Reversal of Roe v. Wade and its impact on women rights

We have become comfortable with our freedoms and we think they are never going to be taken away, but as the saying goes, “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”

I’m saddened, but not surprised that the Supreme Court dropped the last shoe on Roe v. Wade, ending 50 years of federal abortion rights. In doing so, the Supreme Court has reversed its own 50-year precedent and no longer has any legitimacy. Did they lose it when they reversed voter’s rights? Understand, the Supreme has stomped on our Constitutional First Amendment Right to privacy to clearly take control of our bodies.

 It’s absurd that a women’s right to choose is taken away while 18-year-old men can still purchase assault rifles. Several states immediately passed laws restricting abortions with each being more restrictive than the last.  This has already created a proliferation of desperate women fleeing to states where the procedure is legal. More alarming is that several states have criminalized out-of-state travel to receive an abortion; even in cases involving the rape of little girls. These same states also seek to outlaw the morning-after pill and all forms of contraception.  

So this is our new America, turning women into criminals or having them seek unsafe, backdoor, black market abortions that could threaten their health or kill them. 

While I support abortion as a last resort, not a first option, I strongly believe the government has no place in our bedrooms and doctors’ office. The Supreme Court’s ruling means that Georgia’s anti-abortion “Heart Beat” bill can take effect. In fact, Attorney General Chris Carr has already filed notice with the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court ruling and allow the Georgia law to take effect immediately. The Heartbeat bill bans most abortions after about six weeks. While the current law allows abortions within 20 weeks of gestation.  Kemp brags that his bill is the most restrictive in America.       

While Justice Alito urges America not to worry about the status of other rights previously granted, we should indeed worry. This decision is merely the tip of the iceberg as Justice Clarence Thomas and the Republicans have made their intentions clear. Next on their agenda are; LGBTQ rights, same-sex marriage, sex between consenting adults, black voting rights, and interracial marriage. Individual freedoms are all on the line and could be ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and voted into law by Republican-controlled states.

What Should You Do? We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. People must vote…ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT!! We need to elect people and support policies that are in our best interests.

Final Thoughts

Don’t go to sleep. The idea that someone else is smarter and better than you are and that they are going to do the right thing is a myth. American democracy works best when the people involve themselves. Don’t just sit and complain. If you allow yourself to be led, you may not like the place you will be led to.

Attorney Terry Cummings is a retired Federal Justice Department Attorney. She is the Democratic Nominee for George House District 39 and is on the ballot in November.