As a lifelong Republican, I have always considered myself to be "Pro-Family" and "Pro-Life", and believed that government was the problem. My problems with Republicans of the "religious right" were primarily caused by their efforts to "legislate" morality, and their intransigence on the "victimless crime" issue as related to substance abuse. Now that I have joined the Libertarian Party, I find that my views are more compatible with the party Platform(with some modification). Shown below is Jack's proposed rewrite of the WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND ABORTION Platform. see also "Choice and Consequences"
We need fewer laws.
The primary cause of stress and dysfunctional elements
in our society
is excessive government. - Jack Hickey
Suggested rewrite of
As Jack Hickey would have it
We hold that individual rights should not be denied or abridged on the basis of sex. We call for repeal of all laws which discriminate on the basis of gender, such as protective labor laws and marriage or divorce laws which deny the full rights of men and women.
We affirm the right of adults to private choice in consensual sexual activity, and their responsibility to bear the consequences which may result from such choices. Government must neither dictate, prohibit, control, nor encourage any private lifestyle, living arrangement or contractual relationship.
We call for repeal of all legislation and government policies intended to condemn, affirm, encourage or discourage sexual lifestyles or any set of attitudes about such lifestyles.
We also call for government dis-involvement in family planning activities.
We oppose a Constitutional amendment to ban abortion, but also support overturning of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision which banned the prohibition of abortion by sovereign States, because both of these expand the power of the federal government beyond its rightful bounds."
We oppose all government restrictions on the sale (absent fraud) or use of substances which are sold to, and intended for, adult individuals.
We oppose legislation restricting or subsidizing women's (and men's) access to health services.
We acknowledge, that in the first instance, it is the right and obligation of the pregnant woman, who speaks for the "significant other" life within, to determine the course of that pregnancy.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND ABORTION
Some Libertarian writings on the subject
Abortion and Rights: Applying Libertarian Principles Correctly
by Doris Gordon, Libertarians for Life
Abortion: Is Pro-Choice a Libertarian Position?
by Dr. Joseph S. Fulda
by Kelley Ross
(Libertarian Candidate for 40th Assembly District)