Going for "the opposite"

My background is in theatre and a piece of advice that is often given to actors in regard to auditions is "go for the opposite."   If the text appears to be written a certain way, read it another way - if it sounds angry, read it calm and soft.  If it appears to be a throwaway line - punch it.  You get the idea.  It makes the director notice you, it provides a surprise from the umpteenth similar reading, it sets you apart.

I think that's what Dems need to do - they need to surprise, they need to go another direction in achieving their goals, they need to spring the unexpected.

Case Number One (I'll have more!)- abortion.  The Republicans have placed their entire focus on the legality of abortion and the Dems have, obligingly, focused their attention on that aspect as well.  So it turns into "who wants to kill babies and who does not?"   Not true of course, but that's the way it's played.  

But if you REALLY want to reduce the number of abortions, you help women who are pregnant.  It's economics more than anything that is at the root of abortions (Mucho data here, do a google).   So, what if the Dems introduce the Women and Babies Protection Act (WABPA) which guarantees funding for pre-natal, delivery, and 1 year care for women and babies who are without health and child care and does not, repeat, does NOT address anything to do with the legality of it?

It's a pro-active stance, it's very much "pro-life", and it fits very well into what Dems should stand for.   How can anyone who is pro-life NOT support something like this?   And, best of all, it takes the focus away from the legality and puts the focus where it should be - on helping women.  

I admit to being on the fence on this issue - I abhor abortion but support (100%) a women's right to choose.  But the right to choose ought to include safeguards for those women who do not choose to have an abortion.   And the way our argument is framed now, those safeguards are not part of the Dem position.   And it sure as shit isn't included in the Republican position.   They just wanna make it illegal.   The Dems need to show that illegality won't prevent abortions, but they ALSO must have a proposal that will help, in a positive way, to reduce them.

My .02 along with the multitude of .02s being offered.  (Next up - No Child Left Behind - hahahahahaha - don't even get me started.)

eileen from OH