To the Republicans, as reflected in their legislation initiatives and their party platform, corporations have achieved “personhood,” as have the few cells that comprise a fertilized egg.

While they offer protections to the corporations and the egg, however, they offer no such protections to women and actual children.

Republicans don’t tell us that in Maine and in 30 other states, even convicted rapists have parental rights that would tie their victim to them for 18 years.

Nor do Republicans have any words about financial support and health care for the woman or the child.

The Republican Party platform also includes a “salute” to states that have pushed “informed consent laws,” such as those that force a woman seeking an abortion to first undergo an invasive and medically unnecessary ultrasound.

They have no qualms about invading our bodies and legislating our morality.

Happily, President Barack Obama, the father of two young girls, believes that women should have access to contraception, health care and the right to make their own life decisions.

Thomas Walling

Bowdoinham