Someone Should Ask
Kaine Why He Is Personally
Opposed to Abortion
By Benjamin Clapper
Executive Director, LARTL
If someone said this to you, how would you respond?
"Personally, I'm opposed to child abuse, but the right rule for government is to let people make their own decisions."
Just like me, I am sure you would be flabbergasted to hear such an absurd comment. Child abuse is morally wrong, and because it is wrong, our government has a duty to protect children from abuser, even if the abuser is the child's parent.
Sadly, we are seeing on the biggest stage in America a vice-presidential nominee, Sen. Tim Kaine, say something very similar, simply changing a couple words.
Earlier this summer Sen. Kaine said:
"Personally, I'm opposed to abortion... but the right rule for government is to let women make their own decisions."
Of course, Sen. Kaine is not alone in this way of thinking. You have probably heard this from friends and family members when the topic of abortion has come up.
Many we meet in our lives who make this statement may not have thought too much about what the statement means. This is why it is incumbent on us to gently ask a very simple question to get someone thinking: "Why are you personally opposed to abortion?"
The question seems fair, right? If someone shares that they are personally opposed to abortion, it might be good to find out why.
And for the life of me I can't figure out what someone might honestly answer other than some version of, "Well, I guess I am opposed to the baby being killed."
Then, in a friendly manner, you can respond by saying, "So let me get this straight. You believe abortion kills an innocent baby, and you are opposed to that. But you are fine with the government not protecting that baby?"
Trust me, Sen. Kaine's position on abortion infuriates me, and the confusion that it perpetuates is toxic. But perhaps his position opens the door for a larger conversation with society, one that might actually lead to the discussion of why someone might be personally opposed to abortion at all.
I am sure Sen. Kaine would think my manufactured statement above about child abuse is ridiculous. I am sure he would make an argument about why the analogy isn't consistent. But if the unborn baby is a baby, and you are opposed to killing it, how could you honestly make that statement to the entire nation?
Sen. Kaine can't claim ignorance. We can't assume he has not thought through his position. He is a candidate for vice president for crying out loud.
I hope someone in the media will put these questions to him. He owes an explanation to the American people.
In the meantime, feel confident to ask basic questions to those you meet who share the position. You may find the conversation is much easier than you expected!
