ABORTION LAWS: Driving women to the polls

Legislators are learning that most women in this country oppose the extremist anti-abortion laws that have been pushed through and are registering to vote in droves. More Idaho women are registering, too. They are standing up for their freedom to make decisions about their own health, without having to consult a lawyer.

Each and every pregnancy is unique. Issues of health during pregnancy should be between the patient and her doctor, not a patient, doctor and a lawyer. Until Congress members have a medical degree, they should not weigh in on a woman’s placental abruption, or any other medical condition she has.

When Congress members decide that a female child should be forced to have a baby, her freedom was stolen twice, once by the man who impregnated her and again by the politicians who decided she must carry a baby and give birth, even if this threatens her life. Women do not want any group to take health care decisions from them, including abortion. In the United States of America women should have these freedoms protected.

Lawmakers hoped their absolute pro-life stance would win votes. Legislators now know their position could cost them the election. Lawmakers need to change these laws. The Idaho house pushed a trigger law through so fast, most of us didn’t know it was up for a vote. Let’s vote in November to let the legislators know that women, as United States citizens, are entitled to freedom, and we vote, too.

BARBARA OSTIPWKO

Coeur d’Alene