Well, Robert Page, I thought I’d research abortion rates in the United States, as you feel it is “the single defining issue of your generation.” I question that is true, but let’s take a look.

During the last 30 years, abortion rates have fallen the most under Democratic presidents.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates per every 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44 are as follows:

Reagan (1981-89): 24

H.W. Bush (1989-93): 24

Clinton (1993-2001): 16.2

W. Bush (2001-09): 16

Obama (2009-17): 12.5 (almost half of what it was under Reagan)

You say “political correctness has destroyed our ability to seek common dialog.” So, here is your chance to engage civilly. Dismissing the facts as fake news isn’t an option.

You distastefully throw around “ultra-liberal” labels, so I guess your anti-abortion views have you firmly in the camp of the Republican Party.

Mr. Page, you may want to rethink your political alignment, because more abortions happen under Republicans.

Why? Because the Republican approach to stopping abortion is regulation. Interesting stance for the hands-off business party. They fight against economic prosperity for middle- and lower-class workers, birth control, and good health care for families.

What is more effective in reducing abortions? Economic stability, affordable family planning/birth control, and quality health care. The very things Republicans fight AGAINST. Well over half of the nationwide decline between 2011 and 2017 occurred in states that DID NOT enact new family planning and abortion restrictions.

If your stance on the travesty of abortion is just that and not about anything else, then, indeed, fighting for Democratic Party principles is the only way you can correct your ultimate hypocrisy. Your words not mine.

KATHLEEN BOWER,

Alpena