A conversation with my Republican Senator about "making abortion rare"

I wrote to my US Senator, Rob Portman, telling him that I disagree with his stance of stopping federal funding for Title X programs.

He sent me a form letter that I found to be particularly odious, so I had to write him to let him know that as well.

Here is his form letter response that I disliked:

 

Subject: Responding to your message 

Dear Steve,

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on federal funding for Planned Parenthood.  It is good to hear from you.

As you are aware, the House of Representatives recently passed the Continuing Resolution which contained an amendment that would stop federal funding for Title X programs for the 2011 fiscal year. 

I value and respect your opinion and believe citizens on both sides of this emotional issue have the responsibility to work towards making abortion rare, while also providing safe and healthy alternatives.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact my office.  For more information, I encourage you to visit my website at www.portman.senate.gov.  Please keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Rob Portman

U.S. Senator

And my response to it:

Subject: I find the your statement of "work towards making abortion rare" offensive.

I value the American ideal of Freedom and Self-Determination very highly, I think it is one of the most important things that makes our nation great.

Your statement in your email to me of:

"I value and respect your opinion and believe citizens on both sides of this emotional issue have the responsibility to work towards making abortion rare, while also providing safe and healthy alternatives."

If you truly "valued and respected the opinions of your constituency" you would respect the legal choice that some women make to have an abortion. Any attempt to marginalize that choice, or to limit the availability of that choice is NOT respectful. It is a blatant attempt to bully people into complying with your preferred option. To take that choice, that freedom away from them and give it to someone else. Whether you are giving that choice to a majority or minority, you are still robbing them of that freedom. Some freedoms should not be up to the whims of the electorate.

If you do not agree with abortion, that is fine and well within your right, and I am happy to defend your right to do so. But do not try to make an end run around Roe v. Wade to leave abortion "legal, but unavailable". And then you try to couch this tactic as "respectful of your constituency"?! This sort of maneuvering is the definition of disingenuous and I find it odious.

Steve Schlosnagle