To the editor:
As I see it, abortion is really two issues, not one. The first issue is whether it is legal or not. The second is whether abortion is a "fundamental right" or not.I am not nearly so concerned about the legality of abortion as I am about it becoming a fundamental right. Our government has a history of taking money out of our pockets in order to provide access to (pay for) the exercise of fundamental rights for those who have little money.
Many people are understandably confused by the rhetoric surrounding the "legality" of abortion, thinking that it is perhaps not right to remove someone's free choice in the matter. But, if abortion becomes legal, then abortion foes might have to participate by paying for them.
The "legalization" of abortion will likely have the side effect of infringing upon the rights of those who are morally opposed to abortions. Should abortion become a fundamental right, then our right to determine how our tax "contributions" are used is voided.
I am morally opposed to abortion. It is also contrary to my religious beliefs. Yet, if abortion becomes a fundamental right, then many women of little means will become eligible for publicly funded abortions. And a part of that money I pay in taxes will provide the funding. Which means that I will be involuntarily condoning something that I consider a moral abomination.
Michael D. Rossetti
Sandy