Hochul's abortion plan and Roe v. Wade

Why are New Yorkers leaving the state? There are myriad reasons, but taxes is No. 1. State legislators are clueless with the introduction of another bill giving financial support for abortion providers and those traveling from other states seeking abortions ["Gov commits $35M for abortion services," News, May 11]. I am not against abortions, except for those in late term. I’m against having my tax dollars paying for out-of-state residents' abortions. New York, with its extremely liberal abortion laws, already has one of the highest numbers of abortions per year. If New York wants to help women take control of their own health decisions, the state should emphasize the use of cheaper and safer alternatives, such as birth control.

Carolyn Mastro, Port Washington

No matter which side of the abortion debate you support, you should be vehemently opposed to Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to fund abortions for women who don't even live in New York. This is an unprecedented burden on taxpayers and a boon for private abortion providers. Give us your tired, your poor, your pregnant. New York will pay for everything.

Kevin Lowry, Oceanside

Free abortions to women from other states? States like Texas? So women will pass through several other states where abortion is legal to get an abortion in New York? We have seniors and veterans who are suffering and can't afford rent and health care, and this is how the governor chooses to spend our money.

Chris Connors, Amityville

Debating hypocrisy of ‘my body, my choice’

A reader points out the hypocrisy of Republicans claiming “my body, my choice” when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations but not when it comes to abortion ["Roe v. Wade draft provokes readers," Letters, May 8]. The reverse is also true. The Democrats claiming “my body, my choice” when it comes to abortion did not seem to take issue with mandating us to put multiple COVID shots in our arms at the government’s behest.

There is hypocrisy on both sides of this issue. I am a Republican, but I believe “my body, my choice” should be applied to all medical matters. That is, I am pro-choice when it comes to abortion and pro-choice when it comes to COVID vaccinations. When I say I want the federal government to stay out of my private medical business, I mean it. You’ll find no hypocrisy in my house.

Priscilla Soumakis, Brightwaters

Is the United States a democracy? Recent letters show the hypocrisy of that question. “My body, my choice” is evoked when the subject is vaccinations, but not when it is a “woman’s right to choose.” One reader wants the court to interpret the laws and not be fazed by public sentiment. In a democracy, laws should reflect the will of the people, not of a monarchy. The composition of the court should not be controlled by one man, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, but by legitimate debate. For that matter, why is the president elected by the Electoral College, a body that is an anachronism nullifying the democratic principle of “one man, one vote.” So the answer is no, the United States is a democracy in name only. Let’s call it what it is.

Anthony Bruno, Babylon

Court draft devaluing the life of a woman?

A reader stated, “It has been established that life begins at conception." Conception produces a zygote, a single cell. The zygote is not a person although it contains the genetic plan for a person. It is no more a human than a set of architectural plans is a building. Even revised plans with lumber, nails and bags of cement are not yet a building.

The court draft would allow states to elevate the zygote to super personhood, valuing this cell over the life of the mother. 

Bruce R. Madonna, Mount Sinai

Democrat readers have blamed the Republican Party for the apparent demise of Roe v. Wade. However, they fail to blame the real culprits for the attack on abortion rights -- the Green Party liberals. The Green Party runs third-party candidates, who siphon votes away from Democrats and help Republicans win.

In 2016, the Green Party ran Jill Stein, helping Hillary Clinton lose and Donald Trump win the presidency. Trump appointed three conservative justices. The Green Party also ran Ralph Nader in 2000, helping Al Gore lose and George W. Bush win. Bush appointed two conservative justices.

The liberals have neglected the importance of the Supreme Court, and they are now meeting the consequences.

Ralph Daino, Wantagh

It’s sad that people allow themselves to be unrepresented by not voting. We could have all the things the majority wants peacefully if the majority would vote. How can there be a United States if nothing unites us?
Bill Stein, Kings Park

And other views . . .  

For almost 50 years, U.S. laws created a win-lose situation. The win (at least short term) belongs to the mother who found her pregnancy "inconvenient." The loss always belongs to her unborn child who has no defense against modern medicine. I don’t agree with those who support Roe v. Wade, but I do understand their frustration. This issue will never have a true winner, but abortion is not a good solution to a tough problem.

Thomas Focone, Stony Brook

I find it curious that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans are talking about imposing a nationwide ban on abortion after celebrating the Supreme Court planning to turn the issue over to the states. It is almost as hypocritical as their complaining about the loss of privacy caused by the court draft leak even as the court plans to rip the right to privacy from the Constitution.

Joe Squerciati, Hicksville

Our country, United States, is built on unity. Yet it also supports our freedom to our own opinions and to protest. The people divided by the impending court ruling are still united as Americans. Let's remember, as Americans we can agree to disagree.

Susan Marie Davniero, Lindenhurst