[ad_1]
Abortion rights obviously didn’t play the dispositive role Kamala Harris and the Democrats hoped it would in the presidential election. That happens; issues that enjoy majority support are often subsumed by matters that carry greater weight in a head-to-head contest.
But on Election Day, seven states did pass ballot measures to protect abortion rights. That tally includes four states that went for Trump: Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, and Montana. Citizens of Kansas and Ohio, both red states, previously voted to protect abortion rights, as did those in battleground Michigan.
“Wins for ballot measures in seven states show that abortion is still a mobilizing force that voters across the country get behind,” Krystal Leaphart, senior policy associate for state partnerships at the Guttmacher Institute, said via email.
The news was not all good, of course. Abortion rights efforts failed in three red states: South Dakota, Nebraska, and Florida. But the Florida loss comes with a large asterisk.
“Even in Florida, where the measure fell short of the 60 percent threshold, over 57 percent of voters supported it, signaling there is broad support for abortion rights despite a coordinated misinformation campaign against the measure,” Leaphart noted.
Post-Dobbs polling shows support for abortion rights has solidified. Meanwhile, tragic situations where women have died or suffered serious health traumas because they couldn’t obtain an urgently needed abortion should open more eyes. These are fights that can be won.
Gun safety presents a dual challenge, defensive on the national level, offensive on the state level.
Nationally, gun-rights advocates hope to pass legislation to override strict laws on the concealed carrying of guns by stipulating that states with tough laws must honor the right-to-carry arrangements travelers enjoy in their home states, even if those states have lax gun laws. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to sign a concealed carry reciprocity law, which would open a large loophole in individual state laws. That defensive battle will have to be waged in Congress and perhaps the courts.
Meanwhile, two realities could buttress efforts to strengthen state statutes.
First, in an era where gun violence has become epidemic, the data is clear, noted John Rosenthal, cofounder of Stop Handgun Violence: States with tougher gun laws have significantly lower rates of gun deaths than those with loose laws.
Further, though the Republican Party is beholden to the National Rifle Association and the gun lobby, polling shows relatively strong support for tougher gun laws among the public at large.
But those efforts will obviously have to be localized.
One of the strangest and most disappointing developments in the first Trump administration came after the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in which 17 students and staff were killed and 17 more injured.
At first it looked as though Trump had been moved to take significant action on gun safety. In a televised meeting with legislative leaders in March 2018, he actually accused Republicans of being scared — “petrified,” even — to take on the National Rifle Association but noted that he wasn’t similarly craven.
Then Chris Cox, at the time the NRA’s top lobbyist, paid a White House call on Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and declared via tweet that Trump and Pence “support the Second Amendment, support strong due process and don’t want gun control.” And that was pretty much that.
Indeed, speaking at an NRA-sponsored event in Pennsylvania earlier this year, Trump boasted about his inaction on firearms. “There was great pressure on me having to do with guns,” he said. “We did nothing, we didn’t yield.”
This time around, there’s no doubt where Trump is.
“Every single Biden attack on gun owners and manufacturers will be terminated on my very first week back in office,” he added.
Nationally, it’s a sad state of affairs on both abortion rights and gun safety. We must face the reality created by this election: For the next two years, the best path for progress runs through the various state capitals.
Scot Lehigh is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at scot.lehigh@globe.com. Follow him @GlobeScotLehigh.
[ad_2]
Source link
Your passion for your subject matter shines through in every post. It’s clear that you genuinely care about sharing knowledge and making a positive impact on your readers. Kudos to you!
Your writing has a way of making even the most complex topics accessible and engaging. I’m constantly impressed by your ability to distill complicated concepts into easy-to-understand language.
Simply wish to say your article is as amazing The clearness in your post is just nice and i could assume youre an expert on this subject Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work
Thank you I have just been searching for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far However what in regards to the bottom line Are you certain concerning the supply
hiI like your writing so much share we be in contact more approximately your article on AOL I need a specialist in this area to resolve my problem Maybe that is you Looking ahead to see you
Your blog is a testament to your dedication to your craft. Your commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of your writing. Thank you for being such a positive influence in the online community.
Bwer Company is a top supplier of weighbridge truck scales in Iraq, providing a complete range of solutions for accurate vehicle load measurement. Their services cover every aspect of truck scales, from truck scale installation and maintenance to calibration and repair. Bwer Company offers commercial truck scales, industrial truck scales, and axle weighbridge systems, tailored to meet the demands of heavy-duty applications. Bwer Company’s electronic truck scales and digital truck scales incorporate advanced technology, ensuring precise and reliable measurements. Their heavy-duty truck scales are engineered for rugged environments, making them suitable for industries such as logistics, agriculture, and construction. Whether you’re looking for truck scales for sale, rental, or lease, Bwer Company provides flexible options to match your needs, including truck scale parts, accessories, and software for enhanced performance. As trusted truck scale manufacturers, Bwer Company offers certified truck scale calibration services, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Their services include truck scale inspection, certification, and repair services, supporting the long-term reliability of your truck scale systems. With a team of experts, Bwer Company ensures seamless truck scale installation and maintenance, keeping your operations running smoothly. For more information on truck scale prices, installation costs, or to learn about their range of weighbridge truck scales and other products, visit Bwer Company’s website at bwerpipes.com.
I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now, and I’m continually impressed by the quality of your content. Your ability to blend information with entertainment is truly commendable.
Your writing is a true testament to your expertise and dedication to your craft. I’m continually impressed by the depth of your knowledge and the clarity of your explanations. Keep up the phenomenal work!
Your blog has quickly become one of my favorites. Your writing is both insightful and thought-provoking, and I always come away from your posts feeling inspired. Keep up the phenomenal work!
BWER leads the way in weighbridge technology in Iraq, delivering customized weighing solutions that are accurate, efficient, and ideal for heavy-duty use in any environment.
Choose BWER for trusted weighbridge systems in Iraq, offering customized solutions to optimize your industrial operations and ensure precise weight measurement every time.
BWER empowers businesses in Iraq with cutting-edge weighbridge systems, ensuring accurate load management, enhanced safety, and compliance with industry standards.
BWER Company stands as a trusted name in Iraq’s weighbridge industry, offering innovative designs, reliable installations, and comprehensive support for all weighing requirements.