In 2000, the Supreme Court essentially "removed from the people all power, except by constitutional amendment, to enact reasonable regulations of abortion" as stated by Justice Mickey Barker. As a consequence of this decision, the states informed consent law was struck down (which is normally given to anyone having a surgical procedure). Also, the requirement that riskier later-term abortions be performed in a hospital setting. We saw what horrors that yielded in 2011 with the clinic of Kermit Gosnell is Philadelphia.
A vote for "YES" on Amendment 1 would amend the state constitution to again make it "neutral" on abortion while still subject to the abortion rights rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court. Amendment 1 could allow common-sense abortion regulations through our elected officials (representatives and state senators).
Do not be misled, Amendment 1 would protect Tennessee's women from greedy and unregulated abortionists.
Cindy Burke
Bristol, Tn.
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I would have never thought the words "common sense" and "our elected officials (representatives and state senators)" would occur in the same sentence. Vote no.
Herb Montgomery
Hixson