The pro-life vote

People with pro-life beliefs are understandably puzzled by pro-life voters who vote for pro-choice candidates.

Data shows that the abortion rate in America decreases under Democratic presidents and policies but remains stagnant during Republican administrations. Why? Seventy-five percent of women who get abortions live at less than the federal poverty level.

The rich woman who gets an abortion because a child would interfere with her career plans is a myth. Imagine the poorly educated single-parent mom with one child, working two minimum-wage jobs to survive. She gets pregnant. She has no health insurance, prenatal care is not an option, getting a better paying job is out of the question and she has no parental leave. She cannot afford to stop working.

Investment in programs that address lack of education, access to health care, economic uncertainty, reduce the rates of unplanned and unwanted pregnancy make it easier for the mom to make the choice to keep the child. It bears repeating. Make it easier for the mom to make the choice to keep the child. A vote for a pro-life candidate by a pro-life voter is a matter of principle where as a vote for a pro-choice candidate by a pro-life voter is a matter of reducing the frequency of abortions.

Maybe someday the Democratic Party will widen the tent to include candidates with pro-life positions. Maybe someday the Republican Party will implement policies to make it easier for moms to keep their children. I hope so.

John Kinney

Metaline Falls, Wash.