Issue Position: Abortion, Euthanasia and the Sanctity of Life

Issue Position

The issue of abortion has been strongly debated in the United States since the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case in which the court ruled a woman's right to privacy permitted her to have an abortion. Since that time, opposing sides have used the terms "pro-life" or "pro-choice," or "against abortion rights" or "for abortion rights" to define their respective position on the issue.

I am a pro-life candidate and will vote in favor of measures which protect life from conception to natural death. I respect those with opposing views on this issue, but believe government does not have the right to determine the value of life and its protection because it will be based on the ever-changing philosophy of the day. Instead, I believe there needs to be a fixed moral position.

To me, human life starts at conception, therefore legal protection needs to be afforded to the unborn and continue through the process of natural death.

My personal philosophy is that pro-life protection does not end with the abortion issue. It extends through the natural life span of each person. It means giving food, water and comfort to those nearing the end of their life. This is in contrast with the philosophy of euthanasia or some form of hastened death.

I put my pro-life views into practice on a daily basis by being a volunteer on the Browns Valley ambulance crew. Going out at 3:00 AM to potentially save any life is an extension of my personal pro-life position. As State Representative, I will personally work to support pro-life legislation to give legal protection and defend all stages of life.

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