Abortion Advocates Are Losing Traction-RGJ Op-ed January 27, 2013

By Don Nelson and Melissa Clement.

At the 40th anniversary of the notorious Roe v. Wade decision, pro-abortion Time magazine says that “Abortion-rights activists won an epic victory in Roe v. Wade. They’ve been losing ever since.” Abortion advocates have serious political and financial assets. But despite their vast political and financial resources, abortion advocates are losing traction.

Polling consistently shows that a majority of Americans oppose almost all abortions and a greater number support abortion limitations. Only 25 percent support Planned Parenthood’s policy of abortion throughout pregnancy with no restrictions. In the past 20 years, abortions are down 25 percent, though our population has increased 25 percent. The rate of women having abortions is down 33 percent, and the ratio of abortions to live births is also down. Many laws supported by people who are pro-choice are being passed in the states.

Why the change on abortion?

First, Roe and abortion advocates are extremists. Roe struck down abortion laws in all 50 states and, along with its companion case Doe v. Bolton, made abortion on demand legal throughout pregnancy for almost any reason. The result and legacy is an unconscionable 55 million abortions, almost all of which are because the child was in the way and could not defend herself; not for the rare instances of rape, incest or the life of the mother.

Abortion advocates oppose almost any restriction on abortion including brutal partial-birth abortions, parental involvement, waiting periods, clinic safety regulations, and they oppose conscience rights of medical personnel, hospitals and insurers to not provide, pay for or participate in abortion. They even oppose abortion restrictions after the unborn can feel pain.

Second, the pro-life movement is vibrant with young people. NARAL Pro-Choice president Nancy Keenan is retiring because she sees so many young people at pro-life rallies and people at pro-choice rallies for the most part are old.

Third, new technological advances prevent abortion advocates from hiding behind their dehumanizing descriptions of the unborn as a blob of tissue, contents of the uterus and products of conception.

Fourth, the personal cost of abortion is staggering. Abortion has come with huge emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical costs for many.

Two-thirds of abortion clinics have closed, and fewer doctors are willing to do abortions. This explains the attempt to force some medical residents to take and force medical schools to provide abortion training, and to force ob-gyns to perform or refer for abortions. It also explains their advocacy for laws to allow others besides doctors to do abortions.

These are some of the reasons that abortion advocates are said to be losing despite their considerable financial and political clout.

Don Nelson is president on Nevada LIFE. Melissa Clement is president of Nevada Right to Life.