Letter To The Editor in the Kingsport Times-News

A recent letter held the opinion that Tony Shipley is more pro-life than Nathan Vaughn, citing Shipley’s help in forming the Tennessee Alliance For Life as evidence. In 2006, the advocacy group Tennessee Right To Life endorsed Nathan Vaughn, as his views are in line with the principles they have held since 1975. In 2008, Vaughn received a 100 percent rating from Tennessee Right To Life. The Sullivan County Right To Life chapter endorsed Shipley and broke rules of tax guidelines for non-profits and TRL’s rules and was disaffiliated from TRL, as TRL endorses candidates by voting record, not their political affiliation. Recently prominent Republicans like Mumpower have expressed dissatisfaction with TRL for endorsing Democratic candidates, as if only Republicans valued life. One can only wonder if the new organization will be as objective in this matter as the position that TRL has taken, or if they have been formed as a tool to give credence to Republican candidates.

There is much more to being pro-life than being anti-abortion. Does the mother’s life not matter if the birth would kill her, or is she merely a casualty? A child has a right to life after he or she is born. Many pro-lifers begrudge food stamps and medical care for the very children that they demanded had the right to be born, as if what happens after the womb isn’t relevant. The mother should also have assistance, as caring for a child is more than some can bear alone, financially and mentally. For a mother to work, she must have competent, affordable day care, or holding down a job is impossible without help in that area.

Robert Quincy

Kingsport