Actually, here's how it works: the states, not the Federal government, regulate abortion. But as long as Roe vs Wade is the law of the land, states cannot prohibit abortion, any more than they can pass a law establishing a religion or banning a book. If an anti-abortion justice is appointed to the Court, and Roe is overturned, then the states would be free to prohibit abortion. Not all states would. New York, bless its heart, legalized abortion on its own, about a year before the Roe decision. But I am confident that many, many states would very happily step in to prohibit abortion if they were constitutionally empowered to do so. Pennsylvania would; I'm sure of it
At 02:01 PM 5/5/02 -0700, you wrote: >I know that's a common perception but I'm not sure that is legally accurate. >I recently came across a legal analysis of the issue (which I cannot now >locate) which explained and ultimately concluded that it was nearly >impossible to overturn it. I wish I could find it - I think it would be >helpful for all sides to consider. I have to quote from memory on this but I >think it concluded that only a president, if anyone, could overturn it on >the Federal level, but the States would retain their power to decide the >issue. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Deb Messling -^..^- [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------------------------------
