This would be a good time to make scare tactics backfire on Republicans

As soon as Republicans began to receive blowback for overturning Roe v. Wade, I knew what was coming: “Be afraid, ladies, be very, very afraid. Particularly you suburban women. They are coming for you. You are not safe anymore. They are driving from the big city, straight into your subdivision.”

It is a tactic from the old Republican playbook: When your prospects are bad, scare people.

Republicans want women talking about anything but abortion. Republicans need women to be more afraid of becoming crime victims than being angry about our rights being stripped away.

To all the women out there, and to all you men who love us, I beg you to understand they have done this before. Lots of times.

They do it because it works.

One of the worst crimes against women, the one we’ve all had nightmares about, is rape. Ironically, the very people trying to scare the votes out of you are the same ones who would force you to carry out a pregnancy arising from such a nightmare.

They don’t care about you. They are rejoicing in the success of their 50-year effort to strip away your right to bodily autonomy and privacy. If given the chance, they will work diligently to take away more of your rights.

In “A Wrinkle in Time,” Madeleine L’Engle wrote: “Stay angry little Meg,” Mrs. Whatsit whispered. “You will need all your anger now.”

If you were angry when the Dobbs decision came down, channel that now. Your vote is powerful, and Republican candidates know it. Losing the women’s vote is their nightmare.

Jacqueline Eberle, Crystal Lake