You have expressed yourself beautifully, clearly, patiently, and kindly. We would do well to emulate this approach in conversations of this nature, whether our conclusions align or don't! "You’re also free to be kind to those who don’t share your opinions, beliefs, or theological convictions." 🤍🤍 Well spoken, Adriel.
Adriel! You have put to words almost exactly to what I've been feeling ever since my miscarriages. I have dropped tidbits here and there for people to try and explain how pregnancy loss changed my perspective of abortion but have never been brave enough to fully explain myself. But this is it and I am so encouraged by you. Thank you so much. I'm sharing this immediately.
I am a right leaning 60 year old man and I really like your article. One of the things I have never understood is why folks so often think in absolutes. Things such as “conservatives cannot support gun control” or “liberals cannot support capital punishment” make no sense. White Christian Nationalism will be the downfall of our republic. (“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” —Samuel Johnson). I am not sure why conservatives cannot be happy about the achievement of a woman that represents a milestone for all women in America. There I said my quiet part out loud—-we are humans first.
Thanks for this Ray. I couldn’t love this comment more. I think if we (both sides) were more courageous about sharing where we dissent on our party’s policies it would be helpful for everyone.
Those examples you shared are good ones! The gun one totally gets me in the gut. It’s widely proven (polling) that Americans want responsible gun legislation no matter the side of the aisle. It’s just that the NRA controls the narrative and our GOP politicians go along with it because of their campaign donations. People on both extremes left and right will never be fully satisfied, but LARGE swathes in the middle and the left and right can agree on things like background checks, assault weapons, etc.
Anyway, thank you again for sharing and for celebrating the achievement of Harris even if you wouldn’t vote for her.
This is my heart, but I know that many of the people in my life would be unwilling to receive it. Thank you for saying it out loud. We could always use a reminder that life is so much more than either/or options. So many both/and realities.
Thanks Adriel for taking a risk and putting yourself out there. So well thought out and expressed. I pray it provokes thought and consideration rather than anger and angst.
Thank you for so thoughtfully sharing these views Adriel. I find myself landing in a similar place as you with almost all of this - but even if I didn’t, I think the way that you express it all is so helpful and grace filled
I have had many pregnancy losses. All "earlyish", but at least six of them. I also experienced emergency complications during my last live birth and am alive today because I was in the right hospital with the right doctors and knew enough to advocate for myself - waiting five minutes for my husband or a nurse to notice what was happening could have led to a very different outcome. So I have lost many pregnancies, I have experienced extreme risk in delivering my own children, and I have done a lot of personal work walking alongside friends and community members in grief for their own losses. This has definitely shaped the maturing of my understanding of these questions, though I have maintained some different convictions and come to different conclusions than you've stated here. My big question with the TFMR argument is not that we do not grieve with those parents. I fully understand that it's not something they would say they "chose," at all, and I don't want to harp on anyone who has been in that horrible position. But when we are stepping back and discussing it here, I didn't see you defend why you thought that was morally acceptable? Why does something being wrong with the baby give us a reason to end it's life in the womb? Who decides what counts as being "bad enough" to terminate? Are there modes of abortion that should or should not be employed with respect to the baby's experience (ie, saline? d&c? inducing labor?)? And is the baby's experience of the abortion something we should take into consideration when making that decision? I am not here looking for a fight, I would truly like to hear more about where this fits in your moral framework here.
Thanks for taking the time to engage and share your concerns Abigail. I really appreciate it and I share some of them. And before I go on, I’m really sorry you’ve experienced miscarriages. It’s a terrible loss.
I didn’t get into talking much about “moral acceptability” because in a pluralistic society where people land in a myriad of places about when personhood begins, there is not shared understanding that we can even start with. It’s highly subjective based on a person’s own personal ethics, their religious conviction/theology, and their knowledge of scientific fact. I’m not arguing for abortion to be right or wrong on purpose because from a policy and legislative standpoint I think that’s a futile approach. It’s not a universally accepted issue of morality such as rape is wrong or human trafficking is wrong. So Instead of arguing about the morality of abortion, I’m arguing about the morality of imposing religious conviction on someone who doesn’t share it and, specifically, the imperative that the morality of who gets to make the choice belongs to the woman and her team. Every decision we make has consequences (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual), but I don’t believe every decision we make should have legal/legislative consequences.
Hope that further explains why I am not going to talk about abortion within the right/wrong binary. Do you feel like I’ve answered your question?
Yes, we're in a pluralistic society, but within that we are "enforcing" a vision of moral behavior all the time! It is absolutely not universally accepted that human trafficking and rape are wrong. Throughout all history and in most of the world today, those things are happening at alarming rates. The idea that they are wrong is relatively new in the grand scheme of history, and it is not at all commonly accepted in most of the world even today. We have an understanding that they are wrong (because they ARE), and so our society outlaws such behavior in an effort to curb it and protect potential victims. So trying to walk away from the right/wrong binary isn't sufficient. It's true that we don't have a shared vision about where personhood begins, but do we need someone else to validate our beliefs before we can use them as a basis to promote what we believe to be a just society through the democratic process? I don't need someone else to validate my belief that human trafficking is wrong before I support legislative and cultural reform that would penalize it. If a growing contingent of Americans supported such things, I wouldn't capitulate that "we all have different understandings about what freedom means here" and walk back from my opposition. I have come to very different conclusions about this all than you have, but I also have not voted Republican in a while and frankly am not even sure what I'm doing this November either, so I'm certainly not arguing one must always support a "pro-life" candidate or that voting for one party is the necessary outcome of those convictions. But I think the framework you have presented here is actually moral approval of abortion, and not simply a practical response to tricky politics in a plural society.
You tell me about a society where there is not universal recognition that rape or human trafficking are not considered wrong. Happening at alarming rates is not proof of moral acceptability. I mean, let’s talk about mass shootings in the USA and the alarming rates of that but no ‘normal’ person would say mass shootings are morally acceptable. This is what I mean by universally accepted. Additionally, I’m not talking about history. I’m talking about now. (Some cultures or religious groups don’t recognize martial rape morally wrong so I’ll grant you that caveat.) Slavery is another example of something now universally accepted as wrong, which certainly has always been the case. Just because there are exceptions within a society (by fringe group, individuals, etc) doesn’t mean it’s not universally accepted as wrong. Maybe “universally” isn’t the best word here, but it’s all I can think of at the moment and I think conveys my point about a shared societal basis for broad agreement on right and wrong. That is my understanding of the difference between saying universal acceptance and unanimous acceptance. The issue of when personhood begins simply can’t be resolved with a universal acceptance.
Ultimately I’m just not going to try and convince you this is not a moral argument for (or against) abortion. I’ve stated as clearly as I know how that what I’ve written here isn’t about the morality of abortion. That’s a very deliberate choice I’ve made. What I’ve tried my best to write about here is the morality of reproductive choice within a pluralistic society where there will never be agreement about when personhood begins. And secondly, it’s about what I believe is a better way to talk about abortion than within the tight, rigid framework of right and wrong. Others are free to do that but it’s just not my intention. You’re welcome to question my motives or assess my communication as insufficient but I’ve tried as best I can.
Beautifully said, beautifully written and I've felt like this for a long time about this issue. To me abortion shouldn't be used as a political pawn, too many lives are at risk. Thank you for writing this, I'd love to check out your book sometime.
In regards to this part: "It may also be of interest to note that I am a dual citizen of the USA and Australia and have spent almost exactly half of my life in each, which has certainly impacted my worldview."
I host a podcast called, The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrants and I'd love to know if you'd be interested in sharing your experience of having dual citizenship and your time in Australia? If so, I can send you an email for more information or you can check out the podcast
Thanks for the invitation Heidy. I’m working on a major deadline for my next book so don’t have the capacity for this type of podcast at the moment, but you’re very welcome to reach out again in a few months if you’d like. My email is hello@adrielbooker.com
Wow. Just wow. Thank you for following your leading and courageously sharing this. It is intelligent, thoughtful, beautiful and humble. I’ve been saying I’m pro-life and pro-choice for years, but could never have expressed it so clearly. Saving this and sharing as able. It is SO needed right now!
Thanks for your feedback Jennifer. I really appreciate it. I hope this can help folks who are struggling to find their place outside of what is often presented.
Thank you for this! You have put into words what I have yet to muster up the courage to express. The framework you have given for living in the tension of being truly pro-life and pro-choice is invaluable.
I admire your courage, and your faithfulness in honoring the truth God has spoken over your life. Its powerful!
This is stunning. I came to the same decision after certifying as a birth doula—the space to make hard choices matters for maternal and reproductive care. And yet I’m personally anti-abortion and could never imagine choosing one on purpose. And yet we don’t always have good choices. The nuance is profound and does not fit into easy sound bites. All that to say: yes, and amen.
Oh this is a good way to put it: we don’t always have good choices. Thank you for that simple, important phrase. Like you, I personally can’t imagine choosing abortion, but I’ve also never been raped and I’ve never had my life threatened and I’ve never been pregnant as a child or teen or walked my own child through that.
Thank you for being honest, practical, moral and yet loving and understanding-
Thank you for speaking from your heart and for speaking out when so many just follow and don’t really get what we are up against here. I wish Kamala could read this ! Sue from cottage
Thank you Sue. These are hard issues to explore and even harder to talk about online where you don’t get the body language and tone to fill out the words. I’m trying though. xx
Thank you my friend… as always your words have inspired & provoked me in a deep way. I often comment that significant works of art should create space for dialogue to exist & expand beyond the viewers momentary interaction. Your crafted words I’ve just read have accomplished this significant & what I would consider - healthy outcome.
I’ve grown up in staunchly “pro-life” circles among those who truly from the depths of their hearts cannot fathom how Christians could ever condone the “taking of a life even in womb.” Yet recently I have several very good, thoughtful friends in the church who have come to the same position you have. I’ve been working to understand and see how Christians could hold space for both while still holding to the truths of Scripture. Your article has done a wonderful job of articulating some of these things. I appreciate the time and energy (and stress) I know you must have put into it.
I’m still wrestling in my mind over some things m- figuring out the balance between letting “truth of scripture” be what speaks instead of letting personal experience inform truth; but also recognizing that I am not omniscient nor do I know the mind of God in such a way that I become an arbiter of truth). I see the nuances and I’m grateful to see faithful Christians holding to truth, doing the work, and loving people while also sharing a space with those who might disagree.
Thanks Megan. This is so hard and so personal. I don’t think there can be “simple” answers and I’m hesitant to champion a right/wrong approach, mostly because I think it’s unhelpful and counterproductive. I suppose more than anything I’m tired of so many of us operating on assumptions because we are afraid to talk about issues that have already been sized up as too taboo to question.
Also, people change their minds. I have. And the honest truth is I might change it again. I hope I always stay open to change and that I never get so set in my ways and beliefs that I’m unable to consider the possibility that I’m not “right.” It’s so important to have a learner’s posture, isn’t it?
I am 63. Thank you for sharing what is a sensitive topic for so many and for having the courage to speak your heart. I’ve been republican forever but recently went independent as I find myself questioning a lot of things I felt so strongly about. Most of what I believed was because I was told this is what I should believe as a Christ follower. In the last several years I have begun to listen to other voices and sort through what I was told, with what people actually experience. I am against abortion but I too have come to understand the difficulties and reasons woman may choose it. You articulated just what I have been feeling these last few years. I do support Kamala, tho I may not agree with all her policies, but I came to the conclusion that I agree less with the republican platform and the lean toward Christian nationalism. Thank you for expressing what I have been feeling for a while
Thanks for sharing Janet. It takes courage to change, especially as we get older, but like you I hope to continue to learn and be adaptable in response. I often think about John Kasich and wonder how the Republican Party might look today if they had chosen him as nominee in 2016. He was a wonderful candidate and someone I think moderate Democrats who didn’t want to vote for Clinton could have gotten behind. But instead the party changed hard and fast making it unrecognizable today, which is so unfortunate because I believe health in both major parties is really important to ensure the balance of power keeps politicians accountable to their actual constituents (not just wealthy donors and powerful lobbyists), and doesn’t get out of control or corrupted by abuse of power. You can see the (bad) fruit of this imbalance in recent SCOTUS decisions like the presidential immunity case, which was a mind blowing ruling that I’m still shocked about.
I don't have words. Just know that I'm giving you a heartfelt enthusiastic standing ovation. Thank you for this post.
Thank you Rachel. Truly.
You have expressed yourself beautifully, clearly, patiently, and kindly. We would do well to emulate this approach in conversations of this nature, whether our conclusions align or don't! "You’re also free to be kind to those who don’t share your opinions, beliefs, or theological convictions." 🤍🤍 Well spoken, Adriel.
Thank you Sarah. It’s not always easy to be kind, but it’s always the way forward. (I try.)
Adriel! You have put to words almost exactly to what I've been feeling ever since my miscarriages. I have dropped tidbits here and there for people to try and explain how pregnancy loss changed my perspective of abortion but have never been brave enough to fully explain myself. But this is it and I am so encouraged by you. Thank you so much. I'm sharing this immediately.
I’m so glad to hear it’s helpful for you Anna. Thank you for your encouragement. I’m trying to write more courageously, which is not always easy.
I am a right leaning 60 year old man and I really like your article. One of the things I have never understood is why folks so often think in absolutes. Things such as “conservatives cannot support gun control” or “liberals cannot support capital punishment” make no sense. White Christian Nationalism will be the downfall of our republic. (“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” —Samuel Johnson). I am not sure why conservatives cannot be happy about the achievement of a woman that represents a milestone for all women in America. There I said my quiet part out loud—-we are humans first.
Thanks for this Ray. I couldn’t love this comment more. I think if we (both sides) were more courageous about sharing where we dissent on our party’s policies it would be helpful for everyone.
Those examples you shared are good ones! The gun one totally gets me in the gut. It’s widely proven (polling) that Americans want responsible gun legislation no matter the side of the aisle. It’s just that the NRA controls the narrative and our GOP politicians go along with it because of their campaign donations. People on both extremes left and right will never be fully satisfied, but LARGE swathes in the middle and the left and right can agree on things like background checks, assault weapons, etc.
Anyway, thank you again for sharing and for celebrating the achievement of Harris even if you wouldn’t vote for her.
This is my heart, but I know that many of the people in my life would be unwilling to receive it. Thank you for saying it out loud. We could always use a reminder that life is so much more than either/or options. So many both/and realities.
I totally get it Lauren. I’m beginning to think there are more of us than we realize, and that gives me a bit of courage.
Thanks Adriel for taking a risk and putting yourself out there. So well thought out and expressed. I pray it provokes thought and consideration rather than anger and angst.
Thank you Andrew. These are hard issues for sure.
Thank you for so thoughtfully sharing these views Adriel. I find myself landing in a similar place as you with almost all of this - but even if I didn’t, I think the way that you express it all is so helpful and grace filled
Thanks Anna. Means a lot. I’m trying to write courageously but graciously. Glad to hear that came through for you.
I have had many pregnancy losses. All "earlyish", but at least six of them. I also experienced emergency complications during my last live birth and am alive today because I was in the right hospital with the right doctors and knew enough to advocate for myself - waiting five minutes for my husband or a nurse to notice what was happening could have led to a very different outcome. So I have lost many pregnancies, I have experienced extreme risk in delivering my own children, and I have done a lot of personal work walking alongside friends and community members in grief for their own losses. This has definitely shaped the maturing of my understanding of these questions, though I have maintained some different convictions and come to different conclusions than you've stated here. My big question with the TFMR argument is not that we do not grieve with those parents. I fully understand that it's not something they would say they "chose," at all, and I don't want to harp on anyone who has been in that horrible position. But when we are stepping back and discussing it here, I didn't see you defend why you thought that was morally acceptable? Why does something being wrong with the baby give us a reason to end it's life in the womb? Who decides what counts as being "bad enough" to terminate? Are there modes of abortion that should or should not be employed with respect to the baby's experience (ie, saline? d&c? inducing labor?)? And is the baby's experience of the abortion something we should take into consideration when making that decision? I am not here looking for a fight, I would truly like to hear more about where this fits in your moral framework here.
Thanks for taking the time to engage and share your concerns Abigail. I really appreciate it and I share some of them. And before I go on, I’m really sorry you’ve experienced miscarriages. It’s a terrible loss.
I didn’t get into talking much about “moral acceptability” because in a pluralistic society where people land in a myriad of places about when personhood begins, there is not shared understanding that we can even start with. It’s highly subjective based on a person’s own personal ethics, their religious conviction/theology, and their knowledge of scientific fact. I’m not arguing for abortion to be right or wrong on purpose because from a policy and legislative standpoint I think that’s a futile approach. It’s not a universally accepted issue of morality such as rape is wrong or human trafficking is wrong. So Instead of arguing about the morality of abortion, I’m arguing about the morality of imposing religious conviction on someone who doesn’t share it and, specifically, the imperative that the morality of who gets to make the choice belongs to the woman and her team. Every decision we make has consequences (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual), but I don’t believe every decision we make should have legal/legislative consequences.
Hope that further explains why I am not going to talk about abortion within the right/wrong binary. Do you feel like I’ve answered your question?
Yes, we're in a pluralistic society, but within that we are "enforcing" a vision of moral behavior all the time! It is absolutely not universally accepted that human trafficking and rape are wrong. Throughout all history and in most of the world today, those things are happening at alarming rates. The idea that they are wrong is relatively new in the grand scheme of history, and it is not at all commonly accepted in most of the world even today. We have an understanding that they are wrong (because they ARE), and so our society outlaws such behavior in an effort to curb it and protect potential victims. So trying to walk away from the right/wrong binary isn't sufficient. It's true that we don't have a shared vision about where personhood begins, but do we need someone else to validate our beliefs before we can use them as a basis to promote what we believe to be a just society through the democratic process? I don't need someone else to validate my belief that human trafficking is wrong before I support legislative and cultural reform that would penalize it. If a growing contingent of Americans supported such things, I wouldn't capitulate that "we all have different understandings about what freedom means here" and walk back from my opposition. I have come to very different conclusions about this all than you have, but I also have not voted Republican in a while and frankly am not even sure what I'm doing this November either, so I'm certainly not arguing one must always support a "pro-life" candidate or that voting for one party is the necessary outcome of those convictions. But I think the framework you have presented here is actually moral approval of abortion, and not simply a practical response to tricky politics in a plural society.
You tell me about a society where there is not universal recognition that rape or human trafficking are not considered wrong. Happening at alarming rates is not proof of moral acceptability. I mean, let’s talk about mass shootings in the USA and the alarming rates of that but no ‘normal’ person would say mass shootings are morally acceptable. This is what I mean by universally accepted. Additionally, I’m not talking about history. I’m talking about now. (Some cultures or religious groups don’t recognize martial rape morally wrong so I’ll grant you that caveat.) Slavery is another example of something now universally accepted as wrong, which certainly has always been the case. Just because there are exceptions within a society (by fringe group, individuals, etc) doesn’t mean it’s not universally accepted as wrong. Maybe “universally” isn’t the best word here, but it’s all I can think of at the moment and I think conveys my point about a shared societal basis for broad agreement on right and wrong. That is my understanding of the difference between saying universal acceptance and unanimous acceptance. The issue of when personhood begins simply can’t be resolved with a universal acceptance.
Ultimately I’m just not going to try and convince you this is not a moral argument for (or against) abortion. I’ve stated as clearly as I know how that what I’ve written here isn’t about the morality of abortion. That’s a very deliberate choice I’ve made. What I’ve tried my best to write about here is the morality of reproductive choice within a pluralistic society where there will never be agreement about when personhood begins. And secondly, it’s about what I believe is a better way to talk about abortion than within the tight, rigid framework of right and wrong. Others are free to do that but it’s just not my intention. You’re welcome to question my motives or assess my communication as insufficient but I’ve tried as best I can.
*hasn’t always been the case
Beautifully said, beautifully written and I've felt like this for a long time about this issue. To me abortion shouldn't be used as a political pawn, too many lives are at risk. Thank you for writing this, I'd love to check out your book sometime.
In regards to this part: "It may also be of interest to note that I am a dual citizen of the USA and Australia and have spent almost exactly half of my life in each, which has certainly impacted my worldview."
I host a podcast called, The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrants and I'd love to know if you'd be interested in sharing your experience of having dual citizenship and your time in Australia? If so, I can send you an email for more information or you can check out the podcast
https://open.substack.com/pub/theamericandreampodcast?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=46jtf8
And then let me know if it's an interest of yours.
Thank you again for putting yourself out there and saying what so many women feel but aren't able to articulate the words correctly.
Thanks for the invitation Heidy. I’m working on a major deadline for my next book so don’t have the capacity for this type of podcast at the moment, but you’re very welcome to reach out again in a few months if you’d like. My email is hello@adrielbooker.com
Oh nice!! Congratulations on your next book. And okay, will do. Thank you!
Wow. Just wow. Thank you for following your leading and courageously sharing this. It is intelligent, thoughtful, beautiful and humble. I’ve been saying I’m pro-life and pro-choice for years, but could never have expressed it so clearly. Saving this and sharing as able. It is SO needed right now!
Thanks for your feedback Jennifer. I really appreciate it. I hope this can help folks who are struggling to find their place outside of what is often presented.
Thank you for this! You have put into words what I have yet to muster up the courage to express. The framework you have given for living in the tension of being truly pro-life and pro-choice is invaluable.
I admire your courage, and your faithfulness in honoring the truth God has spoken over your life. Its powerful!
I’m so glad you found it helpful. Thanks for letting me know, Ashley. 💛
This is stunning. I came to the same decision after certifying as a birth doula—the space to make hard choices matters for maternal and reproductive care. And yet I’m personally anti-abortion and could never imagine choosing one on purpose. And yet we don’t always have good choices. The nuance is profound and does not fit into easy sound bites. All that to say: yes, and amen.
Oh this is a good way to put it: we don’t always have good choices. Thank you for that simple, important phrase. Like you, I personally can’t imagine choosing abortion, but I’ve also never been raped and I’ve never had my life threatened and I’ve never been pregnant as a child or teen or walked my own child through that.
Thank you for being honest, practical, moral and yet loving and understanding-
Thank you for speaking from your heart and for speaking out when so many just follow and don’t really get what we are up against here. I wish Kamala could read this ! Sue from cottage
Thank you Sue. These are hard issues to explore and even harder to talk about online where you don’t get the body language and tone to fill out the words. I’m trying though. xx
Thank you my friend… as always your words have inspired & provoked me in a deep way. I often comment that significant works of art should create space for dialogue to exist & expand beyond the viewers momentary interaction. Your crafted words I’ve just read have accomplished this significant & what I would consider - healthy outcome.
Means a lot coming from a brilliant artist such as yourself. Thank you!
I’ve grown up in staunchly “pro-life” circles among those who truly from the depths of their hearts cannot fathom how Christians could ever condone the “taking of a life even in womb.” Yet recently I have several very good, thoughtful friends in the church who have come to the same position you have. I’ve been working to understand and see how Christians could hold space for both while still holding to the truths of Scripture. Your article has done a wonderful job of articulating some of these things. I appreciate the time and energy (and stress) I know you must have put into it.
I’m still wrestling in my mind over some things m- figuring out the balance between letting “truth of scripture” be what speaks instead of letting personal experience inform truth; but also recognizing that I am not omniscient nor do I know the mind of God in such a way that I become an arbiter of truth). I see the nuances and I’m grateful to see faithful Christians holding to truth, doing the work, and loving people while also sharing a space with those who might disagree.
Thank you.
Thanks Megan. This is so hard and so personal. I don’t think there can be “simple” answers and I’m hesitant to champion a right/wrong approach, mostly because I think it’s unhelpful and counterproductive. I suppose more than anything I’m tired of so many of us operating on assumptions because we are afraid to talk about issues that have already been sized up as too taboo to question.
Also, people change their minds. I have. And the honest truth is I might change it again. I hope I always stay open to change and that I never get so set in my ways and beliefs that I’m unable to consider the possibility that I’m not “right.” It’s so important to have a learner’s posture, isn’t it?
I am 63. Thank you for sharing what is a sensitive topic for so many and for having the courage to speak your heart. I’ve been republican forever but recently went independent as I find myself questioning a lot of things I felt so strongly about. Most of what I believed was because I was told this is what I should believe as a Christ follower. In the last several years I have begun to listen to other voices and sort through what I was told, with what people actually experience. I am against abortion but I too have come to understand the difficulties and reasons woman may choose it. You articulated just what I have been feeling these last few years. I do support Kamala, tho I may not agree with all her policies, but I came to the conclusion that I agree less with the republican platform and the lean toward Christian nationalism. Thank you for expressing what I have been feeling for a while
Thanks for sharing Janet. It takes courage to change, especially as we get older, but like you I hope to continue to learn and be adaptable in response. I often think about John Kasich and wonder how the Republican Party might look today if they had chosen him as nominee in 2016. He was a wonderful candidate and someone I think moderate Democrats who didn’t want to vote for Clinton could have gotten behind. But instead the party changed hard and fast making it unrecognizable today, which is so unfortunate because I believe health in both major parties is really important to ensure the balance of power keeps politicians accountable to their actual constituents (not just wealthy donors and powerful lobbyists), and doesn’t get out of control or corrupted by abuse of power. You can see the (bad) fruit of this imbalance in recent SCOTUS decisions like the presidential immunity case, which was a mind blowing ruling that I’m still shocked about.