Reader wants to see S.C. lead the way in getting the ERA ratified in remaining states

We could lead

In 1923, Alice Paul, a warrior in the fight for women’s rights, proposed amending the Constitution to add “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”

Currently, the only constitutional right guaranteed to women, who form the majority of citizens in our country, is the right to vote.

When it comes to legal rights in America, the Constitution is the gold standard. If a right is not stated specifically in the Constitution, it is held to a lesser standard. With one sentence, women would be guaranteed equal rights under the Constitution.

In 1972, the S.C.House of Representatives voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA); however, it was never signed into law.

This past week, we celebrated Virginia as the 38th state to ratify the ERA, but due to a deadline set for ratification, the amendment still has not been added to the Constitution.

South Carolina is one of only 12 states who have not yet ratified.

A recent poll shows that three out of four Americans support the ERA. South.Carolina can lead the way for the remaining states and become the 39th state to ratify the ERA.

Florence Barba, Myrtle Beach

Charges too high

It is well known that medical costs in the United States are higher than in other developed countries.

My experience suggests that we in Horry County are also paying extremely high medical costs. On Dec. 20, I went to the Emergency Room at McLeod Seacoast Hospital in Little River due to leg weakness. I waited for over an hour to be seen, was seen for about 10 minutes by a physician assistant, and prescribed prednisone.

For that 10 minutes and a prescription, I was charged $1,321.00.

I requested an itemized invoice and was sent a one-line invoice equaling $1,321.00.

In my opinion, charging over $1,000 for 10 minutes is exorbitant. There is no way this amount can be justified.

It is time for us all to say “enough is enough.”

Nancy Briganti, Carolina Shores

Do not forward bills

I have recently become aware of two bills before the S.C. Senate, S. 988 and S. 907, and I am gravely concerned.

S. 988 has been drafted in anticipation of the possibility that Roe. V. Wade will be overturned. That the legislature is so determined to prevent any woman from having an abortion for any reason is bad enough; the fact that it would rather spend time on a theoretical situation rather than addressing matters that demand attention now is unconscionable.

You have limited time. Get your priorities in order. Try legislating for childcare assistance for women who carried their children to full term.

S. 907 has legislators, individually and as a group, inserting themselves in the midst of medication (abortion pill) procedures.

First, it is not a politician’s business.

Second, trying to reverse a medication abortion has been proven neither safe or effective. In fact, trials were ended because they were found to be downright dangerous. Are politicians really so determined to interfere with a woman’s life choices that they would intentionally put her at risk? Shame on them.

Please do not go forward with these bills.

RIta Conrad, Bluffton

Stop Yemen war

Daily, the news reports savage bombing runs on the civilians in Yemen.

Violence has intensified as even children playing soccer and a prison holding detained migrant workers have been bombed. A blockade of food and medicine has left the civilian population trapped in starvation and disease.

Actions needed are: Stop the blockade, stop air support, feed people and address the urgent need for war powers legislation. Congress should take responsibility for war funding, not the president alone.

End the devastation of Yemen.

Grace Gifford, Conway