Vote “No” so that politicians will let us all mind our own business.

Amendment 2

Lexington Friends Meeting (of the Religious Society of Friends— Quakers) holds to our belief that there is that of God in each person and as such, each person, within his/her/their own relationship with the Divine, has autonomy over decisions relating to their health and their body.

We join with many other people of faith in urging Kentuckians to vote “No” on Constitutional Amendment 2, which would deny any right to or funding for an abortion in our state. The delays and costs for travel out of state, particularly for Kentuckians living in or near poverty, will not stop abortions. It will, however, make them less safe. Our government should not have a veto over our individual, personal health care decisions.

Co-Clerks Princess Nelson and Connie McNeely, Lexington (Quaker) Friends Meeting (Quakers), Lexington

Vote No

An Oct. 24 article in the Herald-Leader tells us that four Catholic bishops have proclaimed abortion to be immoral. They call for a “Yes” vote for Amendment 2. If you revere Catholic teachings, you should avoid abortion services, even if your loved one is carrying a rapist’s child or a septic fetus, has eclampsia, or mental health issues, or is too young and frail to survive a threatening pregnancy.

You can bury your loved one piously, with blessings from the Catholic Diocese. But some people have more nuanced views about morality, aligned with philosophers of other faiths.

Vote “No” so that politicians will let us all mind our own business.

Jacquelyn Thompson, Lexington

Pro death penalty? Prolife?

I read with interest the Kentucky Catholic Bishops editorial regarding the constitutional amendment to prohibit abortion. Their position was not surprising, given the church’s long-standing opposition to abortion. However, I do think they missed an opportunity to reiterate that the Catholic Church’s pro-life stance also includes opposition to the death penalty.

I think the bishops omitted any mention of the death penalty because adding another hot-button topic would cloud the purpose of their message, which was to encourage a “Yes” vote on Amendment 2.

Nonetheless, this does present a paradox to consider. Can you be pro-life on one hand and pro-death on the other?

Americans, it seems, are evenly split, meaning just as many pro-life supporters oppose the death penalty, as there are pro-choice supporters who approve of the death penalty for capital crimes. The remainder are equally split supporting one, but not the other. Interestingly, neither abortion nor the death penalty is addressed in the New Testament, so the controversies surrounding these two issues are man-made. Yet, Jesus did have a lot to say about hypocrisy, and I believe if you’re going to take a pro-life stance, then take a real pro-life stance and also oppose the death penalty.

Mike Kennedy, Lexington

Consequences matter

Before voting yes on Amendment 2, please consider the consequences. Voting “Yes” means more poverty, more crime, more homelessness, more hunger, more unemployment, more anger, more pain, more despair, and far more damage to our environment. That will affect us all - not just the poor and middle class. Everyone.

This involves even more than a woman’s right to govern her own body. It involves our very existence on this planet. Do please consider these facts and vote “No” on Nov. 8th.

Catherine Ferguson, Lexington

Andy Barr

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s commercials celebrate all is well in Kentucky and his re-election will ensure this. Certainly, there are many wonderful things about the Commonwealth, and apparently, Andy Barr’s Kentucky also includes no minorities or people who have any difficulty or problems in their lives, if his commercials are any indication.

How could you not vote for someone who assures the liquor will continue to flow; horses will continue to run; basketball will be the best avenue for advancement (for males at least); we will have safe tree-lined sidewalks to walk on; and we will not have to deal with any of the inconveniences of life caused by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

All might not be right in the world, but all is apparently right in Kentucky-and will continue to be if we keep Andy in office.

Charles Myers, Lexington