Although I believe that each and every vote makes a mark upon our country and many times our World, the two Propositions striking at my core beliefs sat in other States. It is my belief that these two propositions would have had long reaching impacts for years to come. Let me begin with the proposition closest to my being and soul: “A life begins at the moment of fertilization,” Proposition 26 in the State of Mississippi was brought to you by our ever-increasing and frightening, right-wing extremists. The initiative lost by a 16 percent margin. It qualified for the ballot April 1, 2010 with 106,325 signatures out of the required 89,285. A lawsuit to block the initiative lost. By the way, Mississippi has one clinic, for the entire state that performs abortions. If this initiative had passed, the state constitutional changes would have provided for: “The term ?person” or ?people” to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof.” Financially backed with $48,637.83 to spread, “The work of God,” “Missionaries of the pre-born” traveled throughout the state promoting the ballot initiative. The kick-off for this campaign was a banquette Sept. 1 featuring Mike Huckabee as the speaker. Mississippi”s Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General were all supporters of this proposition.
Those opposed to this insanity included the Medical Association, Nurses Association, Healthy Families, Mississippi Coalition of People with Disabilities, Planned Parenthood and many others. The financial campaign funding was $247.84.
This is not the first state and first time since Roe vs. Wade that a government entity has voted on my reproductive rights and my right to my body. Comparable initiatives were attempted in Colorado in and Iowa in 2010. What I am seeing is the separation of church and state slipping away. This quite frankly, scares the hell out of me. OK, onto Ohio. The people struck down the Republican backed Union Stripping Bill. Another one brought to you by rich people telling middle-class people to blame poor people. Sorry but we aren”t going for it this time! To those of you who take the time to read this and did not vote in this last election, shame on you. Voting is not only your right but your obligation. I, for one, do not want some right wing nut case stripping away my rights, benefits, quality of life, etc. Together, we the people can, have and will make the difference in the future. This will only happen if we/you do not give up. Get out and vote!
Lenny Matthews
Lucerne
