LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: READER DIFFERS WITH COLUMN

To the Editor:

I do not normally read Ellen Goodmans' column, but in todays' editon of the Southeast Missourian, (Oct. 6), the title of her column caught my eye, "Being Female Pre-Existing Condition". Well, I was curious. How could being female be classified as a pre-existing condition? It didn't take long to see that her article was not refering to simply being female, but to a womans' right to choose an abortion. Trying to tie convenience abortions to womens' health is a weak link to say the least. It is a known fact that women experience far more Health problems from having abortions, than carrying a child to full term. If she were truly concerned about a womans' health, let alone the health of the child, then she would be more concerned with the complications, both physical and emotional caused by abortions.

Ms. Goodmans' article is only weakly about health issues. It is about getting the Federal Government (the tax payer) to fund convenience abotions. By saying the poor are compromised because they can't get convenience abortions is ridiculous. They are still covered for cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. What other "health" issue could warrant an abortion? They are simply for convenience, namely for the convenience of the oft-times unsuspecting mothers.

I believe that the majority of convenience abortions occur because of the misguidance of the liberal press, i.e. Ellen Goodmans' column, and organizations such as Planned Parenthood. Women should not be lead to believe that a fetus is not a baby. It is an established fact that life begin at conception. Health care policy should reduce abortions by promoting truth about life and fetal developement, not by promoting contraception.

Regardless of what Ms. Goodman says, to solve this problem with the "two-tiered" reproductive health care system, is to make convenience abortions illegal, not to make taxpayers foot the bill to kill so-called "unwanted" children. I for one am sternly set against having my taxes pay for convenience abortions. I believe that the majority of Americans stand with me. It is time for the silent majority to be heard.

Roch A. Liles

Cape Girardeau