Where Bush Moderated, Obama Goes Left

Our country is in a bind and President Obama has lifted the Federal ban on funding for stem cell research. President Bush previously sought to restrict funding for embryonic stem cell research at the behest of pro-life groups. Now I am closer to Obama on the ethical issues of stem cell research, and like him, and unlike President Bush, I am not convinced that embryonic stem cell research is the equivalent of abortion or anything like it. This past November my state had a referendum on whether or not to allow researchers expanded access to embryonic stem cell research and I voted in the affirmative in spite of the fact that many people in my conservative community, whose opinions on other "pro-life" issues I agree with more often than not, were totally opposed to it.

In light of my record of support for embryonic stem cell research it is therefore a surprise that I would oppose President Obama's releasing of Federal funds for embryonic stem cell research. Many associate this position with backward and irrational uber-conservatism and an anti-intellectual mentality. This is not me. What I am most concerned about is a decent compromise on this issue that respects both sides. I believe that President Bush, in spite of being accused by the left of having a hard-right stance on this issue, was in fact taking a moderate stance that should be kept up.

Those who are the staunchest supporters of stem cell research want it funded by our tax dollars. Its largest opponents want embryonic stem cell research banned in all situations. However, I believe that the extreme group who seeks to ban embryonic stem cell research altogether is a minority in this debate. I believe that what those on the opposing side ultimately are opposed to is their tax dollars going to something that they are not totally on board with ethically. The question at hand is not whether embryonic stem cell research is right or wrong, whether it should be allowed or not, or whether or not those who think it is wrong should be forced to pay for it. I know that applying this standard to every situation might not work, as there may be a minority who may not, say, want to pay taxes because they are strict pacifists who oppose the existence of the military. What is different here is that this is a very divisive issue whereas most people agree that refusing to pay for the military is unacceptable, whether they are right or wrong is irrelevant, but as far as the polls are concerned it is clear where most stand. In this case we are divided, and the best way to maintain the peace is a middle approach.

As far as I am concerned, when a divisive social is at hand the best path is not to try to legislate against it nor is it to legislate to fund it. What is best is to simply try the libertarian approach and allow freedom. Freedom to do something some don't like without forcing them to pay for it. Government should not pay for abortions, should not pay to promote gay rights, and should not pay for stem cell research. I don't believe stem cell research is wrong and gladly pay for it, but some do not. On the other hand, performing abortions on live fetuses not created in a Petri dish is something I oppose strongly, and I am angered by the fact that I am forced to pay for it with my own money. I actually wish abortion was illegal, but I recognize that is not going to happen so the best thing is the middle approach. It is the same with stem cell research. I don't mind being taxed to fund something I support, but I don't want a huge segment of our society to have their beliefs put under attack by asking them to contribute.

Barack Obama should have done the wise thing and governed from the middle. Even though I am more on his side than not, I also recognize the importance of moderation. At a time when President Obama needs all the support he can get he has chosen to appease his left-wing base. Doesn't he think that there could be some pro-lifers who supported him on other grounds that will now grow more skeptical, whose support he'll lose? It is his job in the midst of one of our hardest times to unite the American people. In many cases I believe that Barack Obama has made wise choices and chosen to take the moderate path rather than appease his left-wing base, what he needs is more of it. We need to avoid the divisiveness of the last eight years of Bush like it is radioactive material, and in this case we have not made progress toward that. I would encourage President Obama to rethink his lifting on the band of Federal funding for stem cell research. Allow embryonic stem cell research, just don't tax for it.