Vote for informed choice: Yes on 1 and other letters to the editor

Vote for informed choice: Yes on 1

I worked in a crisis pregnancy center for five years and witnessed the pain and regret many women felt because they were not given all the choices available to them. According to a post-abortive survey: 52 percent felt they needed more time to decide, 64 percent felt pressured by others, 90 percent said they were not given enough information to make an informed decision and 83 percent regretted it afterwards.

No one can take away a woman's right to choose. No one should be able to keep a woman from learning about all her options. Yet Planned Parenthood has raised millions of dollars from outside our state to run misleading ads to defeat Amendment 1. Maybe it's because in 2012 only 1/6 of 1 percent of its pregnancy services were for adoption referrals. A lucrative 93.8 percent of services went to abortion. That's one adoption referral for every 149 abortions.

If Amendment 1 passes, legislators can re-propose safety laws neighboring states still have but we lost after the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled they were unconstitutional in 2000.

Vote "yes" on Amendment 1 and give women a chance to make an informed choice.

MARCIA SWEARINGEN

Hixson

A destructive belief system

I want to thank a recent letter writer for his letter, "Fundamental Truths are Missed." Finally, the last nail in the coffin of fundamentalist Christianity has been surgically inserted, with truth and precision, about how destructive this belief system as been on our land.

Jesus never proclaimed himself the "only son of God." John said that about Jesus, whose prayers always began "Our" father - not "my" father, and when he said there was "no way to the father but by me," he was talking about the consciousness that sees only beauty and feels only love, not for us to worship but aspire too, and being nailed up wasn't what he wanted.

I am happy to share that only a few old die-hards accept this God of vengeance as worthy of being worshipped. I praise the Chattanooga Times Free Press for having the sanity and love of others' opinions to print it.

ROBERT BROWN

Don't reelect the scoundrels

Letters continue to arrive urging the governor to sign Tennessee up for the Medicaid expansion for those citizens still without insurance coverage. Gov. Haslam should have done that back when first given the opportunity to do so. Now he has waited too late. The state legislature did not trust him and passed a law forbidding him to enroll the state without the consent of the legislature, which he will never receive, of course.

What is the solution? We have the opportunity to vote out those who have so uncaringly tied the governor's hands via their vote. Will it happen? Doubtful, but it should. We need to correct this great wrong done to thousands of Tennessee citizens. Please consider this before reelecting the scoundrels.

RONALD CUMBIE

East Brainerd

Political vote not Causer's cause

I can think of nothing better than casting my vote for Rick Causer. I find him to be approachable and always able to explain why he votes the way he does. For example, I asked him why he voted against putting the tablets in our police cars. It looks bad on the surface and appears he didn't want to provide our police officers with the equipment they requested. When asked, he told me he wanted assurances the devices would not be used in an untoward manner, that there had to be checks and balances to prohibit improper use, and that those assurances were not given to him. Sadly, he felt he had no choice but to vote against them even though he knew that vote would unquestionably hurt him. I do have some concerns about the recent issues we have learned about our in police department.

Rick spent his life standing on that wall protecting our rights and liberties while he served in the United States Air Force. Continuing to fight for us is more important to him than making a political move or getting votes. Elect Rick Causer as commissioner at large for Red Bank.

PAT WEAVER

Red Bank

It's time to live like you're dying

Why does it take us so long to realize how precious life is and what really matters? That is just the way life is for most, if you're human. Unfortunately, we cling together to the people we value when we realize we might lose them, and we recognize the little things in life were really some of the biggest treasures.

Once we've worked hard to get what, who and where we wanted, and then feel achieved, we want something different or more. It's at that point we neglect what was held dear. As humans, getting caught up in material, technology and drama and trying to impress those people we barely know is our way. So better give light to your true friends, a family who might need groceries, the neighbor who keeps an eye out, the child who is doing their best, a spouse who keeps you grounded, a pet who is loyal, great parents who teach you wisdom and, most of all, God. It's time to remember.

It's time because these are the things that will matter in the end, and what's really amazing is that we live like that day may never come.

CHRISTINE DIWAN

Background makes Headrick best pick

My political involvement began with Adlai Stevenson's first campaign. Later, while living and working in D.C. for 25 years, I gained perspectives and understandings about politicians and the political process (as a lobbyist for a while). This background leads me to endorse Dr. Mary Headrick as our new District 3 representative. Having experience and an educational background in math, physics, research, computer systems and medicine equips her to best serve everyone in our district. She was a middle-school educator. Being a practicing emergency doctor gave her a perspective on human needs, health care needs and what must be done for our district. Her understanding of community needs will ensure she will not fiddle while our Chickamauga Lock "burns." She has the intellect and experience to effectively deal with broad national and international challenges. Dr. Headrick understands urban and rural needs. Her background has given her the ability to feel and understand the pulse of people and our community better than any other candidate.

Dr. Headrick knows how to get a job done - including working with others regardless of political stripes.

I trust Dr. Headrick with my vote and to do the right thing for all.

HARVEY WEISS

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