Community Corner

Letter: Simmons is 'Dangerous' to Women's Health

Letter writer Gloria McVeigh says some of state Rep. Justin Simmons' votes have been "insulting and downright dangerous" to women. Simmons, a Republican, represents Pennsylvania's 131st legislative district.

To the editor:

Women are not single-issue voters. We care as much about education as so-called “women’s” issues. But when politicians threaten havoc on women and their families just to appeal to knee-jerk right-wing voters, you’d better believe we pay attention.

How is it possible that, in the 21st century, a major party candidate like Republican Justin Simmons can be so insulting and downright dangerous in his votes affecting women’s most intimate lives? Simmons is state Representative for District 131, which includes western Lower Saucon Township, Upper Saucon Township, Coopersburg, Upper and Lower Milford townships, eastern Salisbury Township and southeast Allentown.

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Simmons co-sponsored PA’s infamous law requiring that women submit to an invasive vaginal ultrasound before having an abortion. Who crafts such an abusive tactic to intimidate women exercising their legal right to abortion? Justin Simmons. Who votes to shut down statewide Planned Parenthood clinics that provide women birth control services--preventing unwanted pregnancies and therefore many abortions--as well as cancer screening and treatment for sexually-transmitted diseases? Justin Simmons. Whose position is more extreme than 83 percent of all Americans on access to safe, legal abortion--opposing it even in cases of rape and incest? Justin Simmons. But who respects women enough not to presume to dictate their decisions on family planning and would consistently vote to fund clinics providing those? Simmons’ Democratic opponent, Kevin Deely.

If you are a woman, or believe that women have the same right that you do to make their own decisions, vote for Kevin Deely on November 6.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gloria McVeigh

Lower Saucon Township


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