The headline of this entry is the headline in the lead editorial in today’s Kansas City Star. The editorial holds nothing back.
[The decision] instantly renders women second-class American citizens, with fewer rights than men. It will not end abortions, just safe access to the procedure in some states.
That’s sinister enough. But there’s more: in the opinion, Justice Samuel Alito says Roe v. Wade was “egregiously wrong” because it recognized a right not in the Constitution, or part of the country’s “deeply rooted” history.
That phrase should horrify everyone. It invites states to revoke laws allowing interracial marriage, or gay relationships, or birth control, or any of a number of individual liberties long guaranteed by our founding documents but now subject toer
That is very strong language indeed.
The end gets to importance of Kansas in the politics of outlawing access to safe abortions.
[Kansas]’s Supreme Court has said access to abortion is a right guaranteed by the state Constitution. In August, voters will be asked to overturn that decision.
The answer must be a resounding no. Every woman who believes in autonomy — for herself, her daughters and granddaughters, her neighbors and friends — must turn out, and cast a no vote on the amendment. Men, too.
Kansans can send a clear message to the nation: Here, rights matter. We vote no.
It’s tragic that we must vote to protect individual freedom.
I live in Kansas City, Missouri less than a mile from Kansas. Right now, there are signs urging people to vote yes on this amendment. I expect to see signs urging rejection of banning abortions.
If red Kansas can send a resounding NO to this amendment, the message for November will be clear.