Letters: Vote to voice your views on abortion; Sims will stand up for women’s rights

Vote to voice your views on abortion

All Pennsylvania residents deserve the right to have the family they want. We can’t know another person’s life well enough to make the decision for them about whether or not to have a child. We can’t know their economic, medical or social support situations. The right to privately make that decision is currently the law in Pennsylvania. But Republican lawmakers and all Republican gubernatorial candidates support eliminating or limiting reproductive freedom in our state with, among other proposals, a Texas-style 6-week ban on abortions, and a constitutional amendment banning the procedure.

Democratic candidates and lawmakers support bills that keep the doctor/patient relationship private, and allow a person the right to decide what happens inside their body. The recent Supreme Court leak indicates that federal protection for Pennsylvania residents’ reproductive freedom could be gone.

Whatever you believe in this debate, it is very important that you vote in the May 17 primary election to ensure the candidates who support your opinion will be on the ballot in November for you to vote in the general election. Remember to vote!

Sims will stand up for women’s rights

The experts are telling us, if the Supreme Court goes ahead and overturns Roe v. Wade, that won’t be the end of it. Many of the other rights we take for granted are based on the right to privacy that the Court is about to decide doesn’t exist.

Having protests, signing petitions, and writing letters like this one feels good, but will it change anything? What we really need to do is elect officials who will fight back.

Democrats have the chance to elect Brian Sims to Lt. Governor. Brian is a civil rights lawyer specializing in women’s rights. He’s a fighter who stands up to Republicans. I’ve met him a few times. He’s compassionate and he really cares.

I’m voting for Brian because I know he will stand up for me. Will you join me?

Comedy in politics

Hiring a comedy writer isn’t really necessary. All you need is the CDT and a little patience.

In Thursday morning’s printed edition, Jake Corman gets a glowing endorsement for governor from Rick Santorum. “He never backs down from a fight.”

In Thursday’s mid-day email, Jake Corman for the second time quits the campaign for governor.

Isn’t it time you stop paying attention to Santorum? To Corman? To any of the Republicans?

Save the nation, stop the madness. Vote for the Democrat.

Much at stake in Pennsylvania’s election

The pursuit of democracy and equal rights in America has always faced challenges. From its founding, there have been systemic and structural failings that have impacted generations of Americans. And while we have hoped for progress, we now see regressive and harmful legislation being put in place all across the country.

With the rise in violent white supremacy, voting restrictions aimed at marginalized communities, and laws directly targeting transgender children and their families, we are quickly going backward rather than forward. And now, the Supreme Court appears poised to take a sledgehammer to precedent and personal freedom, denying women the right to make decisions about their own bodies. That alone is devastating. But make no mistake, overturning Roe v. Wade blasts open the door for further legal attacks on other rights and liberties.

Without federal protections, state legislatures play a crucial role in guaranteeing equal rights for those within their borders. And with Pennsylvania’s General Assembly held by the GOP, we have already seen discriminatory legislation proposed that would strip away the rights of millions of Pennsylvanians. That is unacceptable.

I feel the disillusionment and frustration that so many of you do. But I am inspired when I see our community rallying for equality. That is why I will be voting on Tuesday May 17 to ensure that those who will champion human rights make it onto the ballot for the general election in November.

Your voice is in your vote. I hope to hear yours.