Women's and girls' lives are at serious risk in 2024 election
Vote as if lives depend on it, because they do.
I’m sure you have seen social media postings, signs and comments from supporters of women’s rights stating this, and we are now seeing that this is 100% true.
Across the country, women are being refused life-saving health care because of draconian laws inflicted upon us by legislators who want you to believe they are pro-life. Unfortunately, this means protection for the fetus in the womb, but not if it is a girl after she is born.
We are seeing women on the brink of death or having died because doctors are told that they cannot provide the care they vow to uphold.
Some say decisions about reproductive health care should be left up to the states. I say reproductive health care decisions must be left up to the one who is pregnant, in consultation with medical professionals, not lawyers, administrators or those who wish to control women.
We know that some want to keep pushing back on hard-fought protections for birth control, IVF treatments and bodily autonomy. All you need to do is look at Project 2025, and I highly suggest you do. It is frightening.
When you go into the voting booth or fill out your write-in ballot, I want you to keep in mind that your vote is private. No one will see that you agree with candidates who wish to uphold your rights to privacy and personal autonomy. Your vote is your voice. Speak loudly!
Laura Welch, president, Illinois National Organization for Women
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Consumers pay for tariffs
In Wednesday's print edition, Tina Sfondeles wrote this in an article that addressed Donald Trump’s plans to impose large tariffs on imported goods if he is elected president: “He has repeatedly claimed that foreign countries pay tariffs — but those are paid by the countries that import the goods.”
That is not correct. Tariffs are in effect taxes imposed on importers when goods enter the country, and are frequently passed on to the consumer in whole or in part through increased prices for those goods.
And, even if the tariffs were paid by a foreign country, one would expect that those payments would be reflected in the selling price of the goods imported. So, either way, the consumer pays the ultimate price of increased tariffs.
John C. Domke, Skokie
Thank you, Kris Kristofferson
We know Kris Kristofferson could write a song, but I’m drawn to specific lyrics of his:
Well, I woke up Sunday morning/ With no way to hold my head that didn't hurt/ And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad/ So I had one more for dessert.
I was never much of a drinker, but those lines from Kristofferson’s “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” still resonate.
I might sip coffee instead of beer, but I’ve lived some version of that line. And what bachelor doesn’t relate to: Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes/ And found my cleanest dirty shirt.
“For the Good Times” is considered one of country music’s greatest songs. So is “Help Me Make It Through the Night.”
I have a habit of not fully appreciating people like Kristofferson until they’re gone, but hits like “Me and Bobby McGee” make me feel better about myself. Good songwriting does that to you.
Jim Newton, Itasca