Who else here thinks the GOP should change their platform from "pro-life" to "pro-fetus"?

[Jamaal510]

GOPhers like to call themselves pro-life. But if they are truly pro-life, then why do most of them favor the death penalty? And for a party that supposedly values the sanctity of life, some of them actually vote against an anti-rape amendment:
http://www.republicansforrape.org/legislators/

IMO, all they are is pro-fetus, since they care more about fetuses than they do about whether or not a woman has the means to take care of a child once it is born.

[bongbong]

1. Use an honest slogan

Since the issue is not about abortion at all, they should change "pro-life" to "pro-wedge issues that incredibly stupid and racist Nazi-lovers rally around"

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I wouldn't go with "fetus"

because a fetus is in the later stages of development. These folks are pro-zygote. They care more about a fertilized egg that hasn't even undergone cell division yet than they do about the woman who is carrying it.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. They are not 'pro' anything, they are Anti Choice.

I call them what they are. Anti Choice.

[Downwinder]

4. Better go back further, call it pro-rape.

That will fit better with the rest of the platform.

[meow2u3]

6. Pro-rape is right

The rethug party wants to legalize rape and punish the victim for having the misfortune to be overpowered by some brute twice her size, just as the backwards thugs in the Middle East do.

[Freddie]

5. GOP: the Tupperware Party!

Because woman are just containers for zygotes, not like, you know, real human beings and all

[Ednahilda]

7. I've been calling them pro-fetus for years.

And the ones who spend time blocking clinics are "Thugs for Jesus".

[reformist2]

8. They want a fetocracy - Government of the fetus, by the fetus, for the fetus.

[ladym55]

9. Pro fetus ... Anti Choice ... either works for me

If they WERE pro-life, then they would be at the forefront of making sure children and mothers have access to affordable health care ... children would not be living in poverty ... children would not be going to school hungry ...

Republicans ... all about life from conception to birth. After that, starve 'em, stick 'em in prison, and execute when possible.

[avebury]

10. Agreed! nt

[ljm2002]

11. "Forced Birth" n/t

[pansypoo53219]

12. they certainly are not pro-human.

[eppur_se_muova]

13. They're certainly pro-conception.

The idea that conception leads to people seems to elude them.

[slackmaster]

14. Pro-zygote would be more accurate. Here's a historical note that some may find interesting...

...The GOP platform plank calling for an amendment declaring that human life begins at conception first appeared in their 1976 platform, and it's been adopted in every subsequent

The 1976 platform had a strong plank supporting the Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA:

The Republican Party reaffirms its support for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Our Party was the first national party to endorse the E.R.A. in 1940. We continue to believe its ratification is essential to insure equal rights for all Americans. In our 1972 Platform, the Republican Party recognized the great contributions women have made to society as homemakers and mothers, as contributors to the community through volunteer work, and as members of the labor force in careers. The Platform stated then, and repeats now, that the Republican Party "fully endorses the principle of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal responsibilities for women." The Equal Rights Amendment is the embodiment of this principle and therefore we support its swift ratification.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25843

The 1980 platform said this about the ERA:

We acknowledge the legitimate efforts of those who support or oppose ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. (Underlining added for emphasis.)

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25844

And in 1984:

The Republican Party has an historic commitment to equal rights for women.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25845

That's how much their position has shifted in less than one generation.

The 1976 platform added the anti-abortion plank in order to appease the rapidly energizing religious right. It worked, and we got Ronald Reagan just a handful of years after Nixon's disgraceful resignation. The shift to the ridiculous right didn't stop there, but that's where it started. The right got a huge boost in nationalistic (or patriotic if you prefer) fervor from the 1976 bicentennial celebration, with all the parades, flags, ceremonies, etc.