I wanted to post this because the analysis does two things.
First, the author concludes that the legalization of abortion was the greatest cause behind the vast decrease in crime rates. This is a different conclusion than what other research has shown (see previous post: Jimmy Carter & Clean Air Act). According to that other research, it was the reduction of lead through federal regulation that had the strongest correlation to the decreasing crime rates.
This brings me to the second point. Maybe both are correct. It wouldn’t be surprising that there was more than one major contributing factor to this change. Either way, it supports my analysis from the previous post linked above. Both the FDA and abortion legalization are central victories of the progressive agenda. More importantly, those weren’t just victories for progressives. In terms of real world results, they were victories for all Americans.
So, why do conservatives remain critical of these types of policies that have proven to work and proven to benefit society?
Compare this to a favorite conservative policy such as the War on Drugs. Since the beginning of the War on Drugs, the rate of drug use has increased. The War on Drugs has been a part of the larger conservative policy of being tough on crime. The creating of the prison-industrial complex has led to (according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics ): “In 2008, over 7.3 million people were on probation, in jail or prison, or on parole at year-end — 3.2% of all U.S. adult residents or 1 in every 31 adults.” All of those people in prison (all those lives disrupted and all those families destroyed) wasn’t even a factor in the massive reduction of crime… and yet we waste money (and lives) on these ineffective and destructive policies that conservatives love so much.
This line of thought often brings me to a perspective stated by many others:
Maybe the reason Republicans hate government so much is because they’re so bad at it.
Marmalade 
“Maybe the reason Republicans hate government so much is because they’re so bad at it.”
That’s the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time!
I’m not sure who originally stated that criticism of Republicans. I don’t recall where I first heard it, but I recently came across it again in a book I’m reading: What’s the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank.
It’s a snarky criticism, but I honestly think there is some truth to it. I just find it bizarre beyond imagination that Republicans will campaign using the rhetoric that govt is the problem. Why would anyone want to put those in control of the govt who want argue that the govt is the problem? It makes absolutely no sense. If Republicans hate govt so much, why do they want to control it?
Just think about this. You have a job interview. You tell your prospective employer that the business they’re running is the problem, is inevitably a failure, and morally corrupt. How likely is it that you’ll get hired for the job? It would seem slim in the normal world… and yet Republican voters consistently hire politicians who make these kinds of statements.
It’s a crazy world, I tell ya.