Reader believes state’s abortion debate should be resolved by voters, not politicians

Let the people vote

HR.5399 has stirred up a lot of emotion in the Palmetto State. Those crafting the bill make it more restrictive as the days go by.

Our representatives are supposed to do as their constituents would desire; however, it seems that they aren’t listening to the state’s citizens.

It’s time to determine this issue the most diplomatic way possible — put it to a vote. Let the citizens of South Carolina vote on whether to uphold abortion rights in the state of South Carolina. This is an issue for the people.

The only reason our legislature wouldn’t allow a vote would be because they believe they would lose. It’s time to allow the people to have their say.

Cynthia Parker, Columbia

Tell us more

The public needs more information about the USC Board of Trustees.

A short resume about each board member would be informative. Explain how someone becomes a board member. How are they selected? What are the politics involved?

Are the board members paid for serving? If so, how much? Who determines their compensation?

USC is a multi-million-dollar operation. Are there potential conflicts of interest between any trustee’s business and USC spending or business contracts?

The legislature wanted to restructure the board but what is the “structure”? The good ole boy system with the legislators and board seems intact.

Kim Chillag, Columbia

New low

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s latest pronouncement warning of “riots in the streets” if former President Donald Trump is indicted is troubling for at least two reasons.

He is either issuing a clarion call for extremists and insurrectionists to take to the streets if Trump is indicted, or he is trying to intimidate the Department of Justice into not indicting Trump under the threat of violence.

This is a new low for Graham who will seemingly do anything to stay in Trump’s good graces. He should, however, be worried about his own future as he tries to avoid having to testify before a Grand Jury in Georgia looking into election irregularities.

Lewis Huffman, Columbia

Protect our kids

While South Carolinians certainly need to continue to debate many of the issues before our legislature and current in our political contests, one would hope we would also continue to solve problems that both Republicans and Democrats can agree on.

For me and many others, one of these issues is the online safety of our children and grandchildren who because of a lack of proper safeguards and regulations are under constant bombardment from threats they should not have to face.

Presently California is awaiting the governor’s signature on significant new extensive safeguards to protect children from the many threats they can face online.

And, although I must confess that I do not always look to California for guidance, this legislation is worthy of serious consideration because it truly addresses the worries many of us have about the safety of our precious ones.

Thus, I write in the hope that our legislature and my fellow South Carolinians will pay attention to this proposed legislation and sooner rather than later enact similar protections for our own children and grandchildren.

Philip W. Jacobs, Newberry

This story was originally published September 11, 2022 at 6:00 AM.