Can someone explain the benefits of outlawing abortion?

In the 49 years Roe v. Wade was in place, the crime rate in the U.S. plummeted, the overall standard of living went up, more people were educated, technology advanced, and women and minorities enjoyed greater equality. The U.S. also became the sole superpower. You can argue that none of these were related to abortion, but that suggests abortion has no effect on anything. Some of the negative outcomes of outlawing abortion could be:

Increase in the maternal death rate for women who needed abortions for their own health-related reasons
Increase in the infant death rate for children with genetic defects who otherwise would have been aborted
increase in abandoned children and "dumpster babies"
Increase in poverty and child abuse of unwanted children
Growth of a black market in abortion, from "back alley" clinics, drug dealers selling abortion pills, and legitimate doctors performing abortions for their patients
Lower birth rates as more women opt for sterilization out of fear that they won't be able to have an abortion if they need one

So what are the benefits? I'm not looking for abstract platitudes like "increased respect for life" or other vague pronouncements. Abortion is illegal in Guatemala, but I wouldn't point to that country as one where life is respected. I'm asking for specific, concrete benefits. This may be difficult as countries where abortion is illegal tend to have less individual liberty and prosperity than countries where it's legal or at least easily accessible (for example, abortion is illegal in Malta, but Maltese women have an abortion rate similar to other EU countries because they simply go to Italy for their abortions).

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

calicuz · 56-60, M

Everything is give and take in American politics whether we realize it or not, whether we want to admit it or not. The Abortion ruling was a "give" to the conservatives, so the question is, what will the "liberals" take?
We are living in a time where it appears that extremism is the norm, both left and right extremism seem to have all of the attention. I however disagree with this idea, but according to the main stream media, this would "appear" to be true. I personally believe that the majority of Americans are in the middle and want what the whole country wants, which is balance and sensible spending. So since the false narrative is that extremism rules, we have an extreme "win" by the right, so the next question is, what will the left "win?" Could it be that all dreaded "banning of guns?"
Those of us who see the world as it truly is, know that a banning of guns is in the future because to enter a one world government means to do away with the Constitution of the United States, because the Constitution doesn't just protect the "right to bare arms," it's what makes us free to challenge any ruling by the US Supreme Court or any State Supreme Court.

JPWhoo · 36-40, M

@calicuz All the left “wins” in this scenario is a new issue (abortion) to fire up their base and help them win elections.

I don’t see one world government as an inevitability.

You don’t “challenge” US Supreme Court rulings, that’s why it’s the US Supreme Court. The checks on Supreme Court rulings are getting Congress to make new laws or amendments to the Constitution.

calicuz · 56-60, M

@JPWhoo

I'm sorry, I meant challenge as in bringing new evidence to a new argument and have the Supreme Court rule again.

LeopoldBloom · M

@calicuz There won't be a new case with this Supreme Court as there is no evidence that the fascist majority cares about. What will happen is Congress will pass a federal law legalizing abortion nationwide, and now that the Supreme Court has proved itself to be completely corrupt, don't be surprised if Congress lets the next Democratic president add half a dozen justices or strips the court of jurisdiction as Article III of the Constitution allows.

JustGoneNow

@LeopoldBloom what the Supreme Court did in roe v wade is so dangerous. It goes far far beyond just Roe v Wade. It’s the literal definition of judicial activism and should scare the shit out of everyone both republican and democrat alike.

LeopoldBloom · M

@JustGoneNow I assume you mean Dobbs. And yes, the same conservatives who used to complain about "legislating from the bench" haven't had much to say about that. The real problem with Dobbs is the utter lack of concern for precedent.

What needs to happen isn't just adding more liberal justices, although that wouldn't hurt. Congress must use its Article III power to strip the Supreme Court of jurisdiction in appellate cases, and create a new court to handle them. This new court could have term limits, or guaranteed appointments in each presidential term, or pick justices at random every year from the 600+ federal bench.

JustGoneNow

@LeopoldBloom I mean every right that is considered an unenumerated right. Any rights that we enjoy as Americans that is not specifically listed in the constitution is now fair game. Dangerous times. Just saying.

calicuz · 56-60, M

@LeopoldBloom

Well, if we believe what we are being told in the main stream media, we ARE in an age of radicals, both left and right wing. Although I still believe the majority of the country is in the middle, we are just being left without a voice. The "squeaky wheel" is being ignored right now.

LeopoldBloom · M

@JustGoneNow In his Dobbs concurrence, Clarence Thomas explicitly said Griswold is next. They want to outlaw contraception despite the reassurances of people like Missyann that they don't.

LeopoldBloom · M

@calicuz The Overton Window has moved so far to the right, positions that in the past would have been centrist are "far left" and far right positions are fascist.