GOP fast becoming the party of restrictions

The GOP is fast becoming the party of more laws and more restrictions on our individual liberties.

Trump’s recent three Supreme Court nominees led the Court to repeal “Roe Vs. Wade” — which for the past 50 years has protected a woman’s right to control her own body and health care decisions. The court’s decision has triggered laws in red states, such as Idaho, to ban abortions and impose penalties on those who perform or help those seeking abortions.

And for some time, many Republicans have urged more arrests and longer sentences for citizens lawfully protesting excessive or illegal police actions.

What else can Trump and his fellow followers do to restrict the rights of others? Some,  including Justice Clarence Thomas, have threatened to repeal gay marriage rights, or the rights of married people to have access to contraception.

Fortunately, for those in North Idaho there are health care clinics across the border — in fact, most abortions involving North Idaho citizens have been performed in clinics in or near Spokane. And Washington’s governor has vowed to make abortions or health care treatments available to those from other states.

JIM RAMSEY

Sandpoint