In the fourth paragraph of the editorial “Does the Supreme Court believe in states’ rights or not?,” you assert that “The rulings all but contradicted each other … .” In the next paragraph you go on to point out that “guns are specifically spelled out in the Bill of Rights.” You also point out that abortion is not mentioned in the Constitution, along with your sarcastic comment that women are not mentioned in the Constitution, either.
Contrary to your conclusion, I find the court’s rulings to be consistent. Both rulings rely upon a literal interpretation of the document. To me, if you wish women to have a constitutional right to abortion, then initiate and pass an amendment to the Constitution that does so (just as the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote). It is a specious argument to suggest that what was written in 1787 is flawed because it did not mention women.
Our Constitution was a giant leap forward as it impacted the world. When written, the worldwide norms of society were dramatically less inclusive than now. We remain the freest and most inclusive country on the planet.
John Irvin
Lower Burrell