A selective protection of rights

A selective protection of rights

The far right says that they are for more individual freedom and less regulation. Why, then, are they trying to take away a woman’s control over her own body? They are trying to regulate something that is a private matter between a woman and her physician. They terrorize health-care workers and kill doctors because life is so precious to them?

We are a nation founded on religious liberty. Some religions say that life begins at conception, but my religion does not. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that life begins at conception or that abortion is wrong. I am a practicing Christian, and I believe that it is wrong to tell me that in the name of someone else’s religion I may not choose my own reproductive services. There is a considerable amount of evil in the world. Why can’t these zealots focus on child prostitution or child hunger, or hundreds of other real problems in the world?

How can it be right to force a young girl pregnant from incest to bear a child? How can it be right to force a rape victim to bear a rapist’s child? It is not right to force a woman whose pregnancy is a risk to her life to bear that child. There are innumerable scenarios of pregnancies over which a woman might agonize over a decision to end a pregnancy.

Unwanted children, whose needs will likely not be met, will probably become social problems for the next generation, especially with a Republican-controlled government that forces women to have children and gives them no support to care for them.

The U.S. House of Representatives has cut all spending to Planned Parenthood. By cutting the reproductive planning services (and other health services) to poorer women, more unwanted children will be born. More abortions will be sought. The House also cut monies to help mothers and young children and Head Start. What are they thinking?

The Republicans were voted in on a platform of jobs, jobs, jobs. So far, they have done nothing but regulate away women’s rights and cut necessary social programs.

Becky Murray, Canfield

Work harder not to offend

I am extremely disappointed to have read the comment made by state Rep. Robert Hagan the Feb. 20 Vindicator.

Mr. Hagan seems to have a history of behavior not becoming to a gentleman and should truly be ashamed of himself. If he cannot see how addressing someone as “Buckwheat” is offensive to black Americans, he needs educated on black history. And since he has been in the hot seat more than once for what seems to me to be convulsive behavior, then maybe some behavioral therapy is in order.

I truly feel that most of the community no matter what color are offended by Mr. Hagan’s past behavior. If he is not a racist he is sounding like one and should consider the refection on our local representatives and our community before he opens his mouth.

Mr. Hagan says he has a history of supporting equals rights and civil rights ,however it is evident that he is ignorant to the history and culture of the minority community.

Brenda Mack, Canfield

Kasich gambles with our future

I am utterly disgusted with the political nonsense and selfish displays being portrayed by Governor Kasich.

As I was watching the local news on Thursday night, a quick comment from Kasich was shown: “I’m not much of a gambler, well, I suppose I am.” I suppose he is too. Gambling with the middle class and trying to pass a bill that will diminish the hard-working men and women, who make up the majority.

We all have rights, and fairness is offered by the mighty voice of the unions. I also saw a sign on the news that read: “Youngstown loves Kasich.” Please do not include all the hard-workers of Youngstown and surrounding area in that message. I did not vote for Kasich, and I absolutely did not agree for him to gamble and put the middle class workers into jeopardy for wanting to have a voice.

We are the middle-class and hard workers. Hear our cries for support and justice. Kill Senate Bill 5.

Alex Perry, Struthers

Paying for failure is only fair

I have the answer to State em- ployees’ wages.

If the state has 9.2 percent unemployment, then all state employees have to take a 9.2 percent cut in pay. This includes the governor, all state representatives, senators and congressmen. They have to take a 9.2 percent cut in pay because they run their elections on creating jobs. They failed to perform, so they are going to be paid on performance. If the economy, job availability, and unemployment numbers drop, they would make more money.

Nothing gives them more incentive than lack of money.

The next thing to do is eliminate the cap on Social Security. Everyone should pay their 4.2 percent Social Security tax on all the money they earn, not just up to the cap of $106,300.

Nolan Saukko, Leavittsburg

SB 5 distracts from real problems

I am writing to express my concern about Senate Bill 5, which would take away the bargaining rights of hard-working teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, and all public service workers who help make our community strong.

Ohio voters sent a clear message to lawmakers in November: focus on jobs. Unfortunately, SB 5 does nothing to address our job crisis. This bill is an unneeded distraction from the balanced approach we must have in order to deal with our economic crisis. Children need their teachers to focus on them and their classrooms. Allowing the union to represent teachers allows teachers to do what they do best: teach.

There are over 500,000 Ohioans currently looking for work across the state. These workers need the Ohio General Assembly to take the lead and bring workers, businesses leaders and community groups together to solve the huge problems facing Ohio. They need balanced solutions to not only create good jobs but raise the bar for all workers to revitalize our middle class.

This bill not only misses the mark on job creation but is bad for taxpayers. It would put essential community services at risk of reductions in quality and take away means for taxpayer accountability and transparency.

Taking away the voice on the job for educators, health care workers, bus drivers, sanitation workers and other hard-working public service workers — who live, work and invest their money and time in their communities — will not help create jobs, will hurt taxpayers and put our services at risk.

Jeff Pegg. Warren

The writer is president of the Warren Education Association.