Letter to the editor: Lessons for Pa. from Kansas

Kansas voters’ crushing rejection of the amendment that would have removed the right to abortion from the state’s Constitution sends a loud message to Pennsylvania’s GOP legislators. Underhanded tactics likely won’t play well here either, even with many conservatives.

The Kansas amendment was deliberately worded to confuse voters and hide its true purpose: paving the way to a total ban. A proposed bill in the Legislature revealed their intentions, as did leaked audio of their plan to criminalize all abortions — no exceptions.

I joined the Vote No phone bank and spoke with many Kansans young and old, including a man who described himself as “pro-life,” who were angered by the “wickedly deceptive” wording. Even more opposed the government overreach. Republicans deliberately scheduled the vote for primary Election Day, counting on low turnout, especially among Democrats. Well, Democrats, unaffiliated voters and many, many Republicans turned out in droves to vote “no.” The people of Kansas said do not ban abortion.

Last month, the Pennsylvania GOP — as duplicitous as their Kansan cousins — sneaked a late-night “no constitutional right to abortion” amendment into a package of amendments. If it ever comes to a vote, let’s take our lead from Kansas and say no.

Michele Feingold

Squirrel Hill