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Pregnant pause

The GOP may be convinced it can overcome the public's support of a woman's right to control her own body by riding its emphasis on taxes and spending into a prosperous tomorrow. But as the economy slowly improves, social issues will almost certainly grow in importance, and a pro-life Supreme Court decision would only speed up that process. All this could give the Democrats the wedge issue they'll need to regain control of the Legislature in 2012 and the Blaine House in 2014.

So what's a rabid social conservative to do?

Nothing. At least for the moment.

Sensible pro-life Republicans would be well-advised to avoid attempting to pass restrictions on abortion until they've achieved some quantifiable economic results. Get the budget deficit under control. Pass some kind of tax break that people will actually notice in their wallets. Do something about the massive unemployment rate in the parts of the state where the only people driving shiny new Lexuses are dealers in stolen prescription opiates.

Then, and only then, might an electorate that leans toward social liberalism be willing to overlook small, incremental reductions in their reproductive rights.

The pro-lifers are fond of saying, "Abortion stops a beating heart." When it comes to the coronary health of the Republican Party, they've got that right.

Give birth to an inspiring thought, and e-mail it to me at aldiamon@herniahill.net.