This is a spinoff on another thread. Do you think there is any issue that is not related to economics at its base? I think economics is at the base of 99.9% of all political issues.

Give me an example and I will try to prove you wrong!

I agree that almost all political issues have underlying economic issues. Abortion - what's your take on that? (after I read Freakonomics it was clear that Roe v. Wade had an impact on reducing crime - but I want to hear your thoughts!)

__________________
Read my Mommysavers Blog: Forget the Joneses
Check out the Mommysavers Group on Facebook

Download my free eBook full of savings ideas for the holidays Click Here

Nope I don't think there really is a POLITICAL issue that does not involve economics

(personally, I don't feel that abortion should be a political issue)

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

I was going to say abortion as well. Kim, I think I see where you're going with Roe v. Wade reducing crime but what did Freakonomics say? Just curious.

Here is the general hypothesis:
The Impact of Legalized Abortion on Crime - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

__________________
Read my Mommysavers Blog: Forget the Joneses
Check out the Mommysavers Group on Facebook

Download my free eBook full of savings ideas for the holidays Click Here

First of all, Wikipedia is not even a good source. It isn't allowed to be used as a source in the university that I teach for. Second, if abortion is so good to "bring down the crime rate" I really don't understand why it would take 18 years to do so. That just doesn't make sense.

Um, I am sitting here trying to think of an issue that isn't connected to the economy and I can't think of one.

Maybe Wikipedia wasn't the best resource, it was just the first thing I could find that explained it.

The theory: Unwanted children are more likely to become troubled adolescents, prone to crime and drug use, than are wanted children. When abortion was legalized in the 1970s, a whole generation of unwanted births were averted, leading to a drop in crime nearly two decades later when this phantom generation would have come of age.
Source: 'Freakonomics' Abortion Research Is Faulted by a Pair of Economists - WSJ.com)

__________________
Read my Mommysavers Blog: Forget the Joneses
Check out the Mommysavers Group on Facebook

Download my free eBook full of savings ideas for the holidays Click Here

Oh, yeah, abortion has an economic basis, too. I don't want to start a debate on it. You all know where I stand on the issue by now.

But, I will try to present BOTH sides as unbiasedly as I possibly can. I am sorry if it slants one way, but I do have my beliefs.

First, the pro-life side: Abortion is run by an industry of people, doctors, nurses who make their money off of abortion. If aboriton became illegal, it would keep these people from making their living. Also, the aborted babies presents lost human potential and capital which would affect the economy (both good and bad really).

Then the pro-abortion side: I can better present this with an example. If a two income home has an unplanned pregnancy that they do not have the option to abort, then the wife (most likely) will have to change her job, lose income, incur daycare expenses, baby expenses, etc. that will affect the economy or the basic family economics. If abortion is illegal, the expense of children will hinder and/or help in the economy in the grand scheme of things.

I hope I explained those as unbiasedly as possible, but it is hard for me to do since I have such strong beliefs on this issue.

Any other examples???

Sorry, I just really get frustrated with Wikipedia.

Um...what do you think of school vouchers?

BTW, Claire, I don't know your stance on abortion and still don't after your post above - so well done

Well I do believe abortion does have an economic impact. I agree that The doctors, clinics, etc do have a monetary stake in weather or not abortion is legal, but in another economic angle, those aborted babies would now be individuals paying into social security. Not all of them would be paying into ss ,I grant, but enough of them. As for the crime rate theory, not every child aborted was destined to be a criminal and the theory is not provable. Many people have risen from nothing to greatness. As for these children being unwanted, the list is a mile long of women wanting to have a baby who are having to adopt a child. You take a untimely child and allow a family to adopt it regardless of racial differences, and you give that child the opportunity to fullfill its potential. In addition to that you also give jobs to everyone associated with child care, from the adoption agency, diaper factory, to daycare centers etc ... It all moves together. So yes, all political issues have an economic aspect, and abortion should be an issue.