ABORTION: FINAL EXAM

ABORTION

OLIVIA CARROLL

            Abortion is a terrible thing. Although many people in our world think that killing an innocent child is an alright thing to do, I am strongly against it. Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal of an embryo from the uterus. So what is an embryo? By definition, an embryo is an unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development. In the process of development are the words of that definition that stick out to me. If the embryo is developing, who are we to decide if it’s alive yet or not? In my opinion, as soon as fertilization takes place, the baby is a living human. The baby should be receiving the same rights that it will receive whenever it is actually born. Although it isn’t born yet, why should parents be granted full right to decide whether or not the baby lives or not?  Just like old people, adults, teens, and small children, a baby, no matter the age, born or not, is still a human and should not be shorted the chance to live because the parents make the decision to have an abortion.

            There are many reasons that women decide to have an abortion. Statistics state that 58% of women that have an abortion are in their 20’s, 61% have 1 or more children, 73% do it because of religious affiliations, 69% choose abortion due to being economically disadvantaged, and 56% of abortions occur with women who are unmarried. Why do these struggles make abortion necessary though? Oh yeah. They don’t. I could care less what the situation is, an abortion is completely unnecessary. Some people also say they choose abortion due to the fact that it interferes with school/work, they cannot afford a child, or they don’t want to be a single parent. Again, these answers are irrelevant to my opinion because no matter what, I feel like an abortion is completely unnecessary.

            People sometimes say that their pregnancy was unintended. In cases like rape, a woman was not willing to get pregnant so they choose to have an abortion. Others say they had protected sex but still got pregnant. My argument to this is that there are alternatives to abortions. Sometimes doctors forget that there are alternatives and instead fill pregnant women’s heads with the terrible idea of abortion and how it’s going to be such a great idea. They forget to tell the women about all of the negative side effects that they are going to face as a result of getting an abortion. Abortion leads to many bad side affects including depression, frustration, anger, etc. Some alternatives include foster care, adoption, and in some cases, people can have the baby, another family can take the baby in, but the family can still see their baby whenever they want. I don’t see how people could choose abortion when these alternatives are placed in front of a family who is about to have a baby.

            In today’s society, getting an abortion is very easy. Nationwide, abortion is legal. State by state, the abortion laws vary. One in every four pregnancies ends in abortion. The abortion rate of women in the overall U.S. population who are poor increased 25% between 2000 and 2008. People choose abortion because they are easy to get. In a lot of states, you don’t have to have a parent’s consent. From 1973 through 2011, nearly 53 million legal abortions have occurred in the U.S. In 2011, the U.S. abortion rate reached its lowest level since 1973. Although this sounds like a good statistic, the point is, a lot of abortions are still occurring, but the rate of abortions has slowed down.

Those people who believe in abortion call themselves “pro-choice”. People like me who are strongly against it refer to themselves as “pro-life”. Between these two extremes is a range of more moderate views. Many people who hold moderate views believe that abortion can be justified, even though there may be ethical concerns. Such concerns involve three basic issues: The status of the fetus, the rights of both a woman and a fetus, and whether the harm of restricting abortion outweighs the loss of life caused by abortions. The opposing view states many different reasons as to why abortion should be legal. One of those viewpoints states that the ability of a woman to have control of her body is critical to civil rights. Take away her reproductive choice and you step onto a slippery slope. If the government can force a woman to continue a pregnancy, then can they force a woman to use contraception or undergo sterilization?

In the United States, abortion is legal. Currently, the Supreme Court is still in favor of abortion being legal. However this could change as some of the Supreme Court Justices are getting old and facing retirement. The upcoming 2016 election could play a major role in whether or not abortion stays legal in the US or not. If the Republicans win the 2016 election, abortion will finally be abolished after too many years of murder of unborn babies.

                 

            

YouTube link: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlh10_lk5e8

Republican

Before taking the political party quiz on isidewith.com, I would've called myself a republican. That's what my parents are, so therefore, I figured I'd be the same thing. After taking the quiz, I have learned that I am 93% Republican. This wasn't much of a surprise to me because that's what my family has always been and I figured I'd be the same. Of the 20+ issues that were listed on the quiz, the one that is most important to me would be abortion. Abortion is an issue that the United States needs to get figured out and under control. Because abortion is causing such problems in the US, the government needs to just get rid of it and stop all of the drama. If ya don't wanna get knocked up, avoid it. If you don't want the kid, give it up for adoption. It's actually a pretty simple process that needs to get taken care of. If murder is illegal than why is abortion even an issue?

McCullen v. Coakley

First things first, The Westboro Baptist Church is probably the dumbest and most cowardly thing I've ever learned about. In the case that is soon to be addressed titled "McCullen v. Coakley", the topic of abortion clinic protests will be addressed. Should people be able to protest at abortion clinics? Well, in my personal opinion, abortion is an extremely terrible thing. How is killing an unborn fetus not murder in some way? Although this case isn't about that, the situation could simply be avoided by just getting rid of abortion in the first place. Now, with this case, since abortion is legal for some unethical reason, people should not be able to protest in a place like an abortion clinic. There are many other places that people like the Westboro Baptist Church decides to protest at and I don't think it should be allowed. There are many supporting details as to why I feel this way. The first would have to be; a person is making a decision to have an abortion. They do not need people standing outside of the building telling them what is right and wrong and having their heads filled with stuff that they simply already know or just don't care about. It is rude and seems unfair in a way that people are having things thrown in their face at a bad time in their lives. Plus, if the abortion is the only thing that the woman can do to maybe save her own life, then she probably already knows that its wrong and is only doing it to save her own life. Next, if they are going to make a distance that you have to be away to protest, the people in charge obviously realize that it isn't a very good act. Why let it happen? Again, people don't need stuff that they already know thrown in their face like that. Lastly, protesting isn't going to change many peoples minds on how they feel about something. Although it may change how a person or two feels, overall, it isn't going to affect too many people. People who protest are dumb. They are simply doing it for attention. They know they are the minority and are trying to get their thoughts out there but clearly they aren't very smart because people already know the stuff they are protesting about and they don't need people telling them, especially at crutial or hard times, what they think is right or wrong. Protesting is dumb and I think it shouldn't be allowed anywhere, at anytime on any day.

The 28th Amendment

There have been many different ideas for the 28th Amendment; some being good ideas and some being absolutely ridiculous. Some political topics that have been considered for the 28th Amendment include: The Equal Rights Amendment, The Adam and Eve Amendment, The Balance Budget Amendment, The Parenthood Amendment, The Gore Amendment, and the Star Spangled Banner Amendment. Of some of the considered amendments above, I think one of the most important ones is The Gore Amendment. This Amendment would simply do away with the Electoral College and simply make the presidential election selected by national vote. Whoever receives the most votes wins. Then, the votes of the American people will actually serve some sort of purpose. It doesn't seem right that in some elections one person may win the most votes among the American people, but the "loser" ends of wining because of the votes placed at the Electoral College. Although this probably isn't a top priority of the problems in America, I think that in future elections this is something that our government needs to consider. People are taking time out of their own days to listen to the people running for election speak and taking time to go vote all for their vote to not even really count. It doesn't make any sense. America has many problems going on today and everyday, but I think in the future this could rise up and become a major issue. We have the freedom to voice our opinions and give our vote so if we have that right, our vote should mean something and should count towards who become our president. The people of America should have the right to make some of the decisions that happen in our country because sometimes the people in charge don't make the best decision for us. If we are granted the privilege and right to vote, then it should mean something. Each person running for president has to give multiple speeches to win over the public, but why? If it's ultimately decided in the Electoral College, then why are our presidential candidates wasting their time and more importantly our time trying to win us over if we don't even count in the long run. This is something that our government needs to get fixed. Either eliminate the Electoral College altogether, or limit them. Don't give them the final say. Make the people of the Electoral College vote just like everyone else in our country. It isn't right for us to not get a say in who runs our country for the next 4 maybe 8 years.

DRUGS, ALCOHOL, & WHY THE AGES NEED CHANGED

Many people address the argument "I'm old enough to die for my country but I can't drink a beer?" Valid argument, right? I think it is. I don't see why the alcohol age isn't 18 because we know people are doing it. When a person turns 18, I think they deserve the right to drink, vote, & fight for their country. The age limit isn't stopping anyone anyway. If they are going to keep the age at 21, then our law enforcement needs to start enforcing the law because there are many people around the US that underage drink every day. People break the rules all the time. I think it would be a good and acceptable idea to change the drinking age the 18.
Current drug and marijuana laws are the same way. People are doing them every single day in the US. They should legalize it because in American and our society, people would rather do something they are told not to do then something that they are allowed to do. I think by legalizing these substances and making the age to do them 18, many people wont be so tempted to try them. People ages 16-20 are the age where they just want to try everything that they aren't supposed to and find out why they aren't supposed to do them. The age should be 18 for drugs and marijuana too.
Lastly, current alcohol, voting, and military laws should all be the same. The age should be 18 for all of them. 18 seems to be a common age that people are graduating high school and looking to further their futures by going to college. People who are 18 are being considered young adults. If someone can die for their country, they should defiantly be able to vote, and drink a beer. Voting makes them feel like their opinion actually counts. Fighting for their country makes them proud to be an American and thankful for their country. Drinking a beer would be the reward for all of their hard work. I say make everything 18 because why not?

Polygamy

Polygamy is another controversial topic that is going on in the US today. Although many people have different opinions about it, I also have an opinion on it. Polygamy may seem like a big deal because people in the united states aren't used to seeing it or hearing about it. Personally, if someone wants to have 4 wives/husbands and everyone is alright with it, then why not? Although many people say that it is a sin to do that, or tell people to "read the bible." The bible is a perfect example of polygamy. it has many scenarios that involve polygamy. Everyone sins in different ways. People who choose to judge people for their sins are simply continuing to sin because you are not supposed to judge people for their actions. Our world has become a very judgmental place. Along with the gay marriage things that are going on, I view polygamy the same way. If its not bothering me or causing me any problems then who am I to say what is right and/or wrong. Society is changing day by day and things are becoming different then what they were and they will continue everyday in the future and no one is going to change that. People have to learn to adjust to the differences and have to learn that what one person thinks is the right way, may not be what another person thinks is the right way. Polygamy may seem wrong, but if people think they are supposed to have 4 wives/husbands, then let them. Although in the long run it probably wont work out, who cares if that's how people choose to live their lives. The supreme court needs to step in and say, people have the freedoms to marry whomever they want because that is their personal life and just because one person involved in the supreme court wouldn't do it and doesn't think its right, there are other people who think it is okay. The people of America need to realize that the life of one person is different then the life of themselves. America is changing and the citizens need to start adjusting and realizing that it isn't what it always has been. New trends and ideas are forming with each day and it is something that we as citizens need to not judge people for.

Abortion

Abortion has been a big controversial topic for many years. People argue that people have the right to their body and stuff along those lines. Abortion is never the answer. No matter the situation, having an abortion is wrong. I think it is especially wrong in a situation where two people were simply careless and become pregnant. Saying that in a situation like that was an accident is a false statement because the two people know that there is a chance that they could become pregnant if they choose to have sex. In situations where rape may have happened, I still think people should have the baby simply because a child may be the best thing that has ever happened to the person or because there are always adoption places where people who are not able to have babies get the chance to experience what its like to have a child. People argue abortion for the wrong reasons. The supreme court needs to take a stand on this. If someone who is pregnant ends up killing the baby but not themselves, they are charged with murder so how is it any different having an abortion? Its not. Abortion needs to be stopped because many helpless children are being killed and not getting to experience life because of the poor decisions of their parents to get an abortion.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

In the United States, there are many different method of punishment that people can face after committing a crime. Many people believe that these actions are considered cruel and unusual and violate the 8th amendment of our constitution. The death penalty is the first one. In my opinion, the death penalty should be allowed. The only method of the death penalty should be through injection. There are many other ways that people could be killed, the electric chair, for example, is one method that should absolutely not be allowed. Making someone suffer is not the way that people should be killed. A type of injection should be the only method allowed. Second is solitary confinement. This should be allowed, but I think that people should be able to see face to face with other people there. Taking away someone's communication with other people is cruel because it makes them lose their confidence and makes people become more angry. People who are trapped become very self conscience and can make people become depressed. I think that in some cases it can help people but most just go crazy and end up back where they started. I think the levels is a good idea. It allows people to earn new things and helps people manage their anger and cooperate. The third type that is being argued is physiological torture. This would be one of the worst punishments that someone could receive. Taking away someone's senses and making them face their fears while being blind folded is cruel and is a form of torture. People who have done something to get them there know they have done the worst of the worst and although our government feels like they should be treated the way they treated someone else is not going to make anything better in the situation. Forcing people to do things they don't want to do isn't going to make them stop being a bad person and I'm sure whenever that person is released, they are going to want revenge on the people who make their life terrible for so long. There are other methods of punishment that can be given rather then philologically torturing someone. The government needs to find new ways to make people pay for the crimes that they committed that are going to help them be a better person, not make them want to kill or harm someone else. Putting people in a room for a short period of time is something that would be okay, but making someone stay in a room with no connection to the outside would for years at a time makes people go crazy and I don't think it would help anything. There are many things that go on in the United States that we don't know about, but looking at the things that we do know about makes America not seem like the place we make it out to be. Many cruel and unusual punishments go on in America everyday and our government needs to find new ways of punishment for the criminals of the United States.

Gun Laws

Although people in the United States have the right to own a gun, many people should not have the right to own a gun because they aren't using them for the right reasons. In order to own a gun, people should have to go through a series of tests and background checks. If people fail to pass one of the tests or have any history on their background checks, they should not be granted the right to own a gun. People should also be age 18 or older to own a gun. People are becoming out of control with guns so our gun sellers need to be more aware of who they are selling guns to. Our government needs to find more ways to help cut back on the gun deaths that happen in America each year. Although gun deaths cannot be stopped completely, there are many things we could do different to help our nation be a better and more safe place.

Westboro Baptist Church

Hate groups such as the Westboro Baptist Church should not be allowed to protest at military funerals. Although they are granted the privilege to have freedom of speech, there should be limits to this amendment. People like the ones from the Westboro Baptist Church are making difficult times more difficult for the families of fallen soldiers by coming to the funeral with signs that are absolutely inappropriate. They should be restricted to attend military funerals because the military is serving for our country so our country's leader should be doing something about it and taking a stand against the protesting that is going on during military funerals. The United States people are very fortunate to have the rights that we do, and even though people have the right to protest at military funerals, our government should consider altering the amendment that grants the US people Freedom of Speech because many people including the ones of the Westboro Baptist Church are taking advantage of the rights that we have been granted by our government. No one but our government can change what is going on in America during the funerals of our fallen soldiers, therefore its time for our government to take a stand against it and place some guidelines on the Freedom of Speech amendment.

                                               

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