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Letter to the Editor

A little context on Roe v. Wade

Ken Hilton
Posted 7/1/22

Jeffersonville

To the editor:

On Friday, June 24, in a vote of 5 to 4, the US Supreme Court struck down the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, ending Constitutional protection of abortion. All five …

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Letter to the Editor

A little context on Roe v. Wade

Posted

Jeffersonville

To the editor:

On Friday, June 24, in a vote of 5 to 4, the US Supreme Court struck down the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, ending Constitutional protection of abortion. All five justices voting to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision were appointed by Republican presidents.

A little “context” might help us all better understand this important decision.

1) Forty-nine years ago, in the case Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court voted 7-2 to uphold a woman’s right to abortion. Five of the seven justices who supported the decision – Harry Blackmun, Potter Stewart, Warren Burger, Lewis Powell, and William Brennan – were appointed by Republican presidents.

2) A Gallup Poll published in 1972, prior to the Roe case, showed that 68% of Republican voters agreed with the statement: “The decision to have an abortion should be made solely by a woman and her physician.” Fewer Democratic voters supported this statement.

3) In the past twenty years 30 nations, including most recently, Mexico, have expanded and liberalized abortion laws. Three nations – Nicaragua, Poland, and the United States – have limited them.

4) There is no doubt that affluent women, no matter where they live, will continue to easily obtain abortions if they choose to. Less affluent women, disproportionately women of color, will find it more difficult to get an abortion. Birth rates are higher for poor and less-affluent women than for more-wealthy women. It’s likely that the June 24, 2022 Supreme Court decision will result in an increase of births by poorer women.

Whether you’re in favor or opposed to the June 24 Supreme Court decision, it’s good to ponder some of these contextual facts.

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  • mrubin.rubin8

    In addition to the GOP-dominated Supreme Court's action to negate a constitutional right, it has also destroyed much of the Voter Rights Act, the separation of church and state, made it even easier to purchase and use deadly assault rifles, and now the near-destruction of the Environmental Protection Agency. This Court, much like the GOP that has appointed six of its members is fascist and corrupt, and hell-bent on destroying our democracy. If, regardless of party affiliation, you wish to preserve our freedoms, vote against ALL Republican public office nominees.

    Friday, July 1, 2022 Report this