At 232 years old, the United States is the world’s oldest, uninterrupted democracy. While most other democracies have been in control for less than 100 years or have experienced some authoritarian rule, the United States has been relatively safe. Many other countries have had to wrestle constantly with terrorist groups within their borders seeking to overthrow the democratic process.

We Americans, without a doubt, live in the world’s safest, most stable democratic country that has consistently been a role model for many struggling democracies. Our system has been a source of inspiration to many pro-democracy movements around the world.

So, why does a personal issue like abortion continue to be so explosive in “the land of the free”? Why, in a country that prides itself on personal freedom, are so many people determined to inject their morals into women’s bodies? Among developed countries and in the free world, the United States is one of the few where a woman’s right to choose remains such a controversial and explosive topic.

Now, I will go on record as saying that, rape and saving the woman’s life notwithstanding, I personally believe that abortion is a sad choice. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong; I’m just saying it’s sad. This is just my opinion. There are many things I don’t like – reality TV, Rush Limbaugh, chitterlings, onions – but that’s the benefit of living in a free society. I don’t have to like it or approve of it but that does not mean that someone else’s access to it should be denied or restricted. People should practice better birth control. When the decision to have sex is made both partners, the man as well as the woman, should assume responsibility for birth control.

In most European countries, especially Western and Scandinavian Europe, abortion is almost as readily available as cold medicine. There are little or no “waiting periods” or hours of “consultations”. In some countries, the woman doesn’t have to seek approval from others because of matter concerning her body. She doesn’t have to navigate through crowds of protestors blocking her way into a clinic obviously trying to intimidate her into changing her mind.

Even in many Asian countries, often accused of being backward and where individual freedom is usually restricted, women have virtually unrestricted access to obtaining an abortion. In such countries as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and Singapore, women can practically just walk into a clinic and get an abortion the same day. Japan’s case is somewhat impressive since the government there is actually becoming increasingly concerned about the country’s declining birthrate.

In many other countries, there is no debate over abortion because people see nothing to debate about. It’s a personal issue, not a national issue.

I am not saying that we should be like other countries. The reason why I don’t think we should be like the rest of them is because, being a country that prides itself on being the standard-bearer of democracy and protector of the free world, we’re supposed to be far better than the rest regarding personal freedom. We are supposed to be leading them, not the other way around.

A woman having an abortion is not a national concern. There should be no debate about it.