Where we are with Abortion Rights

You may wonder, what with the new Supreme Court and all, where the United States stands now on reproduction rights of women. I think good people can disagree on this topic.

I understand both sides of the argument. I think a woman has a right to choose until the fetus if viable outside the womb, albeit that gets earlier and earlier. But I do understand those that think ending a pregnancy at anytime is wrong. It is a difficult position, and a very personal one.

Particularly as state by state rights roll back protection and endanger women (who might use black market procedures to terminate a pregnancy). These laws in some states make it MUCH harder for poor women to terminate a pregnancy. Let's say you are stuck in a state that requires a 48 hour cool down period (many states) and you live far from a center (Texas is as big as France and has 15, Louisianna and Mississippi have 1 each). Now it takes 2 days off work and a drive hours away - bigger obstacles the less money you have. One state now requires the consent of the father regardless of circumstances, i.e. a rapist can force a victim to take the pregnancy to term. On the other hand, middle class and rich women can simple visit a state (like California, New York or Illinois) where termination is legal.

Two laws are being challenged right now and on their way to the Supreme Court (newly stuffed with Conservatives) that are very bad. 

Mississippi has outlawed abortion after 6 weeks. Many pregnant women don't know they are pregnant at 6 weeks. An a miscarriage is very possible that early. So Mississippi will investigate a woman who has a miscarriage - because it may be an abortion. Mississippi has request that, in reviewing this, the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade.

Texas has hit on a novel (and super ass scary). There it is illegal after 6 weeks to get an abortion, or to help a woman get an abortion (i.e. drive them to New Mexico - the next state over) or providing a woman money for them to fly and get an abortion or provide the morning after pill. 

BUT the scary part is that to get around the federal law regarding what states can do, the law allows ANY RANDOM PERSON to fill a claim against a woman, doctor or those that provide help. If that case is successful, Texas has promised to provide $10,000 to the informant. Which is super ass funny (and super ass scary) if you think of Republicans' comments that China has a surveillance state.

So, that is where our "liberal Democracy" is headed.