Dear Editor:
It's time again for the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade and many people will again protest this decision. Frankly I don't know anyone who wants abortion, but I think sometimes people are guided by the hype surrounding this issue rather than facts.
First, there is no law that will stop abortions. These procedures happened before the Roe decision and, if it is undone as law, there will still be abortions. There have always been those with the right connections and the right amount of cash to get an abortion. This will surely continue. Legislators have put forth much of their efforts to shut down Planned Parenthood as this is where families with fewer resources seek abortion services, the low-hanging fruit. Those with influence have pushed a narrative that closing these centers will eliminate abortions, but folks schooled in this issue know that is not true.
Today's GOP uses this issue to rally their base when, in actuality, they have no real desire to stop abortions. This is demonstrated in the policies they put forth. From what I have seen many that call themselves pro life are really just pro birth. Isn't it time to be pro families instead? Babies grow up to be children who need food, shelter and support. If those in Washington truly wanted to reduce abortions they would enact legislation that supports struggling families. How about federally funded quality child care that goes around the clock so parents can work? How about an expanded SNAP program, construction of affordable housing, and raising the minimum wage? Putting such policies in place would do far more to reduce abortions than the intimidation and humiliation that is thrust upon women seeking abortions now.
I hear the naysayers responding that these ideas are too expensive or that parents are just not willing to work, the usual memes, that reasonable people know aren't true. Rather let's consider how our government wastes money in a myriad of ways. Why do we need to give subsidies in the millions to big oil companies, large food conglomerates, or private defense contractors, that post profits in the millions and billions of dollars? Eliminating just a portion of those funds could support the policies I've suggested.
We have the power make these changes. If our representatives won't do this, then vote them out! The clock is ticking