Obama and the Freedom of Choice Act: How This Controversy Will Affect You
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Understanding what the Freedom of Choice Act is, how President Obama claims it to be his first act as president and how it will affect you.
The upcoming Bill, “Freedom of Choice Act”, is creating a lot of buzz in the pro-life, pro-choice circles. In a speech President Elect Barrack Obama gave in July of last year, he clearly stated that the first thing he would do once in office is sign the “Freedom of Choice Act”.
If and when this does happen, the FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) would codify all Federal and State laws that have specific restrictions on abortion and would invalidate any limitations that the Supreme Court has put on abortion.
When stating the term restrictions and limitations it is important to know what exactly those are. Currently it is illegal to obtain a “partial birth abortion”, which is when a doctor delivers the baby all the way to its navel and then kills and dissects it. Pro-choice argues that this is a safe, healthy way for the woman to practice her reproductive rights. Pro-life believes it to be murder since the child is alive when being born and yet is killed in such a way. If the FOCA is passed it is almost a definite that partial birth abortions will be legal.
There are other ramifications regarding this issue as well. As of right now almost all states have laws that limit what a minor can do without consent or knowledge from the parents or guardians. If passed, the FOCA will erase that and minors will be able to obtain medications for birth control as well as have an abortion without either consent or knowledge. Pro-choice believes that these laws currently interfere with a minor girls reproductive rights. Pro-life believes that while abortion is wrong, nonetheless a minor is not capable of understanding the gravity of such a choice.
Then there are government restrictions on funding being provided specifically for abortion causes. If passed, the FOCA would find the government to be discriminating against a legal right that women have. This is a major concern for pro-life because they do not want to feel as if their tax dollars are paying for abortions.
Also there would be no more wait periods for abortions. In many states a woman would have to wait anywhere from 24-72 hours before having the procedure so that they could have time to reflect before having it done. This would be no more as well as there would be no more requirements for referrals to adoption agencies or counseling on the alternative options.
In basic point the FOCA would make abortion legal anywhere, anytime, any age. State or Federal Judges and politicians would be found in contempt if they spoke out against the FOCA once it is passed. Doctors would no longer be able to claim they couldn’t do the procedure do to their conscience because it would be recognized as a “healthy option for a woman’s reproductive rights.”
Still many that claim neither pro-life or choice are astounded that President Elect Obama would make such an issue top priority once inaugurated with the nation’s economy in trouble and while still at war. They claim that this issue is “alarming” and are curious as of why he would select abortion in particular to be his first act as president.
We will have to wait and see.
6 Comments
This is a well written and informative article! Nicely done.
The other issue, besides the grotesque and inhumane act of killing innocent babies, is that FOCA allows the federal government to trample on the rights of state government. What is the purpose of state government if the federal government can then overturn any of the laws the state governments enact? Once this line is broached, where does it end?
Why can a child have an abortion but not vote? Why can a child have an abortion but can’t drop out of school until age 16? Why can a child have an aboriton but not be legally allowed to consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes until age 18? Why are parents required to provide care and maintenance for their children (including being held liable for any damage a minor does) until age 18 but FOCA wants to undermine parents by cutting them out of a decision that will imapct the life of that child for the rest of her life? Doesn’t make sense.
FOCA is bad legislation through and through. No good can come from it. Obama should not sign this law and if he does, we will see nothing but bad result from it.
I agree with many of the points you raise here. I am not passionate about the abortion topic but I only think it is ok when the pregnancy is in a early early stage. No partial birth abortions. I am against violation of states rights. This bill if passed in my mind is a an act of tyranny. The abortion topic is a sensitive issue and should be dealt with by the family not the government or laws. Great job getting all the info down.
i had never had much in details about FOCA b4, thanx 4 making this clear…I am very shocked about the results that it will bring if passed and I hope Obama will use his senses wisely, it certainly is one of the worst things that he could do as a president.
Excellent article, armywriter!
For more on this topic, especially what the Roman Catholic Church is doing about Obama\’s love affair with FOCA, see my article, \”Is Defenses of Life A Matter of Compromise?\” by going to http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/Is-Defense-of-Life-a Matter-of Compromise.352547 or by visiting my website, http://www.saccoservices.com and clicking on Articles. Leave a comment, please.
I hope he prays and thinks long & hard on this decision.