More McHenry County Blog

What is below was presented before the Republican Assembly of Lake County by Congressional candidate Ken Arnold back in 2001. It was an objective proposal and thought piece meant for STATE action, not Federal action, which perhaps shows “a third way” in the clash between our two groups.


By Kenneth W. Arnold

Problem History:

For over 25 years, each side of this issue has butted heads. This issue is based upon the belief systems of the respective individual. As such, the founding father’s wisdom of keeping religious beliefs out of the realm of government is illustrated in this situation. The abortion battles are quite similar to Jews trying to convert Catholics and Catholics trying to convert Jews…

Innovative Solution to our Dilemma:

On this subject, as well as others, reasonable people can work to see the common ground between them. In this area, NOBODY can deny that pregnancies and abortions are:

1) One of the most serious and life changing events that a woman, and her immediate family, can ever have.

2) Is therefore cause for stopping and thinking before acting on this matter WHATEVER one does in this situation (i.e. have the child, give up for adoption, or abort).

If reasonable people can agree on the two points above, then the following solution to our dilemma surely can be had:

A) Like other, very serious decisions in our society (e.g. purchasing a handgun, etc.), have a two-week “waiting period” for any woman contemplating adoption or abortion. This period would be a “cooling off period” from the “heat of the moment”, quick, and irrevocable decision which could otherwise be made under an “abortion on demand” environment.

B) During this waiting period, a mandatory counseling session with a certified counselor organization would be conducted. These organizations could be Right to Life, Planned Parenthood, or any other qualified organization.

C) Key to point “B” above is that such counseling would be on an all inclusive, and objective basis. ALL sides of the issues and the various potential consequences to them would be required to be covered. With this, a “Check off List” at the end of the counseling session would be given the woman where she would check off (and thereby acknowledge) that all points were covered in the counseling session. She would then sign such form.

D) ONLY AFTER such counseling session has been performed, the form signed, and the two-week waiting period has been completed, would the woman then legally be able to do whatever she so chooses. Specifically: Only after pausing, knowing all considerations, and having the time to consider them would she be able to choose to keep the baby, put the baby up for adoption, or abort the fetus.

CONCLUSION:

The above offers a very viable solution to what will otherwise continue to be merely a “butting of heads” between two belief systems. In the meantime, countless women will “rush to judgment” regarding abortion and adoption – only later for they and their families to seriously regret such decision.

Coming together on such common ground IS surely possible. Religious/social conservatives have “abortion on demand” eliminated and get their points of view and beliefs known and shown to each and every woman before the woman, in their opinion, makes a mistake. But it’s a mistake that is theirs, then, to make. Social liberals, on the other hand, must surely agree that a two week wait and counseling of ALL points of view is very reasonable and do not ultimately unduly interfere with a woman potential act of abortion or adoption. Likewise, they cannot argue against a waiting period when they, themselves, demand such for handgun ownership.

Surely, this is a proposal that can place individual responsibility and accountability squarely on the woman. At the same time, it will assuredly reduce post adoption/abortion self-recriminations and abortions that would otherwise rashly occur.

Kenneth W. Arnold
January 18, 2001

Labels: 8th Congressional District, Kden Arnold, Melissa Bean