LETTER | Amendment G's reality tragic
South Dakotans will be voting on a critically important ballot issue, “Amendment G,” in the upcoming November election.
If passed, Amendment G would enshrine in our Constitution the right to end the lives of unborn babies through induced abortion procedures, with “no prohibitions” through the first 13 weeks of their developing lives.
May heaven forbid its passage.
In unborn babies, a "pipe-shaped" heart is formed during the sixth week and begins to beat with one chamber in week seven. The lungs, liver, pancreas and thyroid gland also begin forming in week seven. By week nine, well-defined fingers and toes are evident and the heart's general construction is complete. Unborn children begin to suck their thumbs, jump, "squint to close out light, frown, swallow" during the ninth to 10th weeks. Tiny bones begin to form in the arms and legs, and vocal cords begin to develop in the week 13.
The South Dakota Department of Health “2022 Report of Induced Abortions” lists reasons given for induced abortions. The most common reason given in 63.9 percent to 70.4 percent of the cases (2018-2022): “mother did not desire to have the child.”
The second most common reason (46.4 percent to 51.8 percent of the cases): “mother could not afford the child.”
During 2018-2022, 75.3 percent of aborted babies were of “gestational age” 10 weeks or younger, well within the first trimester. Amendment G would consecrate in our Constitution the right to abort babies on this type of scale – unending, and with “no prohibitions.”
Amendment G has no regard for the God-given innocence and purity of unborn babies.
President Ronald Reagan declared (1983): “We cannot survive as a free nation when some men decide that others are not fit to live and should be abandoned to abortion or infanticide.”
Bernie Hendricks
Brookings
Amendment G will pass at a 55% level. GOP stupidity on this issue is neverending. The US voter wants reasonable abortion access, and that is what Amendment G provides. It is quite reasonable in its language. If you are a reasonable person, you will vote Yes, not because you want abortion but because it is a necessary part of healthcare. Even if you publicly oppose abortion, vote Yes anyway.
Abortion has divided this country for way too long. Unfortunately, when “freedoms” are selective because of a belief or religion of certain people then it becomes an issue for restrictions. Abortion as a means of birth control is abhorrent. Abortion as a medical tool to save a mother is not birth control. It is a medical procedure. One person or group’s beliefs should not restrict the freedom of women to make decisions about their own body. You don’t like abortion? Don’t have one. Otherwise mind your own damn business.