On November 8th, Michiganders will be making a few very important decisions. Every box we check will have an impact on how we will live our lives. Intelligent people could debate which decision is the most important. But only one of those decisions will have an immediate life and death impact on potential citizens of Michigan. Proposal 3, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, does just that.
For as long as I can remember there is a certain hysteria that has surrounded the abortion issue. The recent Supreme Court reversal of Roe v Wade turned up the decibels many fold. It also increased the misinformation and hyperbole concerning the reversal. First, the reversal did NOT put an end to abortions in the United States. It simply ruled that the laws regarding abortion, constitutionally, belong separately with the people in each of the 50 states. One needn’t be particularly erudite to imagine that some states will pass very liberal abortion laws, and others will pass very conservative abortion laws. Most won’t make significant changes at all. Second, pro-choice advocates claim Roe’s reversal threatens our democracy. It is disappointing how ignorant, or dishonest, those advocates seem to be. The form of government we live under is NOT a democracy. But if it were, there is nothing MORE democratic than allowing we the people to make the decisions that rule our lives.
Proposal 3, if passed, will amend the Michigan Constitution. It is called the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative. Like so many others before it, this proposal is grossly misnamed. It would be more correct to name it the Reversal of Parental Consent Initiative. It is not about reproductive freedom for all. It will create a reproductive free for all. It’s vague language opens the door to those with an agenda far beyond abortion. This amendment was either written very haphazardly, not likely, or it was purposefully written with a vagueness that will negatively affect the values of the majority of Michiganders, more likely.
The majority of Americans, 53% according to Gallup, think that abortions should be available, but with restrictions. According to a Newsweek poll 61% of Americans believe all/most 1st trimester abortions should be legal, 65% of us think 2nd trimester abortions should be illegal, and 80% of us say abortions should be banned entirely in the 3rd trimester. Proposal 3 will allow abortions on demand throughout pregnancy. All that will be necessary to be granted an abortion is for an attending medical professional to deem the physical or mental health of a woman is in jeopardy. Care to guess how hard that will be to get? How much money do you think lawyers will make using that exemption?
Some of the mandates in this amendment, taken individually, are so terribly flawed that people who believe in the value of family, or parental consent, must vote no. The proposed amendment replaces the word woman with the word “individual”. “Every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, (FRRF) which entails the right to make and effectuate decisions about all matters relating to pregnancy, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion care, miscarriage management, and infertility care.” There is nothing in the amendment that stipulates the age up to which the parents of an “individual” MUST be involved in reproductive decisions. It is clear that this amendment removes parents from the decision their daughters are contemplating about aborting their child. What is not as clear is whether an adult male could still be charged with the rape of a 14 year old female, for example, if that minor claimed to be in love with the adult and exercising her FRRF. The language in the amendment is so vague as to suggest that a minor child, using their FRRF, could choose to go through the steps to gender reassignment without their parents knowledge. The amendment stipulates that the state may not prosecute someone, a controlling boyfriend perhaps, who aids or assists a pregnant minor girl in exercising her right to reproductive freedom. In other words, getting an abortion.
Proposal 3 should not be a partisan issue. It is a dangerous amendment. We all have an interest in the reproductive well-being of our female citizens. Parents and grandparents of every political persuasion should be deeply concerned about the damage this amendment stands to do to the things we hold dear. It will not only remove our right to parental consent, it will put our children, specifically our daughters and granddaughters, in harms way. This amendment, if approved, will be included in our State Constitution. It will be nearly impossible to remove. But to continue with an outdated 1931 law is also not good for us. I could have listed a few additional potential pitfalls in the amendment. Will foster care homes decline to accept young girls if they can’t be involved in guiding girls reproductive decisions? If those listed above aren’t enough for you to vote against this ridiculous amendment a few others won’t either.
Proposal 3 should not be a partisan issue. It is a dangerous amendment. I have read the amendment, talked to numerous “experts”, and read multiple news articles about the proposal. People need to look beyond the outrageous title. Once they understand what it actually does I am convinced they will need little coercing to vote no. If they are, and wish to continue to be, involved in their children’s reproductive futures a no vote is essential. Let’s do the right thing. Let’s vote NO on this terrible amendment. Then let’s encourage all stakeholders to engage in an honest and thoughtful discussion to create an amendment that deals with the issue of abortion. If an amendment is necessary, let’s do everything we can to make sure it is well thought out and reasoned.
Early voting has already started in Michigan. It is imperative that we reach out to our friends and help them become informed before they vote. Please forward, or share, this article with everyone you know who has children and grandchildren. I think this is the most important blog I have written thus far. We must to what we can to stop Proposal 3.
Thank you for reading my blog. I hope I have motivated you sufficiently to convince you to get in touch with your friends and relatives. Bob
The only winners if 3 is passed are lawyers and planned Parenthood. Both the ACLU and PP are spending millions of dollars to pass.
Mike,
You are absolutely correct. The best proponents have to offer is that the issues I mention will have to be settled in the courts. Attorneys all over Michigan are hearing the sound of cash registers. We don’t need a handful of judges making this decision. A majority of citizens should make those decisions.
Bob