Quote:
Originally Posted by MarchHare
Is this actually happening today? Has there ever been a single instance of a doctor who is against abortion being forced to perform one anyway? If not, then why do we need to open the can of worms that is "conscience rights" to prevent a non-issue?
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I'm pretty sure there isn't. and it's the point I make to my socially conservative associates who initially think it adds protection for religious leaders (thinking religious leaders are marriage commissioners), for example, when in reality, it makes no difference. Not one socially conservative person has brought up anything besides 'pastors being forced to perform gay marriage' and "being forced to perform abortions", when citing reasons to support conscience rights, when neither of these are even issues today, just fears. Once you explain that it's not going to make any difference but will cost taxpayers money, their support fades pretty quickly.
I'm opposed to the policy FWIW, but I also don't see it as being some big, scary thing either, which is pretty much the point of my arguments. Don't vote against the WRA just because of the conscience rights issue, but look at their entire platform and make a decision on the parts that will actually be of consequence and can be expected to survive after a legal challenges. Only if there's a tie, or it's close, should you make this an issue when deciding who to vote for as it could end up costing use as taxpayers money without any benefit.