News flash: Federalism still alive in South Dakota

The role I believe the revival of federalism can play in the advancement of liberty in America has been the subject of several letters to newspapers, and I still intend to write a column-length commentary on it at some point. Fortunately, some members of the South Dakota House feel the same way:

The State Affairs Committee unanimously approved HB1249, which would make it a felony to do abortions if Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, is overturned. The bill would allow exceptions in cases where a pregnant woman's life is at risk.

Personally (and I'm sure many of my Christian friends and family will disagree), I'd rather the federal government (both the Supreme Court and Congress) get completely out of the business of defining murder and marriage, leaving those definitions where they were placed in 1789 - the states. The State Affairs Committee of the South Dakota House has taken the first step in that direction, defining abortion as murder just as it uses its existing state law (not a federal law or court decision) to define manslaughter and negligent homicide.

One head-shaking quote from the Planned Parenthood rep on the scene:

"Making abortion illegal never has and never will stop women from having abortions," Looby said, urging the committee to reject the bill.

Yikes. Making robbery and assault illegal has never been able to stop everyone from mugging and beating people either - but it sure makes people think twice about it first, and pay the price after if they get caught.