On Trump's "Pro Life" and Johnson's "Pro Choice" Stances

The 2016 Republican nominee for President has caused many to pause and consider where their vote should go this November.

For many, Governor Gary Johnson has become a possibility.  

Objection:  Gary Johnson is "pro choice"

One thing I notice over and over again as people give Gov. Johnson a serious look, is that many get snagged by his "pro choice" stance on abortion.  This is especially true among those who share my Christian worldview.

Counter Question:  Is Trump Pro Life?

The question I believe one could most naturally ask in response to this objection is:  "Which candidate in 2016's election is pro life?"

The only possibility is Donald Trump.  But an extremely valid follow-up question is, "Donald Trump pro life"?

I won't restate what's already been recorded regarding his various positions on abortion.  He's had at least a couple (or five) evolutions on his stance.  Also to be noted, abortion is not listed as one of the issues he's chosen to publish on his campaign website (this should indicate to voters where his "pro life" policy falls on his priority list...)

Instead I'll focus on the latest statement he's made that clarifies he seems to mean when he says he's "pro life".  

Mr. Trump has stated that he, "like Ronald Reagan, [is] pro-life with exceptions."

"With... exceptions..." Interesting...

The Implication of "Exceptions"

What do "exceptions" imply?

"Exceptions", at the very least, mean: The subject is complicated.  So complicated that in Mr. Trump's mind, it's too complicated for government to wisely intervene and decide "this is best for your life" in all instances.

To act wisely in any situation requires knowledge, and for the government to have knowledge to act wisely in all instances for a given policy is... well... near 0% probability.

Mr. Trump refers to incest... rape... when the life of the mother is in jeopardy... the classic complicated cases where even some Christians struggle and say, "Man... wow... this is a tough, tough call to make."

So... if you can even semi-remotely agree that the topic is less black and white than many make it out to be, you can understand Mr. Trump's stance.  If you can't, then you must conclude that Mr. Trump is not "pro life" -- at least not in the sense that you, yourself, are "pro life".

But if you can semi-remotely agree that the topic is less black and white than many make it out to be, I contend that you can also understand Governor Johnson's stance.

Why?

Similar Stances

The stances are very, very similar.

I don't speak for Gary Johnson, but if I can state an observation: It seems to me that the challenge he's posing is precisely this: Making very complicated, very personal health decisions is something that the government is extremely incompetent at.

These decisions are often so complicated, that in some situations, exceptions would have to be allowed.  And if some situations would need exceptions, how are the exceptions decided upon?  Why are some exceptions excluded while others are adopted?

Do you see the point?

The Libertarian Mindset

The Libertarian mindset almost always challenges the role of government in our lives and in our personal choices.  All the government can do is pass broad, sweeping legislation that inevitably results in overreach.  Government is really, really bad at this whole "exceptions" thing.  Which is probably why Gary Johnson says, "Get the government out of the decision in the first place!"

So whether you say, "The government needs to make exceptions when legislating this issue", or you say, "The fact that the government would need to make exceptions, proves that it shouldn't be legislating this issue in the first place due to its personal and complicated nature", you're not that far off from saying almost the same thing.

A Personal Note

For what it's worth, I actually disagree with Governor Johnson on this policy point, because I believe the Constitution forbids the denial of life without due process of law.  I'm no Constitutional lawyer, that's for certain, but a plain reading leads me to conclude that we ought to be protecting human life wherever it exists, both the mother's and the child's, whenever possible.

This is not to minimize the complexity of the issue -- it is to say that I think government has a role in the issue because we, the people, by means of the Constitution, grant it that authority.  This is fundamentally where I part with traditional Libertarian mindset on this issue if I understand the mindset correctly.  But for me, the election is about far more than this single issue.

So I move on and look at the rest of the policies I can agree with... and my agreement with Gary Johnson is far higher than any other candidate on the ballot this year.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is this:  Donald Trump isn't the kind of "pro life" that many Christians identify with.

If that's the case for you (ie, that "with exceptions" clause unsettles you), then I argue that no presidential candidate in 2016 is "pro life" like you're "pro life".

What, then, can you do?

1. You could concede that no significant progress toward your worldview's position on abortion will be made this election cycle and continue considering all of your options for President this fall, including Gary Johnson. 
2. If possible, consider more than just abortion in your analysis of the 2016 presidential candidates.  While I recognize this is a huge, huge issue for you (it is for me too!), this is one facet of the role of government in our everyday lives.  Wise voting takes into consideration the multitude of issues and variables that confront us.  To narrow the choice down to a single issue is, in my opinion, dangerously close to unwise.
3. If you just can't move past the issue of abortion, you could simply abstain from voting for President, but still vote for Congress and other ballot items.  Alternatively, so long as it won't invalidate your ballot, you could be free to write in a candidate who matches your views on abortion.

The one thing you shouldn't do is feel locked in to voting Donald Trump because he's "pro life", or feel as if you can't vote for Gary Johnson because he's "pro choice".  If you can stomach Trump's "with exceptions", you should be open Johnson's, "omit the need for exceptions by getting the government out to begin with!"