Abortions and entitlement

There was a time, before the development of what is now known as social welfare, when people in a community would make a contribution in support of those that had fallen on hard times or were in dire need.

Collections would take place quietly and respectfully. People would give whatever few pence they could afford.

The circumstances of the unfortunate individual would be explained, including the level of their family support. Names remained confidential.

The response to the fund-raising depended on the circumstances of the beneficiary. Widows? Unquestionably. Deserted wives? Only if deemed not to have her own family support. Unmarried mothers? Again only if in dire hardship with no other support. Now the State holds the purse, so need has become entitlement and entitlement has become demand. In addition to social welfare, the demand is for housing (preferably near mother), with a school nearby, a crèche and a part-time job. Who pays?

Unwanted pregnancies are now presented as an affliction. Treatment demanded under the health services requires abortion clinics. Necessity to leave the country for abortion abroad is presented as everybody’s fault. Abortion must be “safe, legal and free”. “Free” of course, paid for by somebody else. Step up the State.

Who is the State? Any man and woman going out to work trying to rear a family, burdened with taxes, levies, childcare costs, educational costs, bus fares, energy bills, medical bills, rents, insurance costs, home maintenance costs or mortgages. Any pensioner lying on a trolley in A&E with no prospect of a hospital bed, the disabled awaiting treatment that is unavailable or said to be unaffordable.

Roll up, your country needs you.

PJ Holland Co Louth