I can see the issues on both sides of the abortion debate

I have now published 50 columns in this newspaper on subjects as far ranging as gun control, individual rights, death, taxes and so on.

I have avoided one subject like the plague — abortion. Not so much because I have a strong opinion either way, but because I don’t. I can see the issues, good and bad, from both sides.

There is no shortage of passionate discourse on both sides; one side raising faith to the challenge and the other bracing their cause with the guarantees of the Constitution. My thoughts both embrace and dismiss the logic of these discussions.

One reason I left the Catholic Church years ago was the church’s stand on birth control and the impact it was having on poverty in the developing world. My logic held that without the proactive leadership of the church, the birth rate would continue to increase, poverty would beget more poverty and the population in these countries would grow to unmanageable and unsustainable levels with their fledgling economies.

The church’s stand on abortion, however, cannot be simply dismissed as birth control. Abortion presents a very different issue than taking a pill to prevent a pregnancy.

The termination of a conceived life at any stage of development is tragic. Nothing brings that closer to home than the recent birth of my first grandchild, Abigail.

Holding such a small indefensible child in my arms, I wondered at the promise of her life. I cannot comprehend the contribution this child will make to the world. There is a certain tragedy with precious lives aborted and pre-empted before they could realize life and fulfill a destiny.

When I ran for office in Fairfax County, I was running against a pro-life incumbent who had done very little for his constituents except push his anti-abortion policies. Everywhere I went I was confronted by his supporters demanding that I unequivocally announce my stance on this issue.

Anything less than agreeing with them was shouted down. Any discussion of the rights of the woman or her family was pushed aside as irresponsible. Any attempt to actually discuss the issue was dismissed with taunts and insults.

I lost the election in no small measure due to the fact that I could never get the debate to address other more critical issues. Abortion became the issue and, being a Democrat, my position was assumed.

The rights of the woman, her family and physician to make the decision that is in the best interest of all cannot be interfered with by a government that, by its very nature, is forced to judge in such black and white legal terms. Each case is just too complicated, with unique complications that make any abortion decision a very personal one.

Having a government perform that duty invites incompetence and tragedy.

Outlawing it won’t make abortions go away.

Pregnancy has an impact that cannot be erased with an abortion. I know a number of women who have had abortions. It takes a tremendous toll on their psyche, no matter the reason.

Whether done for convenience or medical necessity, they live with the continued impact of their decision. To drive this decision underground without professional counseling would seem to rip at many more lives than just the unborn child.

Given this very brief overview, I offer for discussion: Does the government belong in the decision process to terminate a pregnancy or should it be left to the woman, the family, pastor and the doctor to make this very private decision?

Finally, let me apologize for being a man trying desperately to understand this issue with little firsthand experience and none of the equipment.