EDITOR:
I’m a Christian and I will vote yes on Amendment 3.
The issues associated with reproductive healthcare are complicated, and any short statement does not do justice to the importance and weight of this issue. In thinking about the issue of reproductive healthcare and believing that God speaks to us through human and divine ways, I have spent time talking with health care providers, religious people, and women.
I am a person of faith, but my devotion to God is not something that I seek to force onto others. My wisdom and knowledge are finite, and I can’t fit God’s compassion, goodness, mercy and love for each person into a human box of my making. I’m not a doctor; I haven’t walked in another’s shoes; I’m not in a position to make medical decisions for another person. Each person and situation are unique and access to the best possible reproductive healthcare treatment should not be denied.
Safeguarding life happens in many ways: in relationship to access to health care, honoring and protecting the environment, improving gun safety laws so that guns are no longer the number one cause of death of children in this country. Safeguarding life is in the humane care for the stranger, and ensuring no one lacks the basic needs of food and housing.
As you go to the ballot box, I hope that you consider candidates who best display kindness, respect, honesty and integrity. The greatness of our country is that we are free to have differing political opinions. This does not have to divide us. I believe that our country’s beauty and strength are found in honoring other’s uniqueness, experiences, perspectives, knowledge, and wisdom.
--Pam May
Democratic candidate
6th Congressional District
