Strengthening Constitutional Self-Government

No Left Turns

WaPo worrywarts and bipolar disorders revisited

I have in recent days commented on discussions of our so-called "culture wars," taking issue with those who accuse religious conservatives of excessive ideological rigidity and with those who take comfort from the fact that many of us are somewhere in the mushy middle.

Along comes Stan Guthrie, who offers a shining example of principled compromise from a "religious conservative" point of view. Here’s a taste:

evangelicals and other "deeply religious" citizens aren’t the only ones who have difficulty compromising on "core values and beliefs." Where was Raspberry when, by judicial fiat, the Supreme Court legalized abortion on demand? Where was he when NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and other so-called "pro-choice" organizations fought tooth and nail against any compromise to limit the number of abortions?

While 45 million unborn children have been aborted since Roe v. Wade in 1973, there has been no talk from the left of compromise on common-sense restrictions such as parental notification, waiting periods, or a ban on grisly partial-birth abortions—only endless assertions about a woman’s right over her "own" body.

He also takes up Hillary Rodham Clinton’s recent efforts at triangulation, which I discussed

here. His proposal:

Let’s take Hillary Clinton up on her offer and see if she is for real. Three items stand out: the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, the Child Custody Protection Act, and amendments that would limit federal spending for abortions. Mrs. Clinton could also back some of President Bush’s pro-life judicial nominees.

Evangelicals, despite what Raspberry says, are more than willing to compromise, figuring half a loaf is better than none. For example, most have given up on a constitutional amendment banning abortion. Instead they are seeking to take smaller steps (such as banning partial-birth abortions) while building social consensus ("a culture of life") on the issue.

Read the whole thing. And if you like it, Mr. Guthrie has his own website

here 

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