To the editor:

Disinformation is rampant these days. People need the facts to make a well-informed decision to vote. Sadly, so many just take what someone posts or re-posts on social media as truth and they don’t do the research. With so much corruption on the web in recent years it takes more effort to find valid sources and get the facts. This is definitely the case with the current proposed Value Them Both amendment.

There is currently a group based out of an abortion clinic that is pushing hard with a “stop the ban” campaign and putting out some very misleading information.

First and foremost, a “yes” vote does not ban abortion; the only thing it bans is state mandated taxpayer-funded abortions. There’s been information circulating that it will change medical treatment for ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, septic uterus or other life-threatening medical situations but this is not true. These are not prohibited by any Kansas pro-life law. This amendment also does not change any current laws regarding rape or other difficult circumstances.

Most people have no idea that a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision deemed every limit on the abortion industry presumably unconstitutional. This means that our laws limiting painful live dismemberment abortions and abortion clinic inspection standards have been struck down.

I feel strongly that people should vote “yes” and I truly believe a good amount of people that may be on the fence, if they understood the facts about the Value Them Both amendment, would easily agree with a “yes” vote. This isn’t a black and white if you’re pro-life you vote “yes” and if you’re pro-choice it’s a definite “no” vote. This is putting boundaries in place for the safety of all involved.

As stated before, a “yes” vote does not ban abortion, it only bans taxpayer-funding for abortion. Voting yes will also give our elected officials the ability to pass laws as needed in the future. If you are not familiar with the true amendment, the actual text of the proposed amendment is as follows:

“Because Kansans value both women and children, the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. To the extent permitted by the constitution of the United States, the people, through their elected state representatives and state senators, may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, laws that account for circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or circumstances of necessity to save the life of the mother.”

We can all do better at researching the truth in matters. We can all do better at putting a stop to the spread of disinformation. We can all do better at treating each other with kindness and respect even when we don’t agree.

Diane Guthrie

Great Bend