DEAR EDITOR:

Hopefully, most Ohioans have read and understand the full text of Issue 1 relating to abortion and other reproductive decisions. Let it not be your first exposure as you vote in November.

The abortion issue, as simple as it may seem, is smothered with excess. Sheltered within this document are several phrases containing disturbing “keywords.” The devil is in the details, and one does not need to be a lawyer to expose them. Let me list the most disturbing ones:

• “Always allow and unborn child to be aborted …”

• “Prohibit the state from indirectly burdening …”

• “Create legal protection for …”

• “Including, but not limited to …”

• “Grant a pregnant woman’s treating physician …”

• “Only allow the state to prohibit an abortion …”

We are not a socialistic state and we are not ready to pass our constitutional rights over to others, but with unbridled words such as these, (particularly “Always”) leading the phrase, too much latitude is given to those who would abort. Each of us, with even the most fundamental compassion and a normal sense of decency can envision how this can and will be interpreted. Human lives will be extinguished in a most brutal fashion and your worst fears will be realized, without recompense.

In addition, buried in the bowels of this onerous amendment is legal protection for those individuals who would assist your young son or daughter with a sex-change procedure. As a parent, you would be obliged to pursue your dispute into the face of legally protected opposition. This amendment places your immature children into the hands of those who would mutilate their bodies.

If you haven’t done so yet, I urge you to read Issue 1 in its entirety, hopefully prior to election day, reflect carefully upon how those “keywords” may be interpreted, and only then, cast your vote as your conscience dictates.

A more compassionate Issue 1 might be found more acceptable, but not this one.

ART SEE

Canfield