Res Publica 2005

Saw this piece by Matt Wallace and wanted to share it, because on a blog that is dedicated most to the goals of freedom enshrined by the American constitution to all of its members, vunerable, powerful, and inbetween, this struck a real chord:

As I contemplate the Declaration of Independence on the anniversary of its signing, I am chastened by the tragic fact that too many Americans are denied their "unalienable rights" of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Ironically, these same rights are used as an argument for alienating these oppressed and persecuted Americans from their rights as human beings. These Americans are the more than one million preborn children violently killed annually by abortion.

We cherish the freedom to order our lives in the most personally satisfying way. Abortion denies preborn Americans this right to the pursuit of happiness.

We cherish the freedom which empowers us to take advantage of our myriad opportunities. Abortion denies preborn Americans this right to liberty.

We cherish the life for which freedom is so vitally important. Abortion denies preborn Americans this right to life.

The mother's right to go on about her life without even taking nine months off for the sake of a person she helped bring into existance says that her rights are more valuable than the rights of her unborn child. Her inconvenience is worth the death of another.

That's a pretty high price for convenience.

Sort of goes against the founding dream of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness for one and for all. Can't do much pursuing if you don't get a chance to live.