Human rights, like simple auto traffic, seem to have no beginning or end; there is only a flow—or not.

The U.S. Constitution speaks of certain self-evident, “inalienable rights.” Self-evident rights or not, it is notable that a growing Bill of Rights had to be tacked onto the Constitution to amend its deficiencies. Most glaringly, people of color and women were alienated from these “inalienable rights” and it took a war and a great many years of struggle and sacrifice to painfully and only partially address the gap between the lived reality and the Constitutional promise of protection under the law.

Hold that thought. Now our newly aggressive and extremist Supreme Court has decided that women are no longer the best judges of their own pregnancy decisions. Rather, this supposedly liberty-loving, predominantly conservative body has decided that the government is a better judge of what will be the family plan for American women. I guess anyone has the right to buy assault weapons but ultimately a woman’s sex life must be state-controlled.

Clearly, for American women in 2022, the “traffic flow” of human rights has abruptly halted. Now, it is up to American voters of all persuasions, this November and beyond, to signal their displeasure with this flagrant tampering with all women’s right to choose. As repugnant and arrogant as is the SCOTUS decision to end a 50-year reproductive rights precedent, we voters must decide whether their hubristic act is merely a troublesome detour on the long and difficult road to women’s equality, or a more sinister and lingering roadblock. 

Together, let’s clear the road and make our democracy representative to all Americans this November, in every case; vote for women’s personal liberty and their right to choose. 

John Pace

Honesdale, PA

‘We are a sales tax-based economy’

Robert A. Doherty, District 1 legislator, Sullivan County, reveals his idea of fiscal responsibility in his statement criticizing Aileen Gunther for her proposal to temporarily reduce the state tax on gasoline.

A sales tax on basic necessities is a regressive tax that impacts those of lesser means much more than those more comfortable financially.

Two hundred dollars in gasoline tax represents a one percent tax on someone with a $20K income versus a 0.1 percent tax on someone with a $200K income.

Recognizing this, Ms. Gunther’s proposal helps those who need help.

Of course we need adequate funding for our services and programs, but tax rates should not be so dramatically skewed against the poor.

Shifting revenues towards income taxes is a much fairer system of taxation.

Carl Rosenmann

Equinunk PA

Time to drastically curb use of neonics

Good news for bugs!  Many northeastern states (CT, ME, MA, NJ, MD and VT) passed tough restrictions on the sale of neonics (neonicotinoids).  Now New York is positioned to be the first to drastically curb Big Ag’s use of neonic-treated seeds. 

Most conventional corn and half of conventional soybean seeds are coated with neonics.  Since merely five percent of the chemical is absorbed into the plants, the rest contaminates our soil, water and other plants.  It stays around for years.

Like lead and mercury, neonics are a neurotoxin and there’s no known level of safe exposure.  Please register your support for banning this bee-, bird- and other pollinator-killer at nrdc.org/savebees.

Remember, every third bite you eat is thanks to a bee!  Help save them.

Doris Chorny

 Wallkill, NY