[mnehring]

The issue for many, and why it is so important, is that Abortion is a reflection of the respect of the rights, and the life of the individual; without that, nothing else matters. If you don't respect an individuals right to exist, then all other rights are meaningless. If one person can control the life of another, literally, their life, than what are any other individual rights? What is free speech if another owns your right to live or die?

The Abortion issue is far more than just the legality of a ‘medical procedure’ (sic) - it is a foundation of individual rights- does an individual own their life or is another allowed to own it.

I see very little difference in this issue and slavery when it comes to a core foundation of principles.

[spetznaz]

That is true, which is why I say the issue is paramount. It is just that it would be nice to also have some fiscal responsibility, fair and proper immigration protocol, adherence to the constitution, property rights, etc thrown into the mix. Not where you see two candidates running for let's say Congress saying that the other guy is pro-life or pro-choice, yet on everything else they are the same.

For instance, there is a certain race where the two candidates are arguing over who has MORE GUNS!

Come on! There has to be more than that! Why does it have to be pick and choose? Is it mutually exclusive to be both pro-life as well as fiscally conservative? Is it impossible for someone who is strong on immigration to also be strong on the rights of a child? Is it untenable to have a person who is pro-business and small government influence/intervention, but at the same time view a fetus as a full human being?

I don't think so! Thus, as important as life is, it doesn't mean everything else gets thrown under the proverbial bus.