Letter to the editor

We have a choice in the November 5 election between two initiatives regarding abortion, Initiative 434 or Initiative 439.

Initiative 434 would protect unborn babies from abortion in the second and third trimesters except for cases of medical emergencies, sexual assault or incest. The laws we currently have regarding parental notification for minors, informed consent before abortion and in-person requirements to receive abortion pills would remain in place. Common-sense laws like basic safety regulations for abortion facilities and requiring a licensed physician to perform abortions would also be preserved. Our legislature could still add more protections in the first trimester should they choose to do so.

Initiative 439, on the other hand, threatens all of these Nebraska laws. Its vague and deceptive language would create a right to late-term abortions in our state. Fetal viability can be defined very broadly. Even a child who might only need the help of medical equipment to breathe could be considered non-viable. Furthermore, abortion clinic workers, who have a financial stake in the outcome, would be the health care practitioners deciding fetal viability. Abortion activists could use the term “fundamental right to abortion” to force taxpayers to fund abortion. By using “persons” instead of “women,” any girl under the age of 18 could have an abortion without parental knowledge or consent.

Please join me in voting FOR Initiative 434 and AGAINST Initiative 439 to protect current Nebraska laws. It is important to cast a vote on both initiatives because if both pass, the one with the most “for” votes will become part of the Nebraska Constitution.

Mrs. Sandy (Ed) Moser