Letters: Mike DeWine's 'treats' are 'tricks' to get votes. Abortion laws are anti-religious

The Columbus Dispatch
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'Timing is everything'

What’s that old expression? “Timing is everything.” All of a sudden, Gov. Mike DeWine is tossing out treats to we the voters.

More:Gov. Mike DeWine pitches eliminating Ohio sales tax on baby items amid abortion debate

Is he inspired by the spirit of Halloween or is it the upcoming November election in which he is up for reelection? Included in his bag of treats are a proposed elimination of sales taxes on baby items and expanded insurance coverage for lower-income mothers.

And just announced, a meager amount of state released funds for desperate food banks. Of which some of the above would have to be passed by our Republican-dominated Ohio legislature.

Good luck with that one, as they seem more interested in taking away women’s right to choose, proliferation of guns, dictating school curriculum, gerrymandering voting districts, and their own pocketbooks. All of which seem more trick than treat in making Ohio, in DeWine’s words, “the best place in the nation to have a baby and raise a family."

Susan B. West, Athens

What part of 'no law' is hard to understand?

The language is clear: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion.” The Constitution doesn’t say “some laws” or “a few laws.” The prohibition against compelling the American citizenry to observe and support the tenets of a particular faith is absolute.

Thousands turned out for the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. The event was a show of support for ending abortion access in Ohio from the point of conception.
Thousands turned out for the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. The event was a show of support for ending abortion access in Ohio from the point of conception.

Unfortunately, it is apparent that the supporters of an absolute ban of abortion, including those who gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, (Oct. 6 "March advocates for banning abortion at conception") have rejected this foundational tenet of American freedom.

More:Ohioans march at Statehouse to oppose abortion

The crowd cheers as Jeanne Mancini speaks during the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. The event was a show of support for ending abortion access in Ohio from the point of conception. Ohio's Republican lawmakers are poised to ban nearly all abortions when they return to Columbus after the November elections.
The crowd cheers as Jeanne Mancini speaks during the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. The event was a show of support for ending abortion access in Ohio from the point of conception. Ohio's Republican lawmakers are poised to ban nearly all abortions when they return to Columbus after the November elections.

More:Ohio lawmakers introduce bill banning abortion at conception unless mother's life at risk

Many of the speakers and others at the demonstration urged the adoption of their version of Christian principles to justify the restriction of the rights of others who believe differently. These people would, with no respect for our fundamental laws, establish their beliefs as compelling rules for all.

No law means no law. Is that really so difficult to understand?

Ronald L. Solove, Columbus

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'Faith in the spirit of liberty'

Near the end of her life, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was asked what she thought was the biggest threat to our democracy. She responded, “A public that doesn’t care about the rights we have.”

More:Opinion: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a role model and inspiration

In this July 24, 2013, file photo, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg poses for a photo in her chambers at the Supreme Court in Washington. Ginsburg developed a cultlike following over her more than 27 years on the bench, especially among young women who appreciated her lifelong, fierce defense of women's rights. She died Sept. 18, 2020.
In this July 24, 2013, file photo, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg poses for a photo in her chambers at the Supreme Court in Washington. Ginsburg developed a cultlike following over her more than 27 years on the bench, especially among young women who appreciated her lifelong, fierce defense of women's rights. She died Sept. 18, 2020.

She went on to quote Judge Learned Hand: “When the fire dies in the hearts of people, there is no judge and no constitution that can restore it.” She concluded, “So my faith is in the spirit of liberty.”

I cannot express any better my sentiments about the upcoming election. It is imperative that we overlook the chaos and do what is required of citizens in a democracy – register to vote by Oct. 11 and vote on Nov. 8 – so that we can renew our faith in the spirit of liberty.

Laura Moorman, Westerville

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Abortion ban supporters pushing their religion on others