SC legislation H.3774
Introduction
This is not an "Indigo Party"-solution to the abortion debate (I haven't fully considered it), but this is a letter-to-the editor I submitted on 4/29/2023. Hope I didn't sound dumb.
Letter:
As a life-long South Carolinian, I am disappointed in my fellow citizens for initiating and in my representatives: Tom Young for not opposing and Bart Blackwell for sponsoring the anti-abortion legislation H.3774. I think the decision to end a pregnancy should be between a woman, her doctor, and her partner.
However, if the legislators believe the rights of unborn and unwanted children are paramount, this legislation does not go far enough.
In addition to protecting the life of these unborn and unwanted children, the State must assume the responsibility to care for them, from the time they are conceived until they become 18 years old. In addition, because no abortions are allowed, all children must be considered unwanted and the State is obligated to provide support for all children - 55,000 children /year. This means universal healthcare, food, clothing, and shelter ($763 million/year).
And because a woman may become pregnant from puberty through menopause, to properly take care of these unborn children, all SC women of child-bearing age (1.3 million) should receive universal healthcare, food, clothing, and shelter ($18,055 million/year).
These necessary costs would increase the current state budget by 58%. I doubt many of the citizens and legislators promoting the current legislation would also promote a 58% increase in their tax bill.
Conclusion
The letter to the editor was published.
They added a $ in front of the 55,000 year (that’s what I get for leaving my units off) – should have been 55,000 children / year or $13872.72 per child per year - (fixed above) - where did I get $13872.72 - I'm not sure - I think I looked on the web for "how much to raise a child" (currently (September 2024) that number shows about $17,085.