Why can't good people get together on abortion?

I believe President Clinton said that his objective was to make abortion safe, legal and rare. I'm glad that abortion is safe and legal. But, one million or more abortions per year in our country suggests to me that abortion is anything but rare.

This tragedy of so many terminated pregnancies is deeply problematic and calls for a different outcome.

I believe that the people of both Planned Parenthood and the pro-life movement are good people who are deeply committed to advancing the common decency of our country.

Planned Parenthood may, or may not, be the largest provider of abortions in our country. But, Planned Parenthood also does an enormous good in providing all manner of health services to women and teenage girls, including those who seek to have their babies.

Pro-life advocates may, or may not, be totally insensitive to the legitimate right of women to control their own lives, and especially in regard to childbirth. But, pro-life advocates do an enormous good in promoting life from before birth until death. They not only greatly help pregnant women and teenage girls, but greatly help people of all ages and needs.

So, because they're so committed to common decency, why can't these good people of strongly different beliefs at least come together and find ways where they can agree and work together for common goals? Perhaps, by doing so, they can largely reduce the number of abortions and increase the value and decency of life for all of us.

I once heard a sermon about a 19th century Episcopal Church leader who had said, "I strongly adhere to the principle of compromise not as a way to keep the peace but as a way to find the truth." Actually, it turned out to be a pretty good sermon.

Dave Schulz

Hawthorn Woods