Time to Spread the Pain

It is criminal that we have let a few bear the burden for our wars. These broken soldiers who have been deployed three, four, and five times to the wars are suffering from stress disorders, brain injuries, wounds, and death. If these wars are truly legitimate and are making our country safer, we should all be required to bear the burden. The politicians are fearful that a draft would put the war into all our lives and finally bring the people to judge whether they believe these wars are worth the cost. No deferments for the wealthy. Maybe when rich children start coming back in body bags, things will change.

The Hypocrisy of "Right to Life"

The people who claim that all human life is sacred and focus on abortion rights really don't care that much about human life. They choose the abortion issue because it is convenient and easy to pretend to have the moral high ground on human life. Where is their commitment to those who die from not having health insurance, lack of food, lack of medical research, or war.

What about the estimated 22,000 (Institute of Medicine 2006) Americans who die annually because they do not have health care? The "right to life" people could easily afford to provide health insurance for these 22,000 for pennies a day. But, they do not.

We live in a world where 1 in 6 people - 1.2 billion - do not have enough to eat. An estimated 80,000 people a day worldwide die of starvation from hunger, lack of clean water, and easily treatable diseases. Yet, they are allowed to die, day after day, year after year. The "right to life" people have the financial ability to end this massive die-off. The UN estimates that it would cost 195 billion a year to feed the hungry. Conservatively assuming there are 30 million people in the U.S. who profess right to life, it would cost $6,500 per person. But, they turn their backs. If they were really committed to life, they would donate this money instead of pursuing their materialistic lifestyles.

Stem cell research is another area of hypocrisy. What about the people who would be kept alive by the results of this research? Don't they have a right to life? If a fertilized embryo in a fertility clinic is going to be discarded, wouldn't it be better for humanity to make use of this genetic material? This issue, as are many, is not black and white but gray. Stem cell research may destroy life in a way but also save it.

Wouldn't we all like to live in a world where all children are born, able to be fed, and cared for. But, we do not.All of us would agree that abortion is not an acceptable method of birth control and that the frequency of abortions should be reduced. Yet, the "right to life" sector refuses to back methods that have been proven to reduce abortion - education and access to birth control. The Bush administration's edict to fund only abstinence programs, in order to appease this group, caused more unwanted pregnancies. Abstinence programs do not work. Education and access to birth control programs do. It doesn't cost a penny to say stop abortion. But, it would really show your commitment to life by shelling out thousands for education and birth control programs. If you believe in life, then why not?

Where were the right to life people when the Bush administration attacked the country of Iraq? His devastating decision has caused the deaths, injuries, and displacement of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis. And yet, these are the people who voted to elect Bush. Sure, they were manipulated by the issues of gay marriage and abortion. But, how do they reconcile the killings of an attack on a country that did not attack us? Aren't the Iraqis human? Isn't their life sacred?

If the people who read this truly believe life is sacred, they can demonstrate this by confronting these issues. Protest and vote against a candidate who would espouse an illegal and immoral attack on a country. Fight and vote for a national healthcare system that covers all. Contribute and advocate for programs that end world hunger and teach and distribute birth control. Yes, these issues are costly and difficult. But, if you believe life is sacred, you can find a way.