Arkansas lawmakers should keep religion to themselves

I read in the Feb. 14 newspaper that the Arkansas House of Representatives has voted to make abortion clinics subject to immediate shutdown for health and safety violations. Since they are apparently concerned for the health of Arkansans, I assume this regulation will be extended to all health clinics, doctors’ offices and hospitals.

I am constantly amazed that Arkansas legislators spend their time and energy, as well as our tax dollars (because this regulation is clearly discriminatory and will be litigated, along with their other abortion restrictions) attempting to enforce their personal restrictive ethical and moral values. The United States Constitution clearly provides a separation of church and state, and well as a freedom of religion. Do these legislators need a course on civics?

Arkansas is a state of major beauty and natural resources, yet ranks 49th in most economic categories. There are major issues that need to be addressed, yet these legislators chose to focus on narrow issues based on their personal religious values. The Republican Party advocates for limited government, yet they want to intrude on personal lives and personal decisions. Such hypocrisy. These legislators were elected to work for the betterment of Arkansans, not to advocate for religious values. Studies show the Protestant religion is dying. Perhaps the intolerance and bigotry demonstrated by “persons of faith” tells the underlying reason.

I will give due credit to legislators who extended the Affordable Care Act to Arkansans. The most effective way to reduce abortions is to make contraception available and affordable to all women.

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