Abortion is a decision best left to women and their doctors. Not lawmakers.

Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito says the issue of abortion should be returned to the people’s elected representatives. I strongly disagree. The issue of abortion should be decided by women and their doctors.

Women do not elect representatives to make medical decisions for them. They elect representatives to protect their liberty and defend the Constitution. I urge Congress to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act. Women deserve the right to make their own decisions about health care, just like men.

Lynn Andrews, Durham

Court discredited

The story about the leaked Roe v. Wade draft opinion should be the three Supreme Court justices — Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch — who, in signing onto this draft, contradicted what they stated under oath during confirmation hearings.

It becomes difficult to see how these justices did not perjure themselves.

The leaked draft leaves the Senate confirmation hearing process and the Supreme Court discredited. It further erodes public confidence in our system of governance by lending credence to public concerns about the politicization of the court.

Art Kamm, Cary

Wake commissioners

Regarding “Being a Wake County commissioner could soon pay a lot more. Board considers 132% raise.” (April 29):

How absolutely tone-deaf can a group of people be? With workers (private and public) struggling to make ends meet, Wake commissioners want $66,223 a year in total compensation. What happened to the concept of public service? Maybe these commissioners should remember the words of John F. Kennedy and ask what they can do for their country, not what their country can do for them

Jeff Hill, Bahama

School funding

Wake County commissioners have a job to do — support our schools. Schools are under siege from state leaders who seek to privatize education in our state, handing out public dollars to charter schools and to private schools via vouchers.

County leaders must fund the WCPSS budget request in full. Our students need fully staffed schools with first-rate teachers, counselors, social workers, school psychologists, nurses, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, teaching assistants, and other support personnel. Give our students the schools they deserve!

Patricia Pilarinos, Raleigh

NC Senate Dist. 13

In regard to the N&O endorsement in NC Senate District 13, we disagree. As advocates who’ve had to negotiate the N.C. General Assembly on behalf of schools, students and traditionally underserved populations, we believe Lisa Grafstein is the far better candidate.

Her 30 years of experience championing marginalized individuals and civil rights is exactly what we need in the NCGA, especially now when vulnerable communities are being further marginalized. While her opponent has a few years experience on the Raleigh City Council, Lisa has spent decades as a staunch advocate for individuals, students with disabilities, and anyone who needs a champion. She has fought for access to healthcare, economic opportunity, and the ballot box.

We know she will be just as staunch an advocate for all of her constituents if elected.

Angella Dunston, Lillian’s List Action Fund board chair

Christine Kushner, Wake County school board member

John I. Wilson, retired director of NCAE

NC Zoo

The writer was an NC Zoo volunteer for 12 years, including three as an Aviary docent.

It saddens me to hear that the North Carolina Zoo’s Aviary will be demolished. (April 25)

The deficiencies of the aviary have been known for years, but preventive maintenance was obviously not performed on a timely basis.

The zoo has shown a lack of leadership in maintaining not only the aviary, but the Desert Pavilion — $1.7 million is now needed to salvage it.

The zoo plans to build two new exhibits in late 2022. Do N.C. taxpayers and N.C. Zoo Society donors think this is a wise utilization of funds? Perhaps, the zoo should do a better job maintaining its facilities.

Kenneth Powell, New Kensington, Penn.

This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Abortion is a decision best left to women and their doctors. Not lawmakers.."