If women ever want to see one of their own reside in the OVA-L office, then something needs to change. But the kind of change that needs to be made cannot be forwarded by an American president, even President Barack Obama who promised us “change we can believe in.”

Real change will have to come through the efforts of American women who must find a way to unite and stop fighting against each other in The Egg War^sm.

The Egg War^sm? The war between women over a woman’s right to choose, the subject once again in the foreground of America’s conscience thanks to the anti-abortion Stupak-Pitts Amendment, added to the House of Representatives Health Care Bill solely for political purposes. The legislation has spawned a new debate on a woman’s right to choose and once more pitted women against women. (Since both sides of the issue are Pro-Life, I will not use that term for either side).

Yet again, American women find themselves the chattel of American politics, their reproductive rights being sold to the highest bidder. Call it what it is: The Stupak-Pitt Amendment is nothing less than the trafficking of American women’s wombs. Since the passing of Roe vs. Wade in 1973, The Egg War^sm has played a key role in American politics.

That this debate continues is counterproductive to the ability of women to garner power in Washington, to take ownership of their lives, to maintain the right to protect their health, to secure their right to equal pay for equal work with men. One can argue that the good ol’ boy’s network likes to keep The Egg War^sm alive if for no other reason than it divides women and allows men to keep control of the political dialogue. Both political parties’ have been complicit in the promulgation of The Egg War^sm.

Working on the premise that there is no one who happily chooses abortion as an option in the ending of an unwanted pregnancy, we arrive at where we are today for no reason. Can anyone be sure when life begins?  Advocates of choice can be no more certain that their position is more "right" than that of their opponents who call themselves “pro-life” with their cry that they answer to a Higher Authority. What they answer to is faith. This country was founded on the notion that faith is a personal choice.

And yet each side stands steadfast in their position of choice and faith -- self-righteous all.

The truth is that The Egg War^sm will go on forever and women will therefore remain divided and half as powerful as they might be if each side worked for a compromise that would benefit the whole.

It is a woman’s choice whether or not she wants to remain political chattel.

There is a scenario that could mark the beginning of the end of this polarizing quagmire in which women find themselves. Surely no one can change hearts, but minds can be changed. And the way to do that is to form a commission headed by two women who represent either side of the issue.

The commission’s goal will be to work out a compromise position on abortion so that women can stand as sisters. United, women will no longer allow themselves to be used as toys in political gamesmanship. The commission will probe for viable alternatives to aborting unwanted pregnancies as sound options hardly exist today. The commission will address the subject of rising teenage pregnancy rates in America.

Nearly $60 million dollars has been spent funding opposition to women candidates. How many young mothers could $60 million dollars help if put to their use rather than in a fight without end against one another?

For you who say there is no compromise, you can live with the fact that no compromise will senselessly kill thousands of unwanted babies despite your cry of the moral high-ground in the argument. Pro-choice women who aren’t respectful of their opponents, you risk a future of inequality for your daughters and their daughters.

What happens if we don’t do this? Obviously The Egg War^sm continues, and women as a powerful voting bloc will remain marginalized, their rights and freedoms will continue to be abused for all the wrong reasons. Organizations such as NARAL and Emily’s List will go on funding $30 million dollar campaigns against anti-abortion candidates such as Sarah Palin. Anti-abortion advocates will continue to waste money investing its funds against viable women candidates like Hillary Clinton. American presidents will continue to be addressed as Mr.

Is this what you wish for your daughters?

Here’s the bottom line: At the end of the day it is not about choice. It’s about solution, and ironically, the future of women’s lives. 

© 2008/2009 Halli Casser-Jayne. Reprints with permission.
An earlier version of this story can be read in Halli Casser-Jayne’s new book, A YEAR IN MY PAJAMAS WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA, The Politics of Strange Bedfellows.

     COMMENT HERE

   All Content Copyright ©2007-2008-2009.
   Reprints only by permission from Halli Casser-Jayne/The CJ Political Report