Reach out to companies about ‘appalling’ offer
To the editor:
Many people may not be aware of the outrageous offer being made by various large companies.
They are offering $4,000 to employees wanting an abortion that would require them traveling out of state. If you find this appalling as we do, search out the names of the companies and let them know how you feel.
Also, as our state legislators will be meeting soon, let them know your stand on the abortion law for Indiana. Rep. Chris May, 317-232-9981 and Sen. Eric Koch, 317-232-9400.
Brenda Miller, Columbus
Human Rights Commission not needed in county
To the editor:
In response to the Brown County Democrat’s article on the front page of the Wednesday, June 22 edition I would like to give a few observations.
I am not a resident of Nashville, but I do live in Brown County and since they are going to have four members from the Brown County community at-large on the proposed Human Rights Commission I will offer my opinion.
We don’t need a Human Rights Commission in Brown County. I read their weak arguments in the paper a few months ago. The article showed me that it was a group of the unqualified trying to do the unnecessary. Brown County is not a racist community. You have to go to Indianapolis to find that. If we were, what business is it to this group trying to get government recognition anyway?
Once this group gets fully organized and recognized by the local government, the next thing they will want is taxpayer money from the local government to fund their projects. That’s the way these kinds of groups operate. If they want to promote their ideas, let them use their own money and not ours.
These people need to just sit down, relax and enjoy Brown County. It doesn’t need fixing except for some of the roads. Don’t be so unhappy because, perhaps, your political party cannot be elected in Brown County anymore. Enough said.
James Brown, Morgantown
Will lawmakers listen when special session begins?
To the editor:
Men, women and children crowded the sidewalks outside of the Indiana Statehouse on July 6. People from all over Indiana came to Indianapolis to exercise their First Amendment rights, desperately hoping to be heard. They were willing to suffer the heat and humidity, but not willing to suffer through an abortion ban.
On June 24, the Supreme Court voted to reverse Roe vs. Wade. This unprecedented Supreme Court decision means that the constitutional right to abortion no longer exists. Now access to safe abortion is a state decision.
Everyone at the Statehouse on July 6 had a different story for why they were there. But they were united by the belief that government should not have control over an individual’s autonomy. Government should not be able to force an unwilling person to undergo a medical procedure, including childbearing – a choice a woman was able to make for her own body until just a few weeks ago.
Do Indiana lawmakers understand what abortion means to women? Kierra Knight, 22, of Indianapolis, says no. “I feel like they are blinded by their personal beliefs and morals,” Knight told the Indianapolis Star. Some might prefer lawmakers to be guided by constitutional values and their responsibility to represent the people, half of whom are women. But it’s not much of a surprise that women, like Knight, might not feel understood by their government. They are brutally underrepresented in Indiana.
The Indiana State Assembly consists of 100 representatives and 50 senators, all of whom represent different districts throughout the state. The General Assembly is responsible for making and changing laws on behalf of their constituents, like Kierra Knight. Of the 150 total elected officials in the state legislature, 115 are men and just 35 are women. Men can absolutely support women’s rights, it’s amazing when they do. But will a cisgender man ever really understand what its like to be a woman? Let’s just hope that 115 of them at least try starting July 25.
The Indiana State Assembly is scheduled to begin their special session on July 25. Community advocates are planning to charter a bus from Brown County to Indianapolis and back for the day, all peaceful protesters welcome.
Will lawmakers listen to their constituents? What would happen if they don’t? What happens when the people are ignored by their government? What has historically happened when inalienable rights of the people have been oppressed by a government?
The Sons of Liberty hosted our county’s most famous tea party when their rights were violated by the Tea Act in 1773. And, of course, the forbearers of our country eventually declared independence from a tyrannical government in 1776.
“Silence is violence!” was one of the chants echoing throughout the streets on July 6. These activists will be anything but silent until their rights are securely protected.
Anna Hofstetter, Nashville
