More services mean fewer abortions

To the editor:

It was with interest that I read the Rev. Roger Ray's article on abortion in the Mirror, a Catholic newspaper. He pointed out that abortions decreased nearly 50 percent during Clinton's presidency, compared to the times during the last 20 years when the Republicans were in office. While Republicans were in, the abortion rate increased 500,000 a year. Ray states that having livable wages, health care for all and universal access to higher education are the means for dramatically reducing abortions.

When we hear about Gov. Matt Blunt's intent to cut Missouri's Medicaid benefits and other humanitarian programs, we can expect an increase in abortions in Missouri. If the Republicans really wanted to reduce abortions, they would increase taxes on the rich and use that money to take pressure off the poor. It is clear to me that Republicans say they are against abortion, but their real priority is something else.

Valuing all human beings is important for decreasing abortions.

BERNIE DIRNBERGER, Cape Girardeau