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With the results of the 2004 election behind us, I hark back to John Kerry's remark that Bush will bring "more
of the same" in the next four years. But will it be the same, with job losses, forced shutdowns of family clinics, and the perpetual war on terror? Or will it be much worse? I can't help but be bitter at the failed turnout of
young people. No increase in the number of youth votes occurred on November 2, and I'm saddened to be a part of this generation. Here we are, young and could change the world if we really wanted to, but only 17% of us felt
motivated enough to cast a ballot. Ballots that could have made all the difference and ensured the protection of the rights we deserve as Americans.
But since we can't go back, there are issues we are now confronted with
that need immediate action. The nation is indisputably divided, but with a Republican majority in the House and Senate and control of the White House, American politics are taking on a scary conservative game.
At least three
Supreme Court justices are in high probability of retiring in the forthcoming years, and with several of the positions currently filled by liberals, the right-wing swing very well could occur here too. Reinquist will undoubtedly
retire after Inauguration day, leaving the spot of Chief Justice open to Sandra Day O'Connor, who has helped maintain abortion as a legal right. However, a staunch conservative will then fill her spot. The trouble comes; however,
in the event Ruth Bader Ginsburg steps down, whose health has been failing recently and if John Paul Stevens retires, who is 82 years old. Conservatives will fill these two chairs as well, tipping the scale in the "right"
direction. If one of these aforementioned women's rights supporters step down, what will happen? What will happen to women's right to choose which is currently hanging on by a five to four majority thread?
Although highly
frowned upon, the Supreme Court has the authority to overturn a previously passed law. If one of the liberal spots in the Supreme Court "turns red," the monumental document for women's rights, Roe vs. Wade could be
reversed, and abortion could be become illegal. History would change in an instant and a male dominated government will once again control women's bodies. Desperate women will be forced into back-alleys, risking the destruction of
their bodies due to lawmakers that feel we don't deserve the option to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Even without such a harsh upheaval as the repeal of Roe vs. Wade, women's right to choose is still in question. With a
president that holds extremist views on abortion, women's lives hang in the balance. The fact that Bush was more than willing to ban partial-birth abortions without allowances for women whose lives are put in danger by a full-term
pregnancy shows a lack of respect. It also shows the eerie possibilities for social injustice.
I'm more frightened at the vast array of possibilities this administration could impose in the next four years. With Bush voicing
his opinion on abortion in every debate, conservative America took it as a sole reason to vote for him. This one issue very well could have won Bush the election, and I can't help but question the reasoning behind people's
decision. Pro-life sentiments won one of the most important elections in history and the 48% of us who opt for choice feel the gag being shoved further down our throats.
Sadly, only time will tell if the court cases of the
past will be upheld. In the next four years, we'll see if civil liberty shines through, and if our muted voices can rise above the drone of propaganda.
This is why women who lean left need to speak up. If you're pro-choice,
say so. The youth of American needs to take the time to form an opinion. Too many of the young people of today feel no connection to the issues, yet this administration is putting a strangle hold on some of the most important
topics associated with the younger crowd.
The administration might cut funding to clinics that perform abortions. They may get shut down. And the pro-life protesters outside a local Planned Parenthood might hold up
anti-abortion signs to shock people, but let them assemble. Where are our signs? Pro-choice supporters everywhere need to stand up and fight. Women need to protect what is rightfully there's and the young need to form a voice.
Combined, we can save the women's right to control their own bodies, but only if the people are moved enough to care. What will it take to push you into action?
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