The Open Forum Does abortion initiative prevent “real freedom of choice?”
Re: “Put abortion rights in the Colorado Constitution,” Jan. 28 commentary
Wait. Stop. Don’t sign ballot Initiative 89 to “Put abortion rights in the Colorado Constitution.” This is not a ballot initiative about something inanimate, such as gas exploration or gaming. It’s not a ballot initiative that warrants a casual signature as you walk out of your local grocery store.
It is imperative that registered voters give this measure a great deal of scrutiny. The abortion issue is tearing this country apart. It is an emotional issue with heart- wrenching anecdotal stories on both sides. There are well- intended people on both sides of the debate. Please listen to both sides, do your research, and take time to learn the truth for yourself.
Our state has among the most liberal abortion laws in the country.
In the process of passing these laws, science has been ignored or distorted, words or their meanings have been conveniently twisted, and the concept of health care has been corrupted.
Yes, Prop 115 was defeated. However, 41% of Coloradans voted in that election in support of restricting abortion at 22 weeks. Was it the intention of the majority of voters to support abortion at all costs, for any reason, without any
barriers? Stop and consider the gravity. Do not give our government an absolute green light to promote just one “choice,” preventing real freedom of choice.
— Wendy Smith, Colorado Springs
If Initiative 89 passes, Colorado will have the most extreme abortion law in the U. S., becoming the premier abortion destination.
It would be harder for Coloradans to enact commonsense regulations. It would force taxpayers and the government to provide health insurance to state employees and through Medicaid that covers abortion procedures, even as many Coloradans cannot afford or pay excessive out- ofpocket costs. Make no mistake: Initiative 89 protects the abortion industry, not women.
The truth is, Colorado’s current law:
1. Legislatively created a right to abortion
2. Allows for abortion to save a woman’s life ( as does every state), in cases of rape and incest, and for any reason, until birth, despite some studies demonstrating the preborn baby can feel pain as early as 12 weeks.
3. Includes no new safety regulations, abortion provider credentialing, complication monitoring, or accurate data reporting but does provide special protections for abortion providers from out- of- state criminal prosecution and civil suits.
4. Excludes parental notification
for minors. Imagine your 13- year- old daughter has an abortion, and you can’t help because you don’t know.
5. Strips all preborn babies of their human rights.
In the U. S., more than a third of counties have no maternity care, rural labor, and delivery closures are creating a maternity crisis, workplace and education accommodations lag behind other developed countries, and maternal mortality continues to rise, despite, or perhaps because of, liberal abortion access. Initiative 89 does nothing to combat this maternity crisis but would enshrine into our Constitution an extreme abortion law and barriers to holding the abortion industry accountable for harm to women.
— Catherine J. Wheeler, Teller County
I totally disagree with Karen Middleton. The government should never have gotten involved in the abortion issue, starting with
Roe v. Wade. Like so many things, when the government gets involved, it gets worse.
Look at the mess we have now with states competing like they know what’s best to solve the problem. Abortion is a very personal matter. The decision to have an abortion should be up to the woman ( husband if there is one), her doctor, and her god.
— Marie Mullen, Highlands Ranch