In addressing Paige Johnson’s column, there is no issue in the world more complex than that of abortion. The issue is framed by two powerful yet succinct rally cries: freedom of choice and the right to life. I have always and will always be a proponent of the freedom of choice. However, after 50 years of being a supporter of my body, my choice, I had an epiphany: Life is most precious, and those who cannot defend themselves need protection. Now, I know that the first reaction to this belief places me on a side in this debate, but hear me out.
The difficulty with this issue is that there are two individuals involved: one mature, self-sufficient and rational (we hope); and the other not yet even capable of life by itself, let alone the ability to defend itself. In virtually every conflict so presented, there are few who would side with the mature, self-sufficient individual. Yet we must measure the possible outcomes. On the one side, there is no reason to believe that a fetus will ever be born live, and, if born live, that its life will be without great travail, sorrow and misery. And what of the impact on the mother? On the other side, oh but for the unrealized potential of a life; what if Tim Tebow had never breathed on his own?
Powerful stuff. More powerful is to ask or demand that one individual forego their own rights for another. I think it is too much to ask: self-sacrifice is a choice, possibly the most difficult choice of all.
So what are we to do? In this case, I think we need to trust the rationale of the mature individual without making those who believe in the sanctity of life participate in their decision. Given that there are many alternatives to abortion, I see no reason why employers, be it government or private, could not offer a choice in insurance: one with abortion coverage and one without. That way, like-minded individuals can exercise their freedom of choice and not subsidize those who disagree with them on whether choice or life are more important rights.
Clearly, insurance coverage with the abortion rider would be more expensive, but haven’t we already made that decision by abiding by the practice of insurance companies to deny or charge higher rates to tobacco users?
GORDON COOK
Carrboro