Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Abortion Rights Written into State Constitution?
The Associated Press reported the following news on February 14th:
“Leading Maryland House members said Monday that they will support a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights in the state, as well as other measures to broaden access, because of the possibility a conservative U.S. Supreme Court could overturn or weaken federal abortion-rights protections.
“If approved by the Maryland General Assembly, the constitutional amendment will go on the ballot for voters to decide in November…
“House Speaker Adrienne Jones, who introduced the proposal, said the Supreme Court “has allowed some of the most restricting abortion legislation we’ve seen in a generation,” endangering critical access to reproductive health care.
At least 20 states, mostly across the South and Midwest, already have laws that would severely restrict or ban abortion if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade and leaves the issue up to the states. But more than a dozen states, plus the District of Columbia, have statutory protections in place for abortion rights, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights think tank…
“Maryland passed legislation in 1991 to protect a woman’s right to abortion if the Supreme Court should ever restrict abortions. It was petitioned to the ballot, and voters approved it in 1992 with 62% of the vote…
“Del. Jason Buckel, a western Maryland Republican who is the House minority leader, said he did not see a need to create a constitutional amendment to reflect what’s already state law, especially since there have not been Supreme Court rulings that would alter Maryland’s existing laws. ‘I’m a little concerned that it’s more politics and posturing,’ said Buckel, of Allegany County.”
What do you think? Does Maryland need to write abortion rights into the State Constitution?
Here’s what you said:
Fully support this measure!
Jean C Tullier, Annapolis
I would support a state constitutional amendment to keep our rights as they are.
Sheri Roe, Crownsville
Maryland already has passed legislation allowing for a woman's right to have an abortion. Killing a life should not be in the Constitution. If we as a society disregard a heartbeat, then we have seen how that permeates to disregard of human life outside of the womb. How callous can we be?
Debbie Yatsuk, Annapolis
In the more than 30 years since Maryland legislated abortion to be a right, there have been significant advances in medicine, science and technology which allow us to know more about how a human develops. Gone are the days of blind ignorance based on if you can't see it, it must not be real.
We KNOW now that there is life, with a beating heart. If it is not stopped, if it is not KILLED, it develops into a complete human being. You have to actively take steps to end that life. Abortion is the active ending of the life of another human being.
Abortion must not be used as birth control. Legislate free birth control if you choose but there has to be a point where the line is drawn. Whose to say murdering an obnoxious toddler isn't justified? Or the child you can't afford but gave birth to? At what point do we stop considering ending a life the solution?
We don't have the legal authority to legislate the taking of an innocent, vulnerable life.
Jeff Washington, Severna Park
NO ONE should be allowed to tell anyone what they can and can't do with their body. That goes for the government as well. What if the woman was raped etc... How about the government worry about more important things going on in our country. For starters, HIGH gas prices. STOP buying gas outside of the U.S. and making other countries rich, and use our reserves, which I am pretty sure there is more then enough that we should not run out. Gas would or should be below 2 Dollars a gallon or possibly less. They need to stop sticking their noses into every little thing.
Robert Anderson, Denton
Yes It should be done. We need all the protection we can get to protect women's rights.
Ed Peffly, Stevensville
I support A Jones bill to include abortion rights as part of the MD Constitution
Barbara Marder, Arnold
Given that MD already has a law in place that makes abortion legal up to the point of viability, and given that a Supreme Court ruling against federalized rights to abortion would simply send the decision down to each state, I see no need to amend our state constitution. Given that murder is a heinous crime, given that a crucial role of government is to protect life, and given that the developing life in the womb is genetically distinct from the mother and therefore a separate life, our laws should seek the protection of life in the womb. A constitutional right to abortion could (and probably would) expand the right to abortion up until the time of birth. I hope that is not what the majority of Marylanders would want.
J D, Davidsonville
Abortion rights should not be written into our State Constitution. MD should not be proud of its liberal stance & reputation as a state that allows abortion at all stages of pregnancy. The moral decline of our nation increased exponentially when we legislated the legal murdering of our unborn children. MD should pay attention to the laws being changed to protect not only the innocent unborn, but the hearts & souls of mothers & fathers in crisis. There is a better way.
Nancy Singleton, Annapolis
No, the state should not allow any additional abortion legislation at this time.
Camille Cimino, Annapolis
Absolutely abortion rights should be written into our state constitution. Women are loosing rights all across the country, even voting rights as well. We must protect our women at all costs. Don't forget if it had not been for your mother you would not be here. Respect her dedication to you and your family.
Diane Knaus, Glen Burnie
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