Shownotes Transcript
n this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explains why it’s important to understand the nature of Roe v. Wade, and the fact that it gave all authority only to doctors, an authority that the Constitution says is that of the states. Life and death legal decisions are to be determined state by state and by the legislators of that state.
Many pro-life individuals errantly believe in the media version of Roe - declaring that Roe v. Wade gave women the right to choose, or gave women control of their own body. But this is NOT is an actual text or application of the decision. It is not. This portrayal by the media is an intentional misrepresentation of *Roe v. Wade. *
Brian reiterates that even Ruth Bader Ginsburg was very clear and resented the fact that women were given no authority through Roe, but in fact, the entire decision gave all agency and authority - all decision making power - only to doctors.
Today, abortion advocates, the media and many others are openly declaring they would like to reassert Roe v. Wade, or enshrine Roe v. Wade into statutory or constitutional law.
This is an intentional falsehood. What they actually desire goes much further than Roe. Close examination of their actions and plans, for example, California’s Proposition 1, or Vermont Proposition 22, gives unlimited rights to abortion without any regulation - something that Roe v. Wade had never granted.
In all reality. abortion advocates actually hate the specific application of Roe v. Wade, and have resented the “patriarchal attitude of medicine” being the final decider of when and how abortions are to be done.
With the overturn of Roe versus Wade, the Dobbs decision specifically empowers each and every state legislature to determine the laws which they would like to see enacted and enforced within their jurisdiction. The only way that these laws can take place is by a vote of the legislature, and each legislature is elected by individual voters throughout that state.
Therefore pro-life individuals, to fully understand their responsibilities at the moment, and the real significance of the Dobbs decision, must be actively involved in electing pro-life candidates at every level of office because pro-life laws can only be passed if we elect pro-life candidates.
Failure to understand Roe, failure to understand Dobbs, failure to understand their right and ability to elect good lawmakers, is a failure of pro-life individuals who would prefer to go in different directions and ignore their civic responsibility.
Laws can only be changed through the civic process. Americans have a great opportunity to do and restore what Lincoln had promised and defended - “government of the people, by the people and for the people”, which is designed to protect the lives of all people.