Reddit reviews Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation

Reagan believed that the divide between libertarian fiscal conservatives and social conservatives would be solved by what he called "new federalism." He supported local communities' right to settle moral issues. i.e., if a small town in Alabama wants to ban Hustler from its library or blaring obscenity filled rap music out your car, then they can do that.

In 1968, 5 years before Roe v. Wade, he as governor of California signed the most liberal abortion law in the country. It allowed abortion in any case where the mother's life or health was in danger, though the flaw was that it was broadly written and mothers whose "mental health" was in danger were getting abortions practically on demand. He later said it was a huge mistake of a law. He later supported a human life amendment to the Constitution. He also, as President (which is odd), wrote a book about his pro-life convictions in http://www.amazon.com/Abortion-Conscience-Nation-Ronald-Reagan/dp/0840741162 Upon leaving office he said his biggest regret was not doing more to end abortion and that America would never be "completely civilized" as long as abortion on demand was legal.

What was most interesting about Reagan's stance on abortion was that the "when does life begin" question was irrelevant. He said, "If you don't know whether a body is alive or dead, you would never bury it" and "Until someone can prove the unborn child is not a life, shouldn't we give it the benefit of the doubt and assume that it is?"

Was that the main social issue you were wondering about or did you also mean things like welfare reform?

Reagan wrote this book while in office:

http://www.amazon.com/Abortion-Conscience-Nation-Ronald-Reagan/dp/0840741162/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0