Toward the end of former Gov. Paul LePage’s statement on the Roe v. Wade decision (“Maine leaders express range of opinions on ruling,” June 25), he claims to have a proven record of supporting and helping the most vulnerable. So is this why he repeatedly refused to expand Medicaid (MaineCare) despite the will of a majority of voters? It seems as though if conservatives truly cared about supporting, helping, and protecting the most vulnerable, their policies on economics and guns would look quite different.

Equally frustrating, LePage includes the statement that “late term abortions are extremely disturbing to most Maine people.”  Of course they are; they would be to anyone with a soul. However, despite the constantly false and misleading rhetoric from the right as they harp on late-term abortions, they are also vanishingly rare, performed under only the most dire of medical emergencies. And yes, “extremely disturbing” to the poor woman who must face such a truly horrible outcome to her pregnancy.

For the government, the courts, religion, or anyone to insert himself into such an overwhelmingly personal and heartbreaking situation is outrageous. But it should be obvious that none of the bans and restrictions around the country are about protecting the unborn, it’s all about controlling and punishing women. The fact that the human rights of anyone who isn’t a straight, white Christian male are continually up for debate is beyond infuriating. But who knows guys, if this country goes into full authoritarianism, maybe they’ll eventually start coming after some of your rights too (and no, your gun rights are not under attack and you all know it).

Please, everyone, think about these things, and remember them when you vote in November.

 

Ginny Stanhope

Hallowell