A new Pew Research study demonstrates that the growing fight against abortion rights, guaranteed by Roe V. Wade forty years ago, but under constant attack in many Republican governed states and by evangelical right wing Christianity, is centered heavily in EIGHT South Central states heavily dominated by the Republican Party!
These states are Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, where 52 percent in the poll wish to ban all abortions, except for the life of the mother, even making it illegal much earlier in the pregnancy, often before a woman is certain that she is pregnant in the first place!
The New England states are the highest percentage for abortion rights, at 75 percent; followed by 65 percent in the Pacific Coast states; 61 percent in the Mid Atlantic states; 59 percent in the Mountain West states; 50 percent in the Great Lakes states and in the South Atlantic states; and an even divide of 47-47 in the Midwest states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota. Only 40 percent support abortion rights in the South Central states, the only area to be negative!
The divide on abortion on support down to opposition used to be an 18 point gap, but now it is a whopping 35 points!
Once again, it is the GOP dominated parts of the nation, particularly the South and the Great Plains, which is, despite its small population overall, attempting to dominate and make social policy for the more educated, enlightened sections of the nation!
The question is why this is allowed to be so, as the other areas of the country are so far ahead socially, economically, educationally, and are in the 21st century, while in many ways, the GOP dominated states are living in the 19th century!
Good morning Ronald. I have not heard of any legislation passed in any of those states that would prohibit all abortions. If there are I would really like to know. The one I did read and heard about was the Texas law. But that would limit abortion after 5 months except ” if there exists a condition that, in the physician’s reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of the woman that, to avert the woman’s death or a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, other than a psychological condition” – Sec. 171.046. The law also require that clinics meet the same standards as other surgical health-care facilities in the state. Does that seem unreasonable and extreme to you?
The law was passed in a ramrod manner, without adequate hearings, and it will end up closing all but five abortion clinics in a state that is nearly one third of the land area east to west in the nation–about 900 miles from one end to the other, with large swaths having no abortion clinic at all. Do you think, Robert, that is reasonable and NOT extreme in nature?
It’s more than just about abortion for me too! http://www.winningprogressive.org/its-not-about-abortion-to-me
Excellent post Professor!
@Jane Doe
Thanks for the link. Twas an excellent article. 🙂