Get the Facts: My plan to allow voters to establish consensus on abortion

A proposal to build a consensus on abortion, state by state

Once again, Democrats are seeking to divide the public by exploiting the profound moral issue of abortion by politicizing it before an election that should be focused on the disastrous results of their policies and governance. They have lied about my record and my position on abortion as they continue to engage in the politics of personal destruction. What I am hearing from Wisconsinites is that they are primarily concerned over how to cope with forty-year high inflation, record gasoline prices, rising crime, baby formula shortages, and open borders resulting in a flood of illegal immigrants and deadly drugs.

For almost fifty years the decision of nine unelected Justices in Roe v Wade prevented a democratically derived consensus to be formed on the profound moral issue of abortion. The Dobbs v Jackson decision will now allow that democratic process to unfold in each state to answer this fundamental question: “At what point does society have the responsibility to protect life?”  Because of the profound nature of this decision, we should not rush the debate, but instead allow enough time for a thorough and thoughtful discussion.  

I am hoping that the debate can be conducted with sincerity, compassion, and respect for the broad range of views that people hold. In order for this consensus-building process to proceed with respectful discussion and as little rancor as possible, I am proposing that single-issue referendums be held in the states.

The purpose of the referendums – which could be either binding or non-binding – would be to inform elected representatives on how “we the people” would balance the rights of a mother with the rights of her unborn child. The ballot could be quite simple including questions regarding at how many months and what exceptions would be included?

At what point does society have the responsibility to protect the life of an unborn child?

Option 1). From the moment of conception. 

Option 2). 1 month (4 weeks) after conception 

Option 3). 2 months (8 weeks) after conception

Option 4). 3 months (12 weeks) after conception

Option 5). 4 months (16 weeks) after conception

Option 6). 5 months (20 weeks) after conception

Option 7). 6 months (24 weeks) after conception

Option 8). 7 months (28 weeks) after conception

Option 9). 8 months (32 weeks) after conception

Option 10). Never – an unborn child has no right to life 

I would assume and hope that leading up to voting on this single-issue referendum, the public would become fully informed of the characteristics of an unborn child at each stage of development. To make an informed choice, voters should know an unborn child’s size, functions (heartbeat, ability to feel pain, hear sounds, react to external stimuli) and its ability to survive outside the womb. As abhorrent as it may be to describe, abortion procedures at various stages of gestation should also be fully disclosed and understood.  

I obviously have my own personal views, and like my fellow citizens, I would have one vote to help form a consensus. I may or may not be happy with the outcome, but I would respect the process and be willing to accept the result.  

I am publishing this proposal, because for decades – since at least 1980 –  I have felt this kind of direct democratic process is exactly how this profound moral should be settled. This is not a new position for me. It is a reasonable approach, and the one I think most would likely create the greatest public support for the eventual outcome/consensus.

I believe it should also be noted that Democrats are the extremists when it comes to abortion. They oppose any and all reasonable restrictions on abortion, including abortions right up to the moment of birth. They also want to use your tax dollars to pay for abortions. Those are the extreme positions.