This past weekend, I came across a blog post that I’ll say is easily one of the best articles I’ve ever read on the abortion issue.

The author, one Libby Anne, completely takes apart the sham that is misappropriately misnamed the “pro-life” movement, and does so with the deft that only one who came from that very movement can.

My take has always been based on the US Constitution – not to mention the environmental impact of unchecked human population growth – where Amendments 13 and 14 provide the strongest arguments (for me, it is not privacy, as there is no such thing as privacy anymore in the United States, witness Snowden’s expose).

Amendment 13 outlaws involuntary servitude, otherwise known as slavery. Placing all pregnant women in a state of involuntary servitude is not only in violation of said Amendment, it also creates an undue burden of carrying and birthing a child unwillingly in a country adverted strongly as “free.” It is either free for everyone, including pregnant women, or it is not at all.

Amendment 14 defines US citizenship as bestowed on those “born or naturalized” in the US; note that it does NOT state “conceived.”

I challenge any legislature to mandate a documentation of the date of conception for every living being in their jurisdiction. Perhaps the mess of expense and regulation in doing that will finally see a tax code that includes taxing churches for the privilege of all the politicking they engage in, including instructing their flocks who to vote for.

As well, I’d love to see a checkbox on every tax form asking if the filer considers himself or herself to be “pro-life.” They could check the box and in doing so, agree to be taxed at a higher rate so that services can be provided such that no woman ever has to choose abortion…at least for economic reasons. In a perfect world, this would already be the case, but if a supposedly all-powerful “god” really wanted to stop abortion, I kinda think he/she/it would have done so already.

And that is the best proof that we should stick to running the country in a fiscally responsible manner, not policing people’s bedrooms. I, for one, would love to see a full accounting of how much money has been spent on anti-abortion legislation and related activities since Roe v. Wade. I’m sure that money would be better spent on preventing abortion through things like free access to birth control and comprehensive sex education, instead of restriction and denial, which only results in more unplanned pregnancies, and thus more abortions.

That’s precisely the point Libby Anne makes, and she does so with blunt, unabashed thoughtfulness, taking a fearless, fact-based inventory in an almost confessional manner that someone seeking the path toward reason would do.

I’ve noted that no matter the health issue, whether it is abortion or cancer or even experimental back surgery, it seems there is always an anti-choice agenda behind it. With cancer, I see alternative and natural cures suppressed in the name of an industrialized medical complex hellbent on collecting money from pharma drugs, and same goes for the abortion option, where those blocking access to it are creating conditions where more and more expensive, unnecessarily taxpayer-burdening social services and infrastructure will be needed to handle unplanned pregnancies that could have easily been prevented. In an era where taxpayers are (ridiculously) funding Catholic hospital chains, this should come as no surprise. In the end it all boils down to two things: control and the flow of money.

Seeing as pregnancy can be as deadly and debilitating as cancer,  it is with much pleasure that I share this article. As someone who has battled for my health and to make my own choices about how I treat cancer over the long term – even to the point of crossing international borders to exercise said freedom of choice. Until there is real freedom of choice in the US of A, so heavily adverted as “free,” I will continue my treks elsewhere and spend my money where my individual liberties as regards healthcare options are truly honored.

I hope Libby Anne’s excellent article gives you as much food for thought as it did me.

Yours in Great Health,

Alison