Understanding how our Constitution works

To The Eagle:

I was reading a recent letter to the editor and the writer said if you can write your name in the snow, "you have no business dictating policy in regard to reproductive issues." However the Supreme Court has never had a majority of justices that can't write their names in the snow, but they did make a landmark decision 50 years ago that the writer does agrees with. I find that interesting.

However, I do agree we don’t need nine people deciding every tough decision for us. Their job is to make sure our laws follow our Constitution, and the rest is left to the states. So yes, I agree with the writer that the Roe vs. Wade decision should be with the people to decide by voting in their states, not just nine justices.

The State of Washington allows abortions; the governor has said it will continue. If you don’t like our laws, either get a group and vote to change them or vote with your feet and move. Remember some states approve of state income tax, legalized marijuana, abortions, etc., and others don't. That's called a republic designed by our founding fathers.

Women want choices and they have them: It starts in the bedroom with birth control, or abstinence. They also can choose adoption, abortion--in most states, likely--and parenthood. With all of the modern contraception choices and education, unwanted pregnancies have dropped significantly since 1980. I think they will continue to drop.

I agree with Bill Clinton that abortion should be safe, legal and rare, and limited to 12 weeks with exceptions for the mother’s health.

I think it was mostly men that kept changing laws to advance women’s rights, along with minorities’ rights, etc. So to say men have no say in women's rights is not understanding our Constitution and how governing by the people works.

Richard Erickson

Cathlamet