In the run-up to the Republican convention, I’ve been watching some of the talking heads on TV offering up their opinions of the most important demographics and issues of the election. As they are calling it, the entire thing is dependent on who women and Hispanics prefer (Anglo men are irrelevant, apparently), and their main issues are the desire to abort their children (women) and the desire to illegally immigrate (Hispanics). Therefore, Obama will win, because he supports illegal immigration AND abortion.
It’s really a bit overwhelming to see how these two angles are pushed over and over again. I think one could make a better case for the women wanting to abort their children argument than Hispanics wanting more illegal immigration. For one thing, Hispanics who can vote are citizens, so they have no need to illegally immigrate, and in addition to that illegal immigration is just as much of a threat to their wages as it is to other men’s. Illegal immigration, on the balance, has been a disaster for America’s working men of all races. From the early 90s through 2008, blue collar jobs were either outsourced or handed to cheaper, more easily exploited illegals in unprecedented numbers.
When I was 18, finding a summer job in construction was easy. Today, a couple decades later, young men in similar situations are going to find themselves competing with experienced adult construction workers, many of whom are illegal immigrants who need the job a lot a more. This is true throughout the blue-collar world. Hispanic citizens, aside from professional racial lobbyists, probably aren’t all that thrilled about it either, so I don’t think ordinary Hispanics are voting Democrat for the illegal immigration, but rather the promises of preferential hiring (affirmative action) and welfare. Also, let’s face it: the Bush administration was the worst in US history in terms of maintaining the integrity of our borders and the immigration process, so if you simply want more illegal immigration it probably doesn’t matter which party you vote for.
As for female voters, it may well be that they prefer Democrats because they want abortions. This is unfortunate, but I wouldn’t rule it out.
The reason this disappoints me is that supporting legal abortion is analogous to supporting legal prostitution. Both are reasonable positions to take, but they aren’t the kind of thing that should determine a presidential election.
Say men fought for legalized prostitution with the same vigor that feminists fight for abortion. Using the same logic as the pro-abortion crowd, men could argue that there’s a moral case to be made for legalized prostitution. Pro abortion activists say that criminalizing abortion will lead to “back-alley abortions.” Pro prostitution activists can point out that there is already a great deal of “back alley” prostitution, and it is a lot more dangerous that way for both clients and prostitutes.
Then there is the matter of “choice.” The prostitute should have a “choice,” as should the client. However, in prostitution choice goes even beyond the body, extending to property and commerce as well. If it’s a private deal that doesn’t affect others, Shouldn’t adult men and women be able to choose how they make and spend their money?
Some people could make a moral case against prostitution, saying it encourages vice. But so does abortion, because it gives women the opportunity to hook up and then simply exterminate the resulting child rather than have to deal with the natural consequences of sex.
The point is that if MRAs or masculists were to make legalization of prostitution a national issue, they’d be widely condemned (and probably ridiculed as well), but when feminists make abortion a top priority we’re supposed to take it for granted that they should get what they want without any criticism or question. However, if you take a hard look at both issues, neither is morally ideal. In fact, from a Christian perspective, prostitution is the lesser evil, because at least it doesn’t involve extermination of human life.
So, although I’m highly skeptical of Republicans and their motives (it’s hard to forget what a train wreck the last administration was), I can’t help but be disgusted by the fact that the Democrats apparently expect to win by building their platform on support for social evils.
Incidentally, I think the prostitution/abortion comparison makes a good talking point. Next time you hear someone saying they support abortion because of “choice” and safety, ask whether they therefore support legal prostitution as well, and if not, why? And if they are casting their vote on the abortion issue, feel free to compare it to men casting their vote according to which candidate supports prostitution.
