Should abortion go to the ballot for SC to vote on? A reader thinks it should

Abortion measure

Let the voters of South Carolina decide! People in SC vote on issues in and around the state on every ballot. Put the issue of abortion on the ballot like many other states have done, and let the people of SC decide. If the Supreme Court was right in saying it is a “states issue,” then place it on the next ballot, and the people of SC can decide once and for always.

MaryAnn Carruthers, Myrtle Beach

Forward Party

Recently, something historic and unprecedented happened. Three new political parties put aside their differences, found common ground, and merged into one movement. At the end of July, the Forward Party. led by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, the Serve America Movement, led by former Republican Congressman David Jolly, and the Renew America Movement, led by former Republican leader Miles Taylor, merged into the new Forward Party. Forward has existed for less than a year, but yet it’s now the third largest political party in the United States, by both resources and volunteers. Better yet? This political party isn’t focused on the leaders at the top: it’s a bottom-up coalition of activists who believe this petty tribalism and the two party system has to go. The two major parties dictate how you should feel and mandate top-down solutions. The Forward Party listens to what you say needs changing and helps you find bottom-up, local solutions. All the while, it helps cultivate our civic responsibility, and it develops leaders in local communities around the country.I recently joined the Forward Party, and I encourage you to join me in building the movement right here in South Carolina. To join, go to ForwardParty.com

Dylan E Pucilowski, Myrtle Beach

Clyburn shamed

Rep. James Clyburn is an embarrassment to South Carolina. Anyone who compares this great country’s politics to Nazism should not be in any public office as his views are certainly un-American. He should be ashamed.

Barbara E. Boylston, Charleston

Thanks

On Veterans Day, the South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists (SCANA) pays tribute to veteran and active-duty military Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who have served our country by caring for those who fight to protect the American way of life. The strong bond between the U.S. military and nurse anesthetists was forged more than 150 years ago, when nurses first gave anesthesia to wounded soldiers on the battlefields of the Civil War. Since then, CRNAs have been the primary front-line anesthesia providers in every U.S. military action around the globe. Scores CRNAs were educated and trained at military universities and gained indelible experience in austere environments courageously caring for service men and women in the military. At home, CRNAs are essential healthcare providers in VA hospitals, ensuring that veterans receive the best surgical, obstetrical, trauma, and pain management care possible. Without quality anesthesia, these services simply would not be possible. As president of SCANA, it’s my honor and privilege to salute those who have served to protect and those who have served to heal our protectors.

Marcia Iszard, Blythewood

Election heroes

South Carolina held a successful election for its citizens. Poll managers, poll clerks and poll workers made this possible. These volunteers undergo training on their own time and give up a full day of their customary responsibilities on Election Day to empower voters and defend democracy. They set up and staff the polling places, check in voters, answer call center phones, secure the ballots at the end of the day, and deliver them to their county office of voter registration and elections. Their day begins with reporting to their precincts at 6 a.m.. They work straight through until the polls close and the votes and machines have been secured and delivered to their county office of voter registration and elections. These 14-and-15-hour days demand sacrifice plus understanding and support from their families and associates. One hallmark of democracy is free and fair elections. A special thank you to these Election Day heroes for making democracy work.

Elizabeth Sumner Jones, Vice President for Voter Services League of Women Voters SC

This story was originally published November 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.