Life
Summary--
Life is precious and should be protected. Worldwide trends, on the other hand, show evidence of diminishing respect for life. In cases where there is an apparent conflict between freedom of choice and life, protecting life is and will always be the higher good. I will always vote to favor life.
2012 Legislative Update—
In 2012, Utah adopted a 72-hour waiting period for abortions, providing extra time for reconsideration before taking a step that cannot be undone. Another bill passed allows a court to consider the defendant's parental rights when issuing a stalking injunction. That is another factor that should be considered fairly, but the bill makes clear that the safety of the victim and any minor children are the first concern.2011 Legislative Update--
In 2011, we set reasonable limits on death penalty appeals and stays of execution. We also increased restrictions on clinics that provide abortion services in Utah.2010 Legislative Update--
Two bills on this subject passed. One makes is a crime for a woman to seek an illegal abortion or knowingly cause injury to her unborn child. Another requires that women considering an abortion be offered a chance—if they so desire—to see an ultrasound of their unborn child accompanied by a detailed explanation of what she is seeing. Both of these bills move us in the direction of protecting life. I find it difficult to reconcile the objections to the second bill by those that emphasize the importance of choice. Allowing a woman to be more informed about her choice (if she wishes) will only increase her ability to make a thoughtful choice.
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Life is precious. Life is wondrous. Life is a choice gift of God. Life transcends human endeavors. It should be filled with meaning and joy. It is not something to be trifled with. We should not be irresponsible about creating life. We must not willfully deprive any of God’s children of life. These truths about the unique importance of life have been taught by the world’s predominant cultures for millennia.
Unfortunately, today millions have come to disregard these certainties. As evidence, consider that:
- Approximately 50 million babies have been aborted in the United States since the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973.
- About 46 million abortions are performed each year, worldwide.
- On the last day of 2009, a Montana Supreme Court ruling added that state to Oregon and Washington as one of the three states that allows physician-assisted suicide.
- In 2005, Florida’s legal system ordered that Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube be removed, which resulted in her death shortly thereafter. The federal judicial system did not prevent it. Catholic church officials referred to the courts’ actions as euthanasia. Regardless of the quality of her life, she was alive. Failure to feed her caused her death.
Choice is Important, but Life is Paramount.
On virtually any issue except one involving life and death, standing up for freedom of choice constitutes the moral high ground. Indeed, many of the fundamental rights guaranteed in our constitution and its amendments center on our freedom to choose how we worship, what we say, with whom we associate, and so forth. Freedom is indeed one of our core values as a democratic republic.
But life trumps all. It is clear that the framers of the Declaration of Independence has a serial hierarchy in mind when they listed, as among our “certain unalienable Rights, . . . Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” in that specific order.
Life comes first. Liberty is a fundamental right only unless and until it impinges on the right to life. So when freedom of choice is balanced against the right to life, life is the higher good.
As your legislator I will always vote to favor life.