the law.

Do you want the law or what the law produces?

In other words, would you rather have a law that bans abortions or, simply, less abortions? 
Would you rather have a law that bans guns or, simply less mass and accidental shootings? 

The U.S. economy has had job gains for the past 75 months. 
Violent crime in the U.S. in 2015 is half of what it was in 1991. 
Abortion in the U.S. is at the lowest rate since 1974. 
Welfare and food stamp recipients are at their lowest levels in years. 

I wonder how much more interesting and productive conversations would be if we talked less about laws and more about results, which sometimes correlate and sometimes don't.