My concern over the fanaticism brought out by the Terry Schiavo case, is that it directly challenges fundamental principles of the American tradition; further, that because the media has been able to label it "right wing," and identify it with some Conservatives, it undermines the credibility of all of us. Finally, my concern, as a foe of legalized abortion, is that it sabotages 32 years of efforts to reverse the false reasoning behind Roe vs. Wade.
That is my only agenda. I do not in anyway seek to force the people of any other State or community to accept my social views, if they do not wish to. While I may seek to persuade them, I will never seek to change the rules of civil discourse and the legal limitations on Government--that is to misuse Government--to that end.
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"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed, -- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security..."