Nation suffers without a middle ground

When in private practice years ago, I would have a rare request for an abortion referral. There were several options, either through a private physician or clinic. I would spend time with the patient discussing her feelings about that. I would make the referral, and the termination would be performed. No one likes abortion.

Over the years, I was shocked to see growing anger, and sometimes violent demonstrations, against Planned Parenthood clinics and their staff. Women who decided to end a pregnancy would have to put up with zealots’ abuse or worse when entering a clinic. Those (with good insurance) who abort- ed privately didn’t face that abuse.

Our country has seen a widening gap in its politics for a few decades. Political parties rarely talk to each other, with entrenched positions and no middle ground. Such entrenchment endangers our democracy and feeds on itself. The schism between Republican and Democrat- ic states will widen.

A reasonable, nonpartisan Supreme Court would not have overturned Roe v. Wade. The court would have appreciated the resulting chaos, which will remain with us for some time. I am not sure when partisan politics played such a large role in selecting justices. I always remembered an effort to choose our most brilliant and impressive jurists, regardless of political lean- ing. Clarence Thomas has always seemed like someone less than adequate to sit on the bench, and that seems to be bearing out now.

Certain states will allow abortions, others will lean toward fanatical policy.

The right wing is having its day in the sun now, but the pendulum does swing. While it does, the nation will suffer much upheaval.