Gloucester Daily Times Debate on Abortion (58), October 23, 1986

Abortion is Not a Two-Way Street

The limelight will be trained on poor women once again for a few weeks — until November 4 when their plight will recede — as usual.

For example, a letter in the Oct. 7 Times titled “Protect our right to privacy,” [Karen Morey] said in part: “Say ‘no’ to cutting Medicaid funds for abortion for poor women with serious health problems.”

More hypocritical dross. If those who favor public funded abortion are sincere in their concern for the poor, let them consistently demand adequate food, warm clothing, decent housing, gainful employment, etc., for those afford it and need it. If those who favor public funded abortion are sincere in their concern for the poor, let them finance their abortions voluntarily.

The assertion that government has no vote in the private area governing abortion is a prime example of doubletalk. In one breath the preceding is argued, and in the next it is concluded that government should provide help to those who need abortions and cannot afford it.

It cannot be had both ways. If abortion is to be defended on the grounds of privacy, it seems inappropriate (to say the least) that an unwilling public be forced into complicity by being required to fund it.

Helen P. Lattanzi, 451 Washington St.