without the government getting involved, the best compromise phrase was Bill Clinton's "safe, legal and rare" but that will not satisfy those who, like my late mother, believe with all their hearts that abortion is murder nor does it satisfy those who feel strongly that women should not be judged for their choices and who take offense that some view it as a moral issue or even a serious personal choice. Two strong views--life and death views if you want to put it that way. Two diametrically opposed conclusions.

The problem, in my opinion, with leaving it all up to the states is that while people with wealth and/or marketable skills could vote with their feet, many others would be trapped. Let's face it. It's the poor who suffer. Wealthy women who wanted abortions and rich gay people, especially rich gay men did quite nicely during the 1950s. It's women who couldn't afford to jet off to Europe to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy safely or gay men who would never be allowed into exclusive gentlemen's clubs where wealthy closeted men could meet attractive young men without fear of the authorities who suffered and sometimes died.

I completely agree that a less strident tone all around would be a welcome thing and there are ways to compromise on language without compromising on principle but as you've seen it's difficult, very difficult.