Blog for Choice

Today's the anniversary of Roe V. Wade and we are all supposed to Blog for Choice. Yay. What do you think a raving feminist liberal like me is going to say?

Maybe not what you think.

I hate the abortion controversy. I am done with abortion. I know, it is our precious right, the thing that Must Not Be Taken Away, the thing that we must all fight for no matter what.

My cynical take on it is this: both sides need abortion. Feminism needs abortion as a rallying cry because it is quick and easy to get people riled up about. One simple issue - yes or no.

And the Right needs abortion, LOVES abortion, because it keeps strong women's energy focused on this one tiny issue and away from the important everyday stuff that would affect women in a bigger way - equal pay, health care, child care, the disappearance of the middle class.

Nobody is going to outlaw abortion. They aren't even going to restrict it very much. They're just going to keep talking about doing it. It will be like the Shiny Object the magician waves in front of us to keep our attention while he digs playing cards out of his sleeve.

Presto chango, girlies. Over here! Look at abortion! Meanwhile I will be cutting education funding, sending your job to India and taxing healthcare benefits! Ta-da!