Here is my written comment condemning the Respect for Life Week proclamation:
My name is Cliff Solomon, and I’m writing you today to express my deep concern about the Right to Life proclamation. I have expressed my outrage in the past, and I will continue to do so.
This proclamation is not just words; it is a fundamental issue that could significantly impact the lives of women in our community. I believe that the wording hides the true purpose of the declaration: to deny women their right to choose the healthcare options necessary as they deal with the realities of their lives.
The proclamation assumes a universal agreement on what constitutes respect for life.
However, this is a complex issue with diverse perspectives influenced by personal beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and ethical considerations. It’s essential to ensure that such proclamations respect the diversity of all who live in the Santa Maria Valley and do not impose a particular viewpoint on all residents. Respecting these diverse perspectives is not just important; it's crucial for fostering a more inclusive and understanding community.
The proclamation also ignores the fact that the state of California is a national leader in the protection of women’s rights and the safeguarding of abortion rights for women. It is entirely inappropriate for the City to ignore the overwhelming majority opinion in this state regarding abortion and women's rights.
This is not a situation in which personal religious beliefs should be used to make a proclamation that contradicts the beliefs of most citizens.
We are in the midst of a horrific attack on our health care system. I ask that the Santa Maria City Council respect the freedoms of all Central Coast citizens, including women’s rights to health care.
Cliff Solomon