Readers share opinions on Roe v. Wade decision

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, stating there is no constitutional right to abortion, is yet another divisive issue for the country. With no exceptions, the court turned legal decisions back to the hands of individual state legislatures. Many national polls show the majority of people still believe women should constitutionally have say over their own bodies. Do you believe the Supreme Court made the right decision? 

 

• By leaving this decision to the states, wealthier people will continue to have access to abortions because they have resources to travel, while people in lower socioeconomic populations will be forced to give birth. In a state like South Carolina that already is top 10 for maternal mortality, domestic violence and gun deaths and bottom 10 for education, this means more babies will be born into poverty in families that do not have the resources to care for them. And before people call for adoption, keep in mind there are thousands of kids already in foster care in an overloaded system. 

 

• I estimate that most abortions are for convenience, not rape, incest or health concerns. Therefore, the debate should not start with those exceptions as the pro-choicers seem to always do. Instead they should have realized that 90% of abortions are performed before 15 weeks, so they should accept that as a “viability” cutoff and should not have contested viability in Dobbs. The pro-lifers need to realize that the Supreme Court’s recent ruling opens the door for states to allow barbaric abortion practices even deeper into pregnancy. There are no winners in this issue, we all lose, especially the unborn.

 

• The Supreme Court doesn’t exist to rule in accord with what a majority wishes. It made the correct decision in declaring that Roe and Casey were never constitutionally grounded. 

 

• This court has let religion dictate its policies despite this country being founded on the principle of separation of church and state. This decision will set rights in this country back half a century, and weakens our position as a global leader. The ruling also set a dangerous precedent for future rulings on the right to privacy. It’s a tragedy.

 

• I am pro-life, however I disagree with the recent Supreme Court’s ruling in Donna. Why should abortion be treated differently in different states? More precisely, why should a woman from Colorado be treated differently than a woman from South Carolina? The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs is wrong because it allows the same action to be treated differently based purely on geography. There are no distinct geographical differences in American women. There are, however, distinct geographical differences between South Carolina (primarily producing agriculture) and Colorado (primarily producing mined products), that could logically result in different economic or trade laws. Individual states are allowed to have different laws that apply to their differences, but in the case of abortion, every state is identical and, therefore, should be governed identically. This means the precedents set by Roe and Casey should have been upheld for consistency and stability, given the absence of legislation from the U.S. Congress. 

Medical decisions should not be decided by the government or politicians. Regardless of abortion or any other medical procedures, politicians nor government has no say over any human protected under the constitution, which governs the right to vote, the right to arms, the right to freedom of speech, the freedom from religious persecution. It’s a medical procedure, nothing more. 

 

• The Court righted a 49-year wrong. The Constitution is totally silent on the matter of abortion and yet the Court found it to be a constitutionally protected right at that time. Abortion was not then and is not today an enumerated right. The Constitution clearly states that anything that is not enumerated as a right is therefore a matter for the individual states to address and today’s Court sent the matter back to the states for legislation that will settle the question of abortion within each state. Implicit in this is the fact that some states will allow it while others will not. It was always a question for the states to settle but the Court of half a century ago overreached and presumed to settle the matter without any constitutional authority to do so. The people of America have been misled until now. We owe the Court a prayer and even a note of thanks for returning this question to the states for action.

 

• Yes, unfortunately, the U.S. Constitution is silent on when life begins and abortion. (The U.S. Supreme Court) followed the rule of law. 

 

• It is extremely unfortunate that the justices of the Supreme Court decided to blatantly go against the will of the American people. It is also very concerning that newly appointed justices appeared to lie about their intentions to overturn Roe at their confirmation hearings. They have set an unacceptable and dangerous precedent. 

 

• Women should have a say up until a certain point. I do not support late-term abortions whatsoever. I feel that they should be legal up until 12-15 weeks. Definitely should be legal in cases of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. If states don’t like their laws then

vote the people out of office. I don’t agree with the SC heartbeat law. It’s too early. Sometimes you don’t even know if you’re pregnant by then.

 

• Where in the constitution does it say that you have a right to abortion? Why is this an issue for a small town paper? Constitutional say over your own body is misrepresenting the issue. Ask correctly or don’t ask at all. Could your question be anymore biased?

 

• The Court has become political and I no longer revere it as I once did.

 

• Our country needs to figure out how to better support families and women so that abortion isn’t even a consideration. I confess I do not understand the law, the Constitution, and precedence enough to argue the details of the Supreme Court’s decision. I am happy that states who recognize the value of human life at all stages of development can restrict and put an end to elective and induced abortions. 

 

• We have two adopted children and are grateful everyday they were not aborted. 

• We are spiraling downward so quickly. Now ranked 15th in freedom, this country is a shell of itself.

 

• Roe was overturned on procedure as the Supreme Court cannot make laws. The news media has confused this issue for all women. Now abortion can be voted on by all women, in every state. If it should have been a law, why didn’t congress codify Roe, they had 50 years. 

 

• The ruling stinks, the Supreme Court is voting Republican v Democrat, not what will be best for the whole of Americans. Term limits are a must.

 

• Dobbs is not about whether or not abortion should be legal. It is about whether the constitution entrusts that decision to unelected judges with life terms or to the people acting through their elected representatives. We are supposed to be a republic, and the preservation of government by the people is far more important than the question of abortion. The Bill of Rights lists certain enumerated rights essential to a democracy that no legislature can override. Abortion is not one of them and never has been, Roe v. Wade to the contrary notwithstanding.  

 

• The Supreme Court erred in using …12th & 17th century old English laws where women were seen as chattel, even witches without equal rights. The Supreme Court’s job is to interpret the law not to legislate. Theology should not be the basis for the Law of the Nation and science should be the foundation. But the Bible doesn’t mention abortions, Jewish law provides clarity that abortions are acceptable health care to save a woman’s life as does Muslim law. Broad banning of abortions does not account for the necessary health care many women require to deliver a miscarriage, stillborn, or unviable ectopic pregnancy, or treating a woman with cancer. Women have already been denied their life saving medications if the medicine is seen as an abortive medicine even if the women are not pregnant. This is a personal and health-based decision and there really is no room in the uterus for the government. The heartbeat law is already flawed through science as the cells are not a heart, there is no pump or valves at 6 weeks but rather a blastoma clump of cells carrying electric impulses, not viable living outside the womb.

 

• Abortion should be outlawed not only by the Supreme Court federally but by states as well. Abortion is the killing of an innocent party. 

 

• It’s not only about privacy, it’s about equal rights for both sexes. This is not a state issue. Federal law provides equal rights for all. 

 

• I’m a Christian and follow the Bible and believe life begins when the sperm fertilizes the egg life has begun.

 

• The U.S. already has the highest maternal death rate of any developed country & it’s about to get worse! If this was about caring for the life of unborn babies then maternal health care costs would be reduced/subsidized & made accessible to all. This reversal is a huge step back not forward.

 

• I marched in the ’70s for a woman’s right to choose. I can’t believe I have to do it again, but as long as there is breath in my body I will continue to fight for women’s rights. 

 

• Our lives began at conception. No other definition withstands scrutiny.

 

• The lack of requesting input from OB-GYNs is appalling. It seems lawmakers and elected officials are practicing medicine now. 

 

• I disagree with the Supreme Court ruling here, but now we need to focus on making sure a woman still has the right to choose in SC. That means putting pressure on our elected officials and voting the pro-lifers out of office. 

 

• The Constitution was drafted when women had no rights. To say it wasn’t part of the original document is archaic. There are no additional plans to support children, mothers and fathers who are forced to bring children into this world. 

 

• Women’s rights took a huge hit. I don’t like the idea of abortions in theory, but in reality, the safest and best decision for women should be left to each women and her doctor. Keep the government out of my medical decisions. 

 

• It’s a barbaric step back. The Supreme Court now regulates the uterus of women. How much more invasive can they get? It makes sure unplanned children get born while protecting guns, including AR15s used to kill children in schools and 4th of July parades. An ignoble Supreme Court washed its hands like Pontius Pilate did with Jesus by passing the issue on to the States. Let a 10-year-old who was raped go through with a pregnancy and protect the right to use guns. It’s vile and disgusting. 

 

• Women should be able to make their own decisions about their body and life, and this should apply for anywhere in America. This decision will make life even harder for women, especially if they are from low socioeconomic status. 

 

• Right on target with the constitution. Should have been overturned long ago but thankful it’s been done now. 

 

• This is all about power and control. How can the same people who scream about their personal freedom with masks and then take away the freedom for half of Americans to make their own medical decisions? And who will be paying for these unwanted children? Especially the offspring of anygy, violent men who rape? Do we need more of that? The same people who refuse to protect our children from the mass murders that happen every 16 hours in this country, can’t call themselves “pro life”. They are pro control. Shameful time for our country. 

 

• Abortion is a healthcare decision. It’s not a decision any woman wants to make, but it should be an option. We don’t know what each individual’s circumstances are and we should not judge their choice.

 

• Women should not have the right to kill their innocent preborn babies if they chose to. 

 

• The Supreme Court based their decision on Christian and Evangelical beliefs. Not everyone shares those beliefs. The Court has infringed on the principle of freedom of religion or freedom from religion. The United States is not a theocracy. This puts women’s lives in danger and will not stop abortions. 

 

• The Supreme Court ruled on what was intended and stated specifically in the constitution. Since no mention of abortion is in the constitution the court correctly ruled that there is not a national right to an abortion. The decision is then rightfully returned to the states and to the people based on the interpretation of the 10th amendment. This amendment states that if it is not exclusively named in the constitution then it is up to the states to decide the issue. 

 

• Their stance on abortion, guns, and climate is political and not based on data, science, or common sense. It does not seem to have the best interest of our country or our people in mind. 

 

• Absolutely the right decision based on the law - it doesn’t outlaw or make abortion legal, regardless of what politicians may say - it’s a decision reserved for the states under our Constitution.

 

• There are women who are going to suffer or die due to this decision. Lawmakers have little insight regarding the complex medical and social issues that can complicate pregnancy, and they have no business interfering with a woman’s dialogue with her doctor and her family.

 

• I am at a loss to try to explain to my daughter that I have had more liberty than she now has. I am irate to think that the agonizing choice so many people have had to make is no longer a choice. Women will be captive to unwanted or unviable pregnancy while men will continue to bear absolutely zero consequences for their role in the creation of the unborn. Victims of rape and incest with no choice but to continue to be victimized. Women with personal health considerations, risks, unfortunate health scenarios without a medical or personal decision to make-subject to a political/governmental directive to follow. I am saddened beyond words. 

 

• The court is making decisions that are not in line with the majority of people. Abortion, gun rights, citizens united, voting rights protection, climate change are all issues supported by more than 50% of the population and not supported by the Supreme Court. 

 

• Disheartened is an understatement. The current court is rogue. Hopefully, the recent rulings energize all people to vote and hold elected officials accountable for action as well as inaction. Only when the majority of Americans exercise their right to vote will we have governance & laws reflective of the people. 

 

• This is a rogue court with an authoritarian agenda. Their recent decisions have been disastrous for women and the environment. We must expand the number of justices on the court now in order to balance their power. 

 

• They’re coming for your rights - gay marriage, contraception to start. America is definitely not headed in the right direction with this SCOTUS.

 

• Pregnancy is an exquisitely personal situation. There are many complications that can come into play. No one has the right to insert themselves into that decision process. And let’s be honest, once those unwanted babies are born, the right to lifer people do not want to provide any care or services to them or the mother.

 

• Nowhere in the Constitution was abortion ever a federal right. This is an issue that should always have been left to states. This is not a BAN on abortion.