Palin's Pro-Life "Problem"

Sarah Palin emerged from remote Alaska and has, against all odds, completely altered the political atmosphere in America. She is obviously intelligent, extremely capable and very genuine. She's pleasant and likable, with a story of accomplishment that should be an inspiration for young women everywhere. Few among us would be upset to have daughters as well-rounded and confident as Governor Palin. Her story should make her a hero and a role model we, especially women, celebrate.

Instead, many women are rejecting her out of hand, primarily because of her adamant pro-life stance. They see her as threat to their right to choose, and would allow their disagreement on this single issue to render her unacceptable as a national political hero. They need to think this through.

As Vice-President, or even President, Sarah Palin would have no authority to impose her position on that, or any other personal issue, on the populace at large. She could speak out on the topic, and perhaps encourage or promote her views and the reasoning behind them, but she cannot unilaterally change the law of the land. Across this nation, thousands of religious leaders speak out on this issue on a regular basis. The camps on both sides of the argument are enormous, vociferous and passionate - there is little danger of her one voice altering the balance of the battle.

As a national leader, she could have influence over the appointment of justices to the Supreme Court, which could, conceivably, ultimately result in the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Such a reversal, however, would not automatically outlaw abortion in this country. Rather, it would send the question back to the states. It would take the battle back to the people, allowing each state to legislate the issue as it sees fit, according to the will of its citizens. To the best of my knowledge, there is currently no state with a law that says that, in the event of a reversal of Roe, abortion is suddenly and irrevocably illegal in that state. Not unlike the gay marriage issue, abortion would be decided by the majority of each state's population.

There are those who fear a Constitutional amendment banning abortion. This is extraordinarily unlikely - if the Equal Rights Amendment has not been able to garner enough support to become law in the 85 years since it was first introduced in 1923, and is a much less divisive issue, there is no chance that an anti-abortion amendment would fare any better. Simply stated, pro-life politicians and judges do not have the authority to strip women of their so-called right to choose, whatever their personal agenda.

Allowing this single issue to eradicate all of the positives of this woman is narrow-minded and not in the best interest of womanhood or, indeed, the country.

Sarah Palin is an outstanding representative of our gender. If we consider the whole package she embodies, few among us would wish her failure. She represents so much that we have sought to prove to our male counterparts for decades. She is one of us, as few nationally known women have ever been. To quote an old song, she can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, but not forfeit her self respect in the process. The softer, gentler, more nurturing side of her nature is readily evident even as she demonstrates her strength and inner fortitude.

American women will advance our larger cause by fully embracing and promoting this lady. Her accomplishments will reflect positively on her sisters and our role in a male-dominated world will be forever advanced by her success. The future of feminism, in the best possible definition of the word, stands to gain much in the coming months and years. It would be a shame if the short-sightedness of some members of our gender eradicated those gains.