Are Democrats really pro-choice?

[Shaul]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

 

[Left Coast]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

If the question is rhetorical, what is it you want to talk about?

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I agree. Democrats are, at best, living in the bed of constant ineffectualness dithering around and reaching across the isle to the growing facism in the right. At worst, they're just as bad but think the moral ground is somewhere in the middle. MLK called them the white liberal problem. The 'we mustn't do anything extreme.'

Democrats aren't our friend any more than Republicans are. Certainly aren't libertarians who are too busy trying to remove sexual consent laws for minors than anything important.

But hey, maybe this country will go back in time far enough to hit French revolutionary period. I'll bring the popcorn.

 

[F1fan]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

Because bills in the Senate need 60 votes to pass. Since the democrats don't have 60 members they can't pass what they want.

Some say they should do what McConnell did to to confirm judges and revoke the filibuster and the 60 vote requirement. Democrats could do this with their simple majority, but Manchin has not supported this move.

So, it's republicans in the way. And as we know, it was republicans who worked to get three justices with religious bias onto the supreme court and they did exactly what republicans wanted them to do. Overturn Roe.

Democrats are working to help women get reproductive care in many other ways.

So your claim in the OP is wrong.

 

[F1fan]

I agree. Democrats are, at best, living in the bed of constant ineffectualness dithering around and reaching across the isle to the growing facism in the right. At worst, they're just as bad but think the moral ground is somewhere in the middle. MLK called them the white liberal problem. The 'we mustn't do anything extreme.'

Democrats aren't our friend any more than Republicans are. Certainly aren't libertarians who are too busy trying to remove sexual consent laws for minors than anything important.

But hey, maybe this country will go back in time far enough to hit French revolutionary period. I'll bring the popcorn.

Or Native Americans will take it back.

 

[Revoltingest]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

When you answer your own (good) question
so glibly, I wonder if it's right.
Could it be that not all Dems are pro-choice,
& this prevents passing such legislation?

I also wonder...
If they did pass legislation enabling abortion,
would a suit against it be an opportunity for Trump's new
fundie super-majority to rule the law unconstitutional?
They could prevent it from being a federal level right
as long as they have control.

 

[Heyo]

Or Native Americans will take it back.

The Great Ghost Dance should have happened in 2017.

 

[Heyo]

When you answer your own (good) question
so glibly, I wonder if it's right.
Could it be that not all Dems are pro-choice,
& this prevents passing such legislation?

As we have learned recently, corporations aren't interested in blocking abortions. So the politicians are free to vote according to their conscience. And as most of them think that the most conscious move is what gets them the most power or money, it should be possible to buy some votes. Bribery is legal in the US, so just use it.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

The Great Ghost Dance should have happened in 2017.

With my luck I'd goblinize into a troll and still try and become a decker.

 

[sayak83]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

It will get fillibustered in the Senate by Republicans, that is why...

 

[Twilight Hue]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

It's why I try to read between the lines and surmise how it is behind the scenes behind closed and locked doors.

I think its controversy that gets the votes and makes money.

If you got rid of that , and issues are solved, who is going to be angry enough to vote for one party or another?

A placated public isn't going to pull levers in a state of frenzied anger.

 

[Estro Felino]

As we have learned recently, corporations aren't interested in blocking abortions. So the politicians are free to vote according to their conscience. And as most of them think that the most conscious move is what gets them the most power or money, it should be possible to buy some votes. Bribery is legal in the US, so just use it.

I wonder why...
in a country where healthcare is business...and abortions get paid.

 

[PureX]

As we have learned recently, corporations aren't interested in blocking abortions. So the politicians are free to vote according to their conscience. And as most of them think that the most conscious move is what gets them the most power or money, it should be possible to buy some votes. Bribery is legal in the US, so just use it.

But fascist governments don't allow their politicians to deviate from the party line. And the Republican Party line clearly caters to the religious right, who want to make abortion illegal.

So there is no matter of conscience on the Republican side, and no bribing them, either. As they cannot defy their party's dictates.

 

[ChristineM]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

I am not sure its a political decision to limit/ban abortion but far more influenced by religious think.

Considering the vast majority of Americans are Christian no matter of they are republican or democrat then surely the answer to the title question is... It depends

 

[Heyo]

But fascist governments don't allow their politicians to deviate from the party line. And the Republican Party line clearly caters to the religious right, who want to make abortion illegal.

So there is no matter of conscience on the Republican side, and no bribing them, either. As they cannot defy their party's dictates.

There are two conflicting powers there. One is the religious right and the other is corporations. And the republicans are also the chosen home of some libertarians. With a little money it should be possible to get a pro-choice libertarian into the senate who will still serve the corporations and hold to the party line in most cases but not on abortion. And that in a state where a democrat could never win.

 

[crossfire]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

It's a handy wedge issue that both the republicans and democrats employ.

 

[esmith]

House bill HR 3755 in the Senate failed on a vote of 49 yea 51 nay, needed 60 votes to pass.
But HR 3755 that the House Democrats passed would have allowed abortions up to the time of birth.
Now this was never going to pass and the Dems knew it. All they had to do was put forth a bill that would allow abortion with certain restriction like time factors.
However, being the dumb bunnies they are they didn't. It is suspected that if they had the bill would have passed the Senate.
So, basically the House Democrats are at fault for the current mess we are in.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The Democrats control all the branches of the Federal government necessary to pass legislation. They control the House, the Senate and the Presidency. So why don’t they just pass legislation to ensure abortion is available nationwide? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is they don’t really want to.

They don't control the Senate on this issue.

Democrat senator Joe Manchin votes anti-choice. That tips the balance.

 

[esmith]

They don't control the Senate on this issue.

Democrat senator Joe Manchin votes anti-choice. That tips the balance.

Nope the 60 vote requirement tips the balance.

 

[PureX]

There are two conflicting powers there. One is the religious right and the other is corporations. And the republicans are also the chosen home of some libertarians. With a little money it should be possible to get a pro-choice libertarian into the senate who will still serve the corporations and hold to the party line in most cases but not on abortion. And that in a state where a democrat could never win.

Maybe. But banning abortion is pretty much a non-negotiable issue for the Republican Party. They believe they must hold to it to win elections. If someone were to cross them on that, they'd suspect them of crossing them on anything. And right now they will not abide that. You can't have a conscience and be a republican politician at the national level. And it's not just about banning abortion. It's about banning homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, and whatever else the religious right want in exchange for their votes.