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It is an abortion reference, but conservatives have also traditionally been conservative about forms of bodily expression such as piercings, tattoos, clothing choices, hair styles. Also, sexual preferences. Also, assisted suicide. Also, drugs. Although, the recent anti-smoking, soda tax, and health food pushes have come from progressives. Maybe progressives will become anti-abortion when then realize that it is racist.

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Being conservative about bodily expression is manifest by our distaste for it, not by efforts to ban it. Ditto sexual preferences. Conservatives may find certain things distasteful, but we (most of us) aren't trying to ban them.

With regard to assisted suicide (note that you qualified it with "assisted" and not just "suicide"), the opposition to it is grounded in the fact that in many cases the individual is not competent to make the decision (or are not free of coercion in the decision); similarly, it's why competence (and the absence of duress) is a necessary element of a valid contract or will. I don't think it's anti-my body/my choice to oppose contracts and wills signed by incompetent people (or those under duress).

Drugs, I suppose I'll agree with you there, at least with regard to recreational drugs, although I can see similarities with the opposition to assisted suicide. To wit: those on drugs are not in position to make competent decisions. Also, IINM, William F. Buckley, Jr. - a conservative's conservative if ever there were one - favored decriminalizing drugs. So there's that.

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You can make yourself look like a fuckin clown, but I'm not going to date you or hire you.

Progressives would like the government to force me to do both. At gunpoint. For a fairer, kinder world.

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