Happy Fortieth Birthday Roe vs. Wade

It was forty years ago today…

We’ll be needing a mighty big cake with a lot of candles for Roe vs. Wade — It’s the Big Four Oh.

Whatever anyone thinks about the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision — and nobody is neutral — it might be responsible for the crime rate going way down starting in the 1990s.  This is according to the authors of Freakonomics.  Their reasoning?  Unwanted children are the most likely to become criminals.  Fewer unwanted children = fewer criminals.

Ironically, in a lot of states it’s more difficult to obtain an abortion now than it was in 1973.  It depends on which state, whether it’s an urban or rural area and — most importantly — the woman’s income level.

Urban California — no problemo.  Washington DC — abortion is readily available but public funding is prohibited.  If you’re poor and pregnant, just remember:  human life is sacred from the point of conception to the moment of birth.

Anywhere in South Dakota — Fugeddaboudit!  South Dakota has one medical clinic that performs abortions, and it’s only open part time.  On top of that, anyone seeking an abortion has to plow through oceans of delays, stalling tactics and “counseling.”

A spokeswoman for the Guttmacher Institute said:

“There’s very much a class divide.  Women who have money and resources and are used to the health-care system will be able to access abortion.... Women who are poor — these restrictions make it more difficult for them.”

Also, four states have laws already on the books which ban ALL abortions, no exceptions.  These laws will take effect immediately on that magic day when Roe vs. Wade gets overturned.  Thirteen other states still have their pre-Roe v. Wade anti-abortion laws on the books.  These laws aren’t being enforced, but on that aforementioned Magic Day…

Nationwide, there are fewer abortion providers today than there were in 1974.

But cheer up.  Did you know:  George W. Bush thought Roe vs. Wade referred to George Washington deciding how to cross the Delaware River.

(This was originally a Dan Quayle joke, but it got modified after the 2000 election.)