I am a retired OB/GYN, of Jewish descent, an atheist and a Humanist. I choose to do good and do no harm. I have been involved in reproductive and personal rights since the mid-seventies. I have also studied the very frightening history of the suppression of reproductive and individual rights. It is horrendous. The recent radical decision of Alabama’s supreme court to label an embryo a minor child is absurd and worrisome. Will these embryos now have the same rights as a minor child, i.e. be a tax deduction, surviving child benefits, 529 plans etc.? Where will the attacks on reproductive freedom end? Will birth control pills, Plan B, condoms, diaphragms, IUDS, be made illegal? Will we lose physicians to threats of fines and jail?

If this continues, history shows that we will kill and maim women, increase suicides, increase poverty, create an underground abortion network, destroy families and more. Surely attacks on LGBTQ people, education content, religious and racial attacks will also escalate. This imposition of Christian ideology, far right-wing bigotry and racism, primarily by Republicans, is leading to the creation of an isolated, autocratic theocracy with the imposition of a partisan ideology on others. This will most certainly lead to increasing social unrest and unless compromise is achieved this will lead to violence and civil war. We must define our futures and this year more than ever vote to choose the path of our American Dream. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us.

Wayne Goldner

Bedford