This story is about one of the reddest states in the union; Texas. It is about how Republican’s decision to violate the Constitution four years ago has resulted in great danger and harm for the state’s low-income women.

The issues are abortion and Planned Parenthood.

Although the first amendments protects freedom of religion, and freedom from religion, Republicans, in support of the Christian religious right, continue their attempts to force Christian “beliefs” upon our nation’s citizens. Texas’ state government does not believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, but they are using religion to advance their political careers. Their support of a religion based on fantasy and illusion is a disgrace.

Four years ago Texas Republicans decided to remove Planned Parenthood from the state’s family planning program. The result is devastating for low-income women and will have long term repercussions. This is a thinly veiled effort to harm the lives of thousands of black and Hispanic women by a white state, Republican controlled, government.

The use of contraceptive devices has dropped by 41 percent, and teenage abortions have increased at an alarming rate. But Republican legislators are not concerned. They feel no responsibility to non-white women, many of whom depended upon Planned Parenthood for their reproductive healthcare, and no longer have the ability to care for the well-being of their own bodies.

After seven decades of being a patriotic American, I have few regrets. I do have one which only began a little over 20 years ago, and became sadder when millions of Americans chose to be ignorant and elected the worst man possible for the most important job in America. My regret is that I will not live long enough to see the old, white men who now dominate our government with their antiquated and prejudiced views leave Washington and be replaced by true Americans who care about all of our nation’s people. I won’t be here to see someone stand up for the Constitution and eliminate religion from our politics. The two do not mix well and remove freedom and liberty for millions.

Texas continues in its efforts to become the most racist and bigoted state in the nation, but they remain second to Alabama. They have to try harder, and I’m sure that they will.

Please re-post; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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