I graduated high school in 1973, the year that Roe v. Wade was codified into law. Hence, I and young women for the past 50 years have grown up with access to reproductive care.
The concept of bodily autonomy was a given until a 2022 Supreme Court ruling struck down Roe v. Wade. What followed is a rush of Republican-dominated state legislatures to strip women of the right of self-determination regarding reproduction.
Trump promised that a “litmus test” for his Supreme Court nominees would be their willingness to overturn Roe v. Wade. And here we are. In some states, abortion is now a crime punishable by imprisonment. Supreme Court Justice Thomas has suggested a possible “review” of other rights belonging to women, including the use of contraception.
I take visceral offense at the suggestion of someone “reviewing” my right to decide what is best for my body. A great number of women are already in the “reviewed and cancelled” group, and that makes me angry and breaks my heart.
I don’t know if a fetus has rights when it is still a tiny clump of cells and blood. If Christians believe we will be judged by God for our actions, then let it be. Stop judging women for their difficult, personal decisions.
Paul LePage has stated that he doesn’t have the political support to restrict abortion access in Maine. What if he did have the votes?
People shouldn’t say it can’t happen here. Register to vote. Come on, women, we got this.
Rebecca Myers, Turner
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