We know political discourse is mostly rhetoric, not debate. Abortion is the only major issue in which the words used to identify your point of view are meaningless rhetorical euphemisms.
We know the meanings of "pro-universal-health-care" and "anti-gay-marriage," but what is "pro-life"? Who could be against life? Who could be against choice?
For pro-life, the problem is many of those identifying themselves as such (Republicans) are not even close to consistent in supporting life. Those claiming to value life are OK with bloody wars and executions. Pro-life is acceptable when it applies to the few people who consistently oppose abortion, the death penalty and war. However, if you oppose abortion but are OK with capital punishment and non-defensive wars, you are not pro-life.
As for pro-choice, it's not so much inherent hypocrisy, but it's such an astoundingly broad, meaningless euphemism. Vague euphemisms indicate that you are on some level ashamed of your beliefs. It smacks of the antebellum South's "peculiar institution." If you think abortion is OK, which is a perfectly reasonable position, then don't be afraid to say it.
The abortion debate will never turn into real dialogue with both sides recognizing each other's good points, rather than shouting at each other's brick walls, until we start by using direct and honest language.
