Letter: A father's letter to the undecided

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November 3, 2012

Letter: A father's letter to the undecided

Anonymous Gloucester Daily Times The Gloucester Daily Times Sat Nov 03, 2012, 12:00 AM EDT

To the editor:

As the father of three intelligent, responsible, productive, and compassionate daughters, I cannot believe that, in this century, pivotal members of the Republican party believe that a woman’s right to control her own body and life, and to follow her own beliefs and conscience could be overthrown.

That this stance is justified by invoking a particular faith makes it even worse.

A tenet of faith or belief is not a legal or scientific fact. Faith can be a powerful force for good in our world and I fully support the rights of others to hold to their own beliefs.

But they have no right to tell others what to believe or do. Those who don’t believe in abortions or birth control can follow their own consciences, why can’t the rest of us?

I hope no father ever has to explain to a beloved daughter in distress and anguish, why he voted for a leadership or party that wants to make it impossible for her to make her own choices.

Having nurtured and educated her to become a strong, thoughtful person capable of making her own decisions and choices, how can he then vote for a party in the grips of people who want to curtail the most personal decisions, which affect no one more than herself?

Those wishing to turn back the clock are appallingly cruel. They vote against health care for all and against the education and information that would minimize the need for such choices in the first place.

This is intolerable. I can’t vote for anyone who supports those who wish to force their beliefs upon my daughters.

If you vote for this party, you explain to your daughter(s) why you did; I can’t.

EDWARD HAND

Rockport