Let South Carolina voters have a referendum to voice their views on abortion access | Opinion

Allow voters to decide abortion issue

The issue of abortion access for women in South Carolina must be presented to the citizens in a referendum.

People who could be directly affected by the law as it stands must have a say.

An all-male State Supreme Court does not fairly represent a population where 51.3 % of its citizens are female.

Our state legislators need to place a referendum on abortion on the ballot as soon as possible.

Elizabeth Jones, Columbia

Haley showed her chops

The American people deserve to hear the truth and that is exactly what Nikki Haley unapologetically shared in the recent GOP presidential debate.

She proved that she is a fighter and will fight for the American people every single day of her presidency.

She was upfront about what the issues are and how we can realistically fix them.

She showed up for the debate and expertly showcased her unwavering resolve on foreign policy, specifically concerning Russia. Her assertive stance on Ukraine demonstrated her commitment to safeguard American interests and prevent another world war.

It was clear that she has the experience and extensive knowledge in international affairs that are necessary to keep America safe and stand up to the bullies of the world such as Russia and China.

In a world where geopolitical dynamics are rapidly evolving, Haley’s firmness on Russia stood out as a testament to her leadership and diplomatic prowess.

Her unwavering dedication to protecting our nation and its allies will allow her to navigate complex international issues effectively as president.

Megan Kinner, Clemson

Cowardly candidates

Let me start by saying I am a registered Democrat, and consider myself slightly independent. The Republican candidates are a bunch of cowards.

Donald J. Trump has been federally indicted. The only GOP candidate to act as a real Republican is Chris Christie.

Again, I do not agree with Chris Christie on most issues; however, I have to give him props for calling Donald J. Trump exactly what he is.

The rest of the Republican field is filled with a bunch of cowards. For example, Nikki Haley and Tim Scott.

Ronald M Andersen, Winnsboro

We must demand more

The United States now confronts major challenges, nihilistic forces which threaten the fabric and the structure of our country.

Firstly, the rampant mass shootings and gun violence in general, which see 109 people killed every day, is frightening.

Secondly, the savage capitalism which, among other things, prevents citizens from having a sane national health care system shows the drive for profit instead of an understanding of the real needs of the population.

Thirdly, while the Constitution calls for a separation of church and state, the two are now intertwined -- suggesting that the U.S. is a theist state.

Fourthly, the rise of a far-right movement willing to follow a charismatic leader who has been indicted four times and who has repeatedly tried to make a mockery of the Constitution and U.S. laws. This political activity makes it seem as if the country is more like the Third World, rather than a civilized developed nation.

Americans have a right to be worried about the future of their country.

We must demand much more from the political class and play a greater role in directing the country towards a better future.

Wayne Northcutt, Mt. Pleasant

Education system outdated

In the recent Republican presidential debate, Nikki Haley mentioned that children who are not reading by third grade need intervention.

The people of South Carolina and especially her politicians need, in my opinion, to be aware that all students do not learn the same material at the same time, and not all students’ brains develop at the same pace.

The system is causing the problem because the system is not designed to teach students subjects when their brains are ready to learn a particular material.

If we are truly interested in meeting the needs of all students in South Carolina, we need to overhaul our educational system to meet students’ needs.

That system should support students being taught when they are developmentally ready to learn rather than holding onto an outdated educational system’s timetable.

Kenneth Moulton, Prosperity